While the top-plate operational buttons are on the large side, they’re not especially outsized, so you won’t feel out of place operating this camera on dry land as well as in the wet. My solution was to keep using iPhones 8/8+ for most situations and a GoPro Hero5 for those moments when using the iPhone could be dangerous.

The lens ring on the TG-6 is only cosmetic and has no effect on the waterproof or dustproof ability of the camera.With people increasingly happy to rely on their smartphone for everyday snaps these days, if you see a point-and-shoot compact at all it’s likely to be one of two things: an instant camera that outputs Polaroid-style prints, or, as with the new Olympus TG-6, a toughened camera that you’d dare to use in scenarios where you wouldn’t otherwise risk your handset. In other words, there needs to be a good reason for its existence. We’ve never seen an image from a toughened camera rival one from a DSLR or mirrorless model that could be bought for around the same price, and it's the same story here. While the TG-6's rugged specs are very impressive, when it comes to going underwater, several of its peers can go quite a bit deeper, with the Nikon Coolpix W300 (arguably the TG-6's closest competitor) able to function down to 30 meters (100 feet). If you're a snorkeler, that's no big deal, but for scuba it's a very desirable trait.

The only major advance from previous Tough model is arguably the ability to shoot video at up to 4K resolution at 30fps, although there are also new underwater modes (three choices, rather than just one), macro photo options (allowing captures as close as 1cm), plus an improved LCD screen resolution at 1.04 million dots. The waiting time, number of shots and focus steps can be set after selecting in the sub mode. In (Shooting menu 2), select Focus BKT. When the following setting is On, the Date Stamp function is turned off. The Date icon on the monitor disappears. (The Date Stamp cannot be set to On in the menu.) Pop Art (I, II), Soft Focus, Pale&Light Color (I, II), Light Tone, Grainy Film (I, II), Pin Hole (I, II, III), Diorama (I, II), Cross Process (I, II), Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone (I, II), Key Line (I, II), Watercolor (I, II), Vintage (I, II, III), Partial Color (I, II, III), Bleach Bypass (I, II), Instant FilmOlympus offers a huge number of accessories, including an underwater housing that lets the camera go 15 meters (50 feet) deeper, wide-angle and fisheye conversion lenses, the ability to wirelessly fire Olympus's flashes (which need to be in housings too, of course) and much more. You cannot include the date and time later using the camera function if your pictures are taken with the Date Stamp set to Off. The combined SD card and battery compartment at the TG-6’s base, and the side compartment that houses HDMI and USB ports, are protected by doors with a double-catch mechanism to prevent them from being opened accidentally underwater, or at another inopportune moment.

For those in the first group, the TG-6's auto mode can handle just about every situation, and its numerous scene modes are well organized. Going underwater? Just choose the 'fish' spot on the mode dial, where you'll find five choices that match the situation you're in. It is a shame that Olympus did not create a simplified version of its menu system for more novice users, who are likely to be overwhelmed by the options and organization. Tough cameras, Oly and other brands, show mushy details that look really bad even without enlarging, specially in foliage and other fine structures.Lastly, the TG-6's host of close-up features not only allow for capturing subjects 1cm (0.4") away: the 'digital microscope' mode lets you zoom in up to four times more, though with a reduction in image quality. Olympus sells a ring light and flash diffuser to add flexibility to your macro photography. At the end of his review Jeff Kellers conclusion is "Not good for those who want smartphone IQ or better...", completely agree. Turn the mode dial to (Underwater mode) for underwater photography. Select the appropriate shooting mode from (Underwater Snapshot), (Underwater Wide), (Underwater Macro) and (Underwater Microscope) and (Underwater HDR) using the arrow pad Right and Left button or the control dial. When the pictures are taken with the Date Stamp function set to On, the date and time is imprinted on the captured pictures.