OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, Red

Product Information

Yes. Panasonic Lumix G cameras are also part of the Micro Four Thirds standard, meaning that Panasonic Lumix G, Olympus and OM-SYSTEM cameras and lenses can all be used interchangeably. However, there’s a reason we’re specifying ‘Lumix G’ there – Panasonic also offers its full-frame line of Lumix S cameras, with Lumix S lenses to match. This system uses the ‘L’ lens mount, which was born part of an alliance between Panasonic, Leica and Sigma. Bear in mind that features like stabilisation are sometimes less effective when you’re mixing and matching brands – if you’re using a stabilised camera and lens from the same maker, they can often work in tandem to deliver a more powerful effect. It does shoot video in 4K however only at 15fps making this recording mode somewhat limited. However, a great feature is that this camera can shoot a burst mode with up to 15 frames per second. This is great if you are shooting fast-paced action or adventuring. The comparison between the TG-3 and the Canon D30 is almost inevitable and there are pros and cons to both cameras. Bear in mind that, as of the time this article was written, the Olympus TG-3 was already old news, in the terms of the digital camera market. Released over one year prior, this camera still manages to score highly, both when compared to other models within the same price range, as well as in comparison to similar cameras. It comes with an impressively large 3in screen and a uniquely wide aperture (f/2.0) for its class. It can shoot high speed movies, at 240fps and also allows landscape enthusiasts to combine several pictures into a dramatically impressive panoramic view. Enthusiasts of this camera boast its battery life, which at 320 pictures when the Li-ion battery is full, stands out as above average. The in-camera editing mode allows users to create HDR quality photos, by overlaying several exposures of the same shot. And if you’re keen on capturing details of your over-ground and underwater adventures, you’ll be happy to learn that the 1cm macro mode can reveal some hidden gems. The camera also comes with a fairly decent built-in GPS which will serve as useful guidance in your travels, making it a really godd Olympus waterproof camera for adventures and hikes.

When testing waterproof cameras we pay particular attention to how easy they are to use when using them underwater, where camera controls are not a straightforward to see or use. The W300 can capture video at up to 4K at 30 fps, and will even let you shoot and save stills in the middle of recording a video. We liked the variety of video settings, including time-lapse and superlapse movie mode.This little camera has a range of shooting modes including a number of different macro modes and underwater modes. These modes allow for underwater microscope and white balance management. If the snow and cold are your destinations, then the XP140 will endure temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). The RX0 II includes exciting video features, including high frame rate video at up to 1000 frames per second (at 1,136 x 384 resolution), 4K/30p video with S-Log2 gamma, uncompressed 4:2:2 over HDMI. However, you likely won’t be doing that underwater. The RX0 II also includes remote control functionality. Sony RX0 II | Image credit: Sony Olympus achieved the seemingly impossible and created a camera that was one step ahead of customer demands. The AF-1 was a hit. It also ushered in a new era and injected new energy into the production organization, which experienced the joy of creating technology. The waterproofing technology used in the AF-1 has become part of the Olympus heritage and has evolved into the technology behind today's waterproof cameras, which can take photographs underwater, and Olympus has established a reputation as a manufacturer of waterproof cameras.

Using a free app, the Vaquita can automatically start and stop recordings when it reaches specific depths. The camera records 4K/60p and 1080/240p video using a 12-megapixel image sensor and a built-in lens with a 135-degree field of view. The camera has a small 0.95-inch OLED display. Investing in a quality product that is as tough and capable as the TG-6, will be well worth it when you see the images and videos it can deliver. The OM-1 was a huge hit with reviewers and consumers alike, so the OM System era got off to a good start –but the OM-5 wasn't quite so warmly welcomed. Whether it's the OM-10 or PEN-F II7, whatever comes next will be crucial in cementing public perception of the brand. Overall the camera delivers what it promises and is one of the best waterproof cameras for all purposes. The Coolpix W300 does feature video recording with 4K @ 30p which is good to see given that this camera is on the higher side of the price range.

If you haven’t spent all your money on the camera – which has a 25% premium over the TG-6 – add-on accessories include underwater housing that extends waterproofing depths to 45m, and a ring light that fixes around the lens and can add a little fill light for punchy macro shots. With the Olympus OM-D E-M1X, you’ll need to hunt around on the second-hand market. Credit: Andy Westlake

The Olympus TG-6 was our favorite waterproof compact camera - and this has now been reborn as the OM System TG-7. It is pretty much identical - but that is a good thing in our book, and ensures this newer version remains at the top of our recommendations for a rugged camera. Features we love include the built-in microscope setting that allows you to take amazing close-ups - and a Field Sensor System that records GPS coordinates and ambient temperature with your shots. However, as mentioned before, the image quality or versatility may not match that of more conventional cameras like DSLRs or mirrorless systems, mainly due to their fixed lenses and sometimes smaller sensors. On the plus side we found this camera to support a huge range of useful additional photographic features like its in-body stabilisation (up to 7.5 stops), support an efficient continuous autofocus and subject detection mode, and put out excellent JPEGs that are accurate in colour exposure. However on the down side the lower ISO range compared to its peers was disappointing as well as its bulky and heavier body build compared with other Micro Four Thirds cameras in the Olympus range.I've mentioned the in-camera GPS, temperature, air pressure, and altitude measurements, but the TG-7 can also display a compass on the rear display; just press the Info button when the camera is off. Sony’s unique cube-like RX0 II camera is tough, tiny, and delivers premium image and video quality. Featuring a relatively large 1.0-type image sensor and Zeiss Tessar T* built-in lens, the RX0 II is an interesting option for underwater photography and video applications. In still photography, it can deliver great image quality through a variety of camera modes. The lens is digital and the focal distance and field of view can be altered through a menu function on the touch screen. The four modes are Narrow, Wide, Linear and SuperView.

Noise (DxO Analyzer):We use the dynamic range transmissive chart to analyze the signal-to-noise ratio for RAW and JPG files at every sensitivity setting using DxO Analyzer. A higher value means the signal is cleaner. The 15.3-megapixel sensor captures RAW and JPEG images, and the built-in lens has an f/4 max aperture. These aren’t especially impressive figures on paper, but Sony’s imaging technology is among the best on the market thanks to Bionz X image processing and Zeiss image quality.

How to choose the best waterproof cameras and housings

Resolution (ISO-12233):We use a resolution chart based on ISO-12233 from Applied Image inc to indicate the limit of the camera’s vertical resolution at the centre of the frame. The higher the value, the better the detail resolution. OM Digital torture tests its cameras, and the OM-1 is the only interchangeable lens camera on the market with an IP53 rating. IP stands for “ingress protection,” and an IP53 rating means that the OM-1 can operate with water falling onto it as a spray at an angle of up to 60 degrees. No, you can’t take it underwater, but that’s about the only place that the OM-1 can’t handle. This compact little camera is best placed around the entry-level point of the waterproof digital camera market. That in no way is an indication of its capabilities as it impresses in every way.