The battery is charged while it sits inside the camera via a combination of a USB lead and mains plug connector, rather than a separate mains charger being provided (although one is available). This both keeps the cost down, and allows for the device to be charged on the fly from a laptop. Fine, if we have to gripe, we do wish OM System could have found room to include the newer style of menus brought in with the OM-1, rather than relying on the old Olympus menu system, in which features can often be maddeningly difficult to find. Softening the blow a little is the MyMenu section, which does make it easier to jump to your preferred functions. Its plastic outer case, meanwhile, protects against sand and splashes. Loaded with ISO400 film, up to 27 exposures are provided. This one can’t be used as deep as some alternatives, as it’s waterproofed to just three metres, but that should make it just fine for pool use. How to choose the best waterproof camera Yes. Panasonic Lumix G cameras are also part of the Micro Four Thirds standard, meaning that Panasonic Lumix G, Olympus and OM-SYSTEM cameras and lenses can all be used interchangeably. However, there’s a reason we’re specifying ‘Lumix G’ there – Panasonic also offers its full-frame line of Lumix S cameras, with Lumix S lenses to match. This system uses the ‘L’ lens mount, which was born part of an alliance between Panasonic, Leica and Sigma. Bear in mind that features like stabilisation are sometimes less effective when you’re mixing and matching brands – if you’re using a stabilised camera and lens from the same maker, they can often work in tandem to deliver a more powerful effect.

Image quality is reasonable for a camera with a 1/2.3-inch sensor, although overexposure and blown highlights can be seen in some images, and there's a loss of detail at the telephoto end of the lens. Colors are nice and rich, though, and the inclusion of raw shooting gives you the option to fine-tune your images later. We test camera resolution, dynamic range and noise under scientifically controlled conditions using two key testing tools: Imatest Master and DxO Analyzer. All DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are subjected to these tests and, in some instances, high-end compact cameras. For a start, it’s very light, weighing in at just 337g body-only (and there are plenty of MFT lenses that won’t add a lot to that total). It’s a sprightly shooter, able to manage up to 8.7fps with its mechanical shutter or up to 15fps if you switch to the electronic. It’s an ideal choice for those who don’t want to spend too much time editing their images in post-processing – the JPEG output is first-rate, and it also includes a number of stylish monochrome and colour picture profiles for giving your images a specific look. You'll also want to consider where you plan to use the camera. If you're snorkeling, then a waterproof camera that's good to 50 feet should suffice. But, if you're planning on taking it scuba diving, you'll want something that can go deeper. The OM System OM-10 is the next camera expected to be announced. Following the transmogrification of the Olympus OM-D EM-1 and E-M5 to the OM System OM-1 and OM-5, now it's the turn of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV to be reborn.One of the great features of the Tough TG-4 camera was its lens, which Olympus has kept for TG-5. The 4x optical zoom lens gives you a 35mm equivalent of 25-100mm. That should be flexible enough for most everyday situations, giving you scope to capture both lovely wide landscape vistas, and to zoom in to get closer to the action. Not only that, but at the widest point of the lens, it has a maximum aperture of f/2.0 – that’s super handy when shooting in lower light conditions, such as underwater. 3. Rugged credentials Although this camera is not the most recent, the features and technology included are still very much impressive. This includes its 5-axis in-body stabilisation, 4K video, fully articulated touchscreen and 121 AF point feature.

Which perhaps means that the E-PL series isn't done yet. The line saw annual (if incremental) updates every year from 2016 to 2019, culminating in the Olympus PEN E-PL10. These were consistently among the best-selling cameras in Japan and Asia, but that gangbusters business wasn't really replicated in the West. One of the big improvements for this model over the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4 is in its video capability. While the previous model could record Full HD video, the TG-5 can now record in the ultra-high resolution 4K video mode – making it ideal for capturing all of your precious adventure memories. Another exciting new feature is 120fps Full HD movie recording, meaning you can capture ultra-slow motion video for a fun and intriguing effect, which showcases your adventures in a special way. 8. Macro It also pairs perfectly with Olympus' lineup of f/1.2 Pro primes and super-small telephoto zooms, which can feel unbalanced on smaller bodies without a grip. If you need a big body for big lenses, and big battery life for big shooting sessions, this is the Oly for you– I took it with me to Africa on a photo safari, and it was a phenomenal performer. Other impressive features the E-M1 Mark III includes are a 4K movie shooting mode, 121-point superfast phase detection AF and an incredibly effective 5-axis in-body stabilisation. For those photographers whose profession takes them out and about such as wildlife and sport we also found the sturdy extensive weather sealed body to live up to its promise.

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While the image quality from the TG-6 is fine, modern smartphones will surpass it in most situations, though once downsized to social media resolutions, it's less noticeable. But, remember, your phone isn't exactly rugged. While out-of-camera JPEGs have pleasant colors *, the lens just isn't very sharp and too much noise reduction is applied. Turning down the 'noise filter' option helps a bit, but if you're up to the challenge of processing the results, shooting Raw is the way to get the most out of the TG-6. Either way, OM Digital said that the PEN line is alive. And in fact, the E-P7 was the first camera released under the new ownership. We wouldn't be at all surprised to see an OM System E-P8 or an OM System E-PL11 –or even to see them receive new names. The OM System verdict 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. 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. Whether you're jetting off to white sandy beaches, heading white water rafting, or even just shooting somewhere you know it rains a lot investing in a waterproof camera is a wise idea. Image quality is so much better than it used to be and they're not even that expensive.