Tough cameras, Oly and other brands, show mushy details that look really bad even without enlarging, specially in foliage and other fine structures. Tip: Try to shoot in 'P' mode if you can, as the 'i-Enhance' color profile in Auto mode is over-the-top, to say the least. Pop Art (I, II), Soft Focus, Pale&Light Color (I, II), Light Tone, Grainy Film (I, II), Pin Hole (I, II, III), Diorama (I, II), Cross Process (I, II), Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone (I, II), Key Line (I, II), Watercolor (I, II), Vintage (I, II, III), Partial Color (I, II, III) Its waterproof, drop-proof, crushproof and freeze-proof qualities aside, on first inspection the TG-6 doesn’t offer a massive amount more than those non-toughened compacts of old, the kind that smartphones gradually wiped out.

The waiting time, number of shots and focus steps can be set after selecting in the sub mode. In (Shooting menu 2), select Focus BKT. The OM System/Olympus Tough TG-6 was launched in 2019 and it’s still available from OM Digital Solutions which acquired Olympus’s imaging division in 2021. It is widely regarded as one of the best underwater / adventure compacts on the market. The latest addition to the Olympus Tough line-up is the recently announced OM System TG-7, which at first glance works with very similar specs as the TG-6. When the following setting is On, the Date Stamp function is turned off. The Date icon on the monitor disappears. (The Date Stamp cannot be set to On in the menu.) My solution was to keep using iPhones 8/8+ for most situations and a GoPro Hero5 for those moments when using the iPhone could be dangerous.

While the image quality from the TG-6 is fine, modern smartphones will surpass it in most situations, though once downsized to social media resolutions, it's less noticeable. But, remember, your phone isn't exactly rugged. While out-of-camera JPEGs have pleasant colors *, the lens just isn't very sharp and too much noise reduction is applied. Turning down the 'noise filter' option helps a bit, but if you're up to the challenge of processing the results, shooting Raw is the way to get the most out of the TG-6. When the mode dial is already set to (Microscope mode), press the arrow pad Left button to select other sub modes. The wide-angle 25mm-equivalent view the TG-6 provides inevitably delivers a slight fisheye effect when shooting close up at this widest setting, while we found that in particularly bright and sunny conditions images are close to overexposure, with a loss of highlight detail. Suitable for shooting underwater in dim light, optimizing flash mode, auto focus and white balance for the appropriate settings.

New to the Tough TG-6 are a slew of high-speed recording modes for video. In addition to being able to shoot 4K video at 30fps, it can also record 1080p up to 120fps, 720p at 240fps and 360p at 480fps. Underwater mode enables you to take underwater pictures in appropriate settings by selecting a sub mode best suited for the subject or scene. The TG-6 camera is waterproof up to depths of 15 meters without a separate sold underwater housing. For those in the first group, the TG-6's auto mode can handle just about every situation, and its numerous scene modes are well organized. Going underwater? Just choose the 'fish' spot on the mode dial, where you'll find five choices that match the situation you're in. It is a shame that Olympus did not create a simplified version of its menu system for more novice users, who are likely to be overwhelmed by the options and organization.

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iPhoneXSmax has two cameras with fixed lens at 26, 52mm equivalent, Oly's zoom power is 100mm equivalent. But you could use a 2x add on lens to reach that with your iPhone and keep much better IQ than the Oly. Pop Art (I, II), Soft Focus, Pale&Light Color (I, II), Light Tone, Grainy Film (I, II), Pin Hole (I, II, III), Diorama (I, II), Cross Process (I, II), Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone (I, II), Key Line (I, II), Watercolor (I, II), Vintage (I, II, III), Partial Color (I, II, III), Bleach Bypass (I, II), Instant Film While the top-plate operational buttons are on the large side, they’re not especially outsized, so you won’t feel out of place operating this camera on dry land as well as in the wet.

The in-camera flash offers a significant increase in the amount of light. This increase in light allows for usage of lower ISO settings and faster shutter speeds, as well as an increased working distance. The FD-1 can also be utilized under water. The camera's closest focusing distance to the subject is 2cm. The Olympus Tough TG-6 is the company's sixth-generation premium underwater camera. It features a 12 Megapixel sensor, 4X optical zoom lens, numerous sensors and, of course, serious protection against the elements. Key specifications In addition to lighting your subject while the image is taken, the LG-1 also assists in composing your image, as the constant light source illuminates the subject. When using the LG-1 the camera's closest focusing distance is 1 cm, allowing the camera to lay flat on the subject and still focus. The combined SD card and battery compartment at the TG-6’s base, and the side compartment that houses HDMI and USB ports, are protected by doors with a double-catch mechanism to prevent them from being opened accidentally underwater, or at another inopportune moment. The lens ring on the TG-6 is only cosmetic and has no effect on the waterproof or dustproof ability of the camera.When the pictures are taken with the Date Stamp function set to On, the date and time is imprinted on the captured pictures. close focus distance and IPX8 rating makes taking to the water a breeze. Olympus Tough TG-6, at 25mm 1/400sec. at f/8, ISO 100. Image credit: Kirk Schwarz. OM System Tough TG-6 Key Features: Ease of use –Embracing the point-and-shoot ethos, this camera makes unthinkable shots a reality. If you’re a veteran photographer looking for a holiday camera, you’ll instantly know your way around. If you’re completely new, however, menus and prompts will nudge you in the right direction for the perfect shot.

Of course it’s possible to manually dial down exposure or adjust the ISO setting if you realize this at the time of shooting, although bright conditions also affect the visibility of the LCD screen, which doesn't help matters. Image quality is reasonable for a camera with a 1/2.3-inch sensor, although overexposure and blown highlights can be seen in some images, and there's a loss of detail at the telephoto end of the lens. Colors are nice and rich, though, and the inclusion of raw shooting gives you the option to fine-tune your images later.Useful accessories (sold separately) are available to utilize the built-in flash or LED illuminator of the TG-6 for shooting in Microscope mode.