Olympus' latest everything-proof outdoor camera looks suspiciously similar to the last one, but that's no bad thing
Images: 43 Rumors
Images and specifications have leaked for Olympus' latest outdoor camera: the waterproof, freezeproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof Olympus Stylus Tough TG-6.
While the company is best known for its range of Micro Four Thirds bodies, Olympus' Tough series is regarded among the highest in the industry when it comes to rugged performers, comprising some of the best waterproof cameras.
In fact, we know of one very senior executive at a rival manufacturer who actually buys Olympus Tough cameras instead of the outdoor cameras made by his own company!
Leaked image of the Olympus Tough TG-g (image: 43 Rumors)
The leak of the latest model, the Olympus Tough TG-6, comes courtesy of 43 Rumors. As is the norm for this product line, the updates appear to be iterative – there's nothing earth-shatteringly new here, and the specs largely seem to be carried over from the Olympus Tough TG-5.
This means that the TG-6 contains a similar (if not the same) 1/2.3-inch 12MP image sensor as its predecessor, rather than the 16MP sensor possessed by the TG-4 and earlier cameras.
The lower resolution is mitigated by the improved low light performance that produces better images not only in typical environments with limited illumination, but also when it comes to taking photographs underwater where there is inherently less light.
Leaked image of the Olympus Tough TG-g (image: 43 Rumors)
(Much like the Panasonic GH5S, which adopted a 10MP sensor instead of the 20MP sensor of its sister model, the lower resolution results in larger individual photosites that can gather more light, hence better low light performance.)
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Likewise, most of the key specs are the same as the TG-5; the camera features the latest TruePic VIII processor, has a focal length of 25mm to 100mm (full-frame equivalent), a 3-inch touchscreen with 1,040k-dots, shoots 4K video up to 30fps, and is waterproof to 50ft / 15m, freezeproof to 14°F / -10°C, crushproof to 220lbf / 100kgf, and shockproof from 7ft / 2.13m.
Leaked image of the Olympus Tough TG-g (image: 43 Rumors)
The only changes we can see from the TG-5 are a slightly bigger and higher resolution screen, a new Super Macro mode, and High Speed Movie modes that can record 20-second clips at 120fps in 1080p (or 240fps at 720p, or 480fps at 360p).
Could this be the ultimate camera for the summer? We eagerly await official word from Olympus so we can find out…
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes.
