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)

Being in the military deployed several times in some really crappy places, I have gone though the cameras. Next to my rifle, this little camera has been one of the most used tools in my combat load. I can't wait to see how it works underwater on much needed R&R.

The Black version I have but would be happy with either one. The images are sharp and fast to focus compared to other Point N Shoots. The little sound speaker is weak by itself but hooked up to the tube it works fine. So far no problem with accidental battery door openings like I had with an earlier Olympus version. This camera has a nice sturdy feel and lots of settings and yes the tap function works well with nomex gloves.

The only thing that sometimes bothers me is that the lenz is in the upper left corner as you are shooting -- it's easy to get your finger in the picture if you dont hold it as indicated in the instructions. Normal center lenzes I haven't had that problem but this is minor issue cause now it's like I am aware of it.

12mp is huge for a field camera so I tend to use it more on the 5mp setting with the 2 gig xd card and the little neoprene case. It also comes with the xd adapter for the micro sd so that goes straight from the camera to phone slot for micro sd and using the SD adapter goes straight in the laptop port. No need to carry extra cables.

For the money, if you want a great camera in tough places, this is your best choice.

Awesome! Took it to the pool, six flags, etc. and the camera is still in one piece. I remember my old digital cameras who would be ruined just by a whale splash at Seaworld. Great pics at 12 megapixels. A++++ Kids resistant father's approved.
I forgot to close the charging port and the camera flooded and shorted when I jumped into the pool. I saw how it shorted and shutted off. I was sad since my previus Canon got fried just by a splash of keiko at seaworld. Well nevertheless, I let the camera drying for two days, with the ports (latches) open, in the heat (sitting in front of the dash on my windshield, the camera was burning but finally all of the fog was gone) I instered the battery and memory card and voila! The camera is working as new again, unbeliebable. The pictures may not be as good as my canon but oh man this camera is awesome!!!!!

Don't get me wrong. My wife is the light of my life. However, that woman is really tough on gadgets. We have had our hands on this little beauty of a camera for a few weeks now, and it is living up to its "tough" name.

First, if you buy one of these, make sure and get the upgraded memory card as well. With the amount of memory on board the camera, you can take about 14 pictures. Pick up a MicroSD card. The camera comes with the card adapter you need to plug it into the camera, so you don't need to pick one of those up as well. I got the Sandisk 16GB Microsd Card and it works like a champ and kicks that maximum number of pictures into the thousands!

We have used this camera now for two family outings and have found that the image stabilization works very well. Low light performance is average, with the flash you get the usual "over lit foreground, pitch black background" effect, but that is just about standard in an all in one camera like this. You would really have to step up to a full DSLR Nikon or Canon to expect more.

It is a bit heavier than you might expect, judging by its looks and dimensions. However, the ability of this camera to really take abuse and keep working makes it well worth that extra heft. As advertised, it will indeed take pictures under water. Well, okay, so maybe it was just me sticking it under the water in the bathtub - but I was bound and determined to test that underwater claim out and it was pretty much the first thing I did after opening the box.

The extra heft I mention has not put off my wife from the camera. She is a marathon/trail runner and takes it with her on her runs. No complaints so far.

The one complaint I do have is that since the lense is in a slightly non-standard position (upper right hand corner) folks who use it will often put their finger in front of the lense. The usual user has gotten used to the lense being position more in the center of the body of the camera.

Other than that, this camera has far more good to offer than bad and has so far proven to be the tough kid on the block when it comes to pocket cameras.

This is a terrible little camera. It takes forever to power up, doesn't focus well, takes miserable photos above water, tends to gather water drops on the lens that are hard to clear, can't be pointed anywhere near the sun without HUGE artifacts, has terrible underwater sound, and takes an eternity to take photos.

I've owned this and the canon powershot D10 and there is absolutely NO comparison. Get the canon. It's phenomenal by comparison.

The camera itself works fine, but there are two CONS you have to know:

- Its charger is awful, absolutely not travel friendly: about 4 ft of cables, like a laptop power supply;

- Underwater photography is complicated due two the screen low brightness under water. Even if you set the brightness to maximum, it is really difficult to see anything on the screen, especially when you are wearing a mask. I had to shoot on blind guess while snorkeling near Dry Tortugas and Key West.

It's not worth buying just for underwater shooting. The rest is OK.