olympus tg-860 tough waterproof digital camera with 3-inch lcd pricelist

The Olympus TOUGH TG860 is a water-proof, shock-proof, freeze-proof and dust-proof compact. Launched in April 2015 it’s an update to the year-old TG850 iHS. It retains the earlier model’s 16 Megapixel CMOS sensor and the 21-105mm equivalent optical zoom, still the widest lens available on any waterproof compact. Also retained is the 3 inch 460k dot LCD screen which can flip forward for selfie shooting.

Wifi and GPS are new and the TG860 is even more rugged than its predecessor, being waterproof down to 15 metres compared to 10 metres for the TG850 iHS. There are also some new customisable buttons, enhanced continuous shooting options and new shooting modes.

Aside from the fact that it lacks RAW and costs around 20 percent less, what sets the TG860 apart from its more expensive stablemate, the TOUGH TG4, is primarily its super-wide angle lens and forward-facing screen which makes it much better suited for sports and action selfies. But it’s not limited to selfies and in some respects the screen and lens make it better suited to all kinds of outdoor photography. In my review I’ve tested and compared it to the TG4 as well as Nikon’s premium rugged waterproof compact the COOLPIX AW130. Read on to find out which is the best rugged water-proof compact for your kind of outdoor photography.

PLEASE READ MY UPDATE BELOW - I"VE CHANGED MY MIND.This is a great camera if you want to take basic photos anywhere. I was hoping to not have to rely on my cellphone for kayaking and biking photos. I also paint on canvas using my photography and my phone has been perfect for that. So I"m disappointed. I did a lot of research before I bought it.Pros - Incredibly sturdy and fairly easy to use. It is indeed waterproof and I think it is a good size. You can see it underwater and it works under water.Cons - Maybe its me but it takes so so photos. I used both my cell (Samsung S5) and this camera at the same time on occasions to see if there was a difference. I believe there is. I can take on the fly sunrise shots at the beach with birds flying by (generis setting) and capture beautiful pictures with an airborn bird frozen mid flight. TG-860 The same picture with have far less color (programmed or in auto) and the birds are just a blurr. (I put both photos into the Olympus app on my computer so I could put them here.)Bottom line if you just wantto capture a moment or even a video this camera will do especially in weather extremes or in the water. If you want to take really beautiful pictures on the fly, use your phone. You"ll risk losing your phone however.Pictures below are essentially a side by side comparison. The first is my Samsung Galaxy S5. The one on the right is this TG-860 camera. You get what you pay for I suppose.UPDATE AUGUST 31, 2015I must have been doing something wrong with my earlier pictures. I have taken a lot more pictures since my earlier review and I have to admit I"m getting better shots. I am also getting more comfortable with the settings but "auto" tends to wirk for most shots on the fly. So I am liking this camera more every time I use it. I often have it mounted on my kayak and I even filmed my first dolphins while kayaking. So if you are still tossing the coin on getting one of these, I feel comfortable suggesting you buy one. I convinced a kayak buddy to get one and she is a very good photographer and likes it as much as her fancy Nikon DSLR she paid several times more to take similar pictures. I suggest reading the instructions and figure out what works best for you. It also downloads using WiFi quite well. The last 4 pictures were taken within the last week mounted on a bobbing kayak using one hand. So hopefully you can makea better decision after reading this.

The Olympus TG-860 features a 3-inch, 460,000-dot LCD capable of flipping up all the way to 180 degrees for easy selfies, identical to last year"s model. As with the TG-850, it’s worth noting the rugged aspect of the camera only remains intact when the screen is closed against the camera.

As alluded to previously, Olympus improved upon the TG-850’s diving capabilities. The TG-860 is now waterproof down to 50 feet (15m), an improvement of 17 feet (5m). The remaining durability features however stay the same: shockproof from 7 feet (2.1m), crushproof up to 220 pounds (100kgf), freezeproof down to 14° F (-10°C) and dustproof.

The Olympus TG-860 is a 16-megapixel compact camera that is waterproof to a depth of 15m, shockproof from 2.1m, freezeproof to -10 °C and crushproof up to 100kg. The TG-860 features a 21-105mm zoom lens, improved video capture options, GPS with multiple satellite system support, built-in Wi-Fi, a variety of shooting modes, a 180-degree flip LCD, two customisable function buttons and Full HD video capture at 60 frames per second. Available in white, orange or black, the Olympus TG-860 costs around £230 /$250.

