Home > Consumer Reviews > Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 12 MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Wide Angle Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)

I have a digital SLR and wanted a hand held camera, we now have a toddler and with everything that must be carried we just didn't have enough space to always take the SLR. We also wanted a tough camera because, well, we have a toddler. This camera by far exceeded my expectations for a hand held. You can adjust the ISO, white balance, and even do pixel mapping...granted it doesn't give as much user manipulation as the SLR but it's more than I expected.

It has 19 automatic settings ie: Portrait, landscape, sport etc. (including 4 underwater settings), it has a better than average close up (even good with documentation photos), it allows you to set the depth (underwater) at which you are taking photos, it has a shadow reducer, image stabilizer, and even a beautifying option that softens the portrait after you take it. I've taken many pictures in the pool and they are very good (better than disposable underwater cameras) but have yet to try it out in natural water (it's also ok to use in sea water).

The down points in my opinion... It has a tap function (where you can tap parts of the camera to take photos/manipulate the camera). It is very difficult to learn and doesn't work all that well in my experience. The problem is, it turns itself on very easily and you have to go to the menu to turn it off. The dial that moves the settings from automatic, to video camera, to playback, etc moves very easily and can be moved accidently. This happened to me quite a few times. The camera is bump proof but definitely not scratch proof. My toddler has dropped and tossed it a couple of times and it's survived wonderfully...but it's scratched like crazy. The zoom isn't great...but to be able to survive the water it has to be encased...the camera is a 12 mp so it's not that big of a deal...just mentioning it. Also the video camera just isn't all that great. It doesn't allow you to zoom at all, it's a bit grainy in low light, and you only have the choice to set it as underwater or dry.

In my opinion these aren't deal breakers...just annoyances. If you are looking for a great point and shoot, that can survive bumps and bruises and also works underwater (up to 33 ft) I definitely recommend this one.

This camera is me-proof, I have go through 4 digital camera before I realized it was time to fork over the extra cash to get one that is destruction-proof. The beauty feature is pretty cool and makes great pics for facebook. 100% worth every dime!

I bought it for Hawaii trip. I like it so much for snorkeling pictures, but it's not fast enough for motion pictures.

I bought this camera for my vacation to Hawaii. I knew I was going to be doing a great deal of water activities and wanted to make sure I could capture all the fun and memories.

The camera itself took quite nice photos, until it died after getting wet once. I took the camera snorkeling at Molokini crater in Maui. Since I was snorkeling the camera was only a few feet underwater, nowhere close to the 10m (33f) depth the camera is supposed to be able to be waterproof too.

After one use, the camera lens got drops of water "trapped" behind it. Which could clearly be seen in both the LCD and photos taken. The back LCD also appears to have allowed water to seep in and to add final insult to injury, the unit stopped powering on shortly afterwards.

I made sure to follow all instructions. I even brought them with me on holiday, to ensure proper use of the camera. Since this was a once in a lifetime vacation for me, I wanted to guarantee I'd have wonderful photos for years to come.

Instead I had a $400 paperweight. What's most upsetting are all the lost photos (memories). I was unable to get photos of my kayaking, waterfall and snuba adventures (to name a few) later in the trip. I am not sure if the unit I had was just defective or if their is a larger problem with these cameras in general.

But really when it comes to your vacation or other special event do you really want to chance having a defective camera? Please I urge you do not trust your treasured moments and photos to this camera, or Olympus.

This camera was bought for the sole purpose of capturing all the fun memories of my holiday. Instead it's now a constant reminder of all the lost photos (memories).

I returned the camera to Olympus to be repaired (at a cost of $20). I was sent an email shortly after sending the unit in for repair. With an "offer" to swap the defective unit for a new (or refurb) model for an additional cost!?! The unit died the first time it was used, and they want me to pay for another one?

The camera was returned back to me, no paperwork was provided as to what caused the problem, and what (if anything) was done to fix the unit. Right now the battery is charging and I pray it will power on.

I wish I had never bought this camera. I'm out $400 for the camera, and I don't have any photos from my vacation.

Used this camera two times previous for about 40 pictures total. Tried to use it on a kayak trip and the lens cover only opened about halfway and jammed open crooked. After pushing cover all the way open, it would not power up. Two others on the trip had the same camera and commented on the same problem and also poor quality pictures. I will give the camera a second chance, but I don't have my hopes up at this point.