Good underwater

Thanks for the great review and sample pictures.

I have been using the TG-2 for a few weeks and I do agree with your conclusions. It's a very good camera if you keep in mind the limitations of the "underwater p&s" category it belongs to: no raw format, picture sharpness limited by the folded optics lens and by noise reduction (even at base ISO) due to the small size of the image sensor, weak flash.

Even though details appear somewhat smeared when pixel peeping at 1:1, image quality is nonetheless pretty impressive on prints - at least for pictures taken in good light. I made some prints on 329 x 483 mm (13 x 19") Pictorico paper and the pictures do look great with plenty of details and superb colors.

Concerning the "A" mode (aperture priority), I think the TG-2 lens assembly in fact uses a combined shutter/diaphragm with two "mechanical" aperture settings (wide open and 1 stop down), in order, as stated in your review, to limit diffraction. So you go from wide open to a second setting where the diaphragm is actually closed down 1 stop and then to a third setting (4 stops down from wide open) where