Olympus TG-3 Stylus Tough Digital Camera

For 2014, Olympus announced its flagship rugged compact digital camera, the 16-megapixel STYLUS TOUGH TG-3 for $350. It features a high-speed f2.0 lens (25mm–100mm), expanded macro photography capabilities, GPS, and built-in Wi-Fi, and 1080p Full HD Video from anywhere.

The all-weather compact camera is freezeproof to -10° (14°F), waterproof to 50 feet (15 m), shockproof from seven feet (2.1 m), crushproof to 220 pounds (100 kgf) and dustproof. A high-speed f2.0–4.9, 4.5–8.0mm (25mm–100mm) wide-aperture lens combined with its TruePic VII image processor, and a 16.0 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor captures images with minimal noise, even in low-light situations.

The Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-3 includes built-in Wi-Fi, and the setup is simple. By quickly scanning the QR code displayed on the camera’s LCD with a smart device, it syncs with the Wi-Fi network created by the camera. The free Olympus Image Share app synchronizes a user’s iOS or Android mobile device and the STYLUS TOUGH TG-3 so that the camera’s Live View is displayed on the phone. Therefore, the camera can be fully controlled remotely by touching the Smartphone’s display, as if it were the camera itself, and users can send selected images directly to websites and social media.

Users can use the on-board GPS to document a memorable location on the map and display and record landmark information with every shot. The built-in manometer records elevation and water depth and displays a warning when the user approaches a depth of 50 feet. The e-compass offers information on direction, latitude and longitude.

The Variable Macro System includes the Microscope mode to capture photos up to 10mm away from subjects, and at a focal length of 100mm, the lens magnifies subjects up to 6.9x and up to 13.8x with Super Resolution Zoom. With that power, a subject only 1mm in size is magnified up to a maximum of approximately 44.4mm when displayed on the rear LCD screen. The Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-3 reveals a new world of detail not visible to the naked eye, like the veins on a leaf or a snowflake.

The new Focus Stacking function captures eight different shots continuously, while shifting the focus from the foreground to the background. It extracts and merges only those areas of each image that are in focus and produces a single photo with a focus that spans several centimeters. Focus bracketing is also available for post-processing. Underwater Macro, a new Scene Mode option, uses the Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-3’s powerful macro photography capabilities to optimize the white balance, color saturation and contrast in underwater scenes.

The Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-3’s sleek and stylish body features an ergonomic grip, large buttons and a 3-inch, high-resolution 460,000-dot rear LCD monitor. Its time-lapse movie function enables expanded creative capability for capturing everything from star trails to the sunrise and sunset. Use the interval shooting function for automatic sequential shooting from 1 second up to 24 hours with a maximum of 99 shots, extremely useful when the camera is mounted on a helmet, bike, kayak or surfboard. Multiple Art Filters and the Photo Story feature add creativity to any shot.

An LED ring light (sold separately) can be attached to the lens of the Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-3, similar to a ring flash with an emitter around the lens. Using the built-in LED light, it evenly illuminates the subject when shooting close-up, drawing out the best of the STYLUS TOUGH TG-3’s macro photography abilities. A rich lineup of optional system accessories, including waterproof fisheye and tele converter lenses, an underwater protector, float straps and multipurpose camera cases are sold separately.

Pricing and Availability
The Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-3 will be available in June 2014 for $349.99 (black or red).