It’s worth noting that, in an age when most compact point and shoots have been killed off by the camera facilities of our smartphones, the toughened qualities of the Olympus TG-860, perhaps more than any other factor, give it reason to still exist. For the record, the TG-860 is claimed to be waterproof to depths of 15 metres, shockproof against drops from 2.1 metres in height, crush-proofed to withstand pressures equivalent to 100kg, plus also freeze proof down to -10°C. Like the OM-D range, the camera also comes with body integral 5-axis image stabilisation in an attempt to deliver blur free photography and video (here at capture rates up to 60fps). Handy, as there is not much in the way of a handgrip provided on this almost completely flat-fronted camera. Nevertheless the TG-860 feels reassuringly solid when gripped in the palm, with no discernable ‘give’ to the bodywork if squeezed particularly tightly.

As one would expect, the Olympus TG-860 is Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with the free-to-download Olympus OI Share app. It also offers up built-in GPS, whilst at its heart is a TruePic VII processor wedded to that 16MP CMOS chip. Full HD videos are included as standard, at up to 60fps and with stereo sound, as is the regulation slow motion video mode for sports fanatics and dedicated selfie mode for narcissists. Also useful for this purpose is the 3-inch back plate LCD, that can be flipped up to face the subject. Resolution is a standard 460K dots.

Moving to examine the rear of the TG-860, and more than four fifths of the camera’s back plate is taken over by a large, tilting LCD screen that seems to exist purely for the taking of self portraits, as it flips upwards to face whatever is in front of the camera, but doesn’t tilt downwards or flip outwards to allow for further creative framing. On the plus side, this minimizes the potential for possible damage to hinges should the camera be dropped or take a knock – and there is potentially more creativity to be had than from a standard fixed screen.

To the right of said LCD is a selection of thumb-operated controls that will be immediately familiar to anyone who has handled a digital camera over the past 15 years. This includes the five pence piece sized shooting mode dial, with intelligent Auto (iAuto) and Program mode settings, sitting alongside a panorama option that automatically stitches together elongated shots in-camera, selectable scene modes, a dedicated Super Macro mode, plus sports and Art Filter digital effects modes; so far, so Olympus.

Playing with the Olympus TG-860 in the depths of an English winter, we were only able to test its waterproofing qualities when using it in the driving rain, and subsequently dunking it underwater in the bathroom, holding it under a running tap with the camera activated and its back screen visible. Happily the Olympus’ screen was still working after the fact, as was the camera itself. Though there were a couple of tiny beads of moisture around the seal, no droplets had made contact with any sensitive inner workings. What’s more, water droplets simply run off the camera’s fascia and lens, quickly leaving both facets clear and dry. We look forward to taking the camera on an extended test diving in the Caribbean …at a later date.

The Canon PowerShot D30 is an action compact camera that"s waterproof to an impressive 25m, as well as being dust, freeze and shock proof. The Canon D30 also offers12 megapixels, a 5x zoom, 1080p HD video, built-in GPS and a 3-inch screen. Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot D30 review now...

The Fujifilm FinePix XP80 is a tough water, freeze, shock and dust proof compact camera. The XP80 offers a 16.4 million pixel 1/2.3 inch BSI-CMOS sensor, built-in wi-fi, 10fps burst shooting, 1080i HD movies, a 5x zoom lens and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. Read our Fujifilm FinePix XP80 review now...

The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 updates the TG-850, and adds built in Wi-Fi and GPS, and increases the waterproof rating down to 15 metres, whilst other features remain the same, including the ultra-wide angle 21mm equivalent 5x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel sensor, and a tilting 3inch screen.

The Olympus TOUGH TG860 is a water-proof, shock-proof, freeze-proof and dust-proof compact. Launched in April 2015 it"s an update to the year-old TG850 iHS. It retains the earlier model"s 16 Megapixel CMOS sensor and the 21-105mm equivalent optical zoom, still the widest lens available on any waterproof compact. Also retained is the 3 inch 460k dot LCD screen which can flip forward for selfie shooting.

Whether you’re an extreme adventurer or a family on the go, a robust construction comes in handy. The TG-860 boosts waterproof capability to depths of 50 ft (15 m). It’s freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C), shockproof to 7 ft (2.1 m), crushproof to 220 lbf (100 kgf), and dustproof, so this camera will capture amazing photos in any condition.

All types of shots are easier than ever thanks to the fun-to-use 180° flip LCD monitor. Two custom function buttons, one on the front and one on the back, allow you to configure the shutter release and other controls for maximum convenience, enabling selfie shooting with either hand.

Whether you’re an extreme adventurer or a family on the go, a robust construction comes in handy. The TG-860 boosts waterproof capability to depths of 50 ft (15 m). It’s freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C), shockproof to 7 ft (2.1 m), crushproof to 220 lbf (100 kgf), and dustproof, so this camera will capture amazing photos in any condition.

All types of shots are easier than ever thanks to the fun-to-use 180° flip LCD monitor. Two custom function buttons, one on the front and one on the back, allow you to configure the shutter release and other controls for maximum convenience, enabling selfie shooting with either hand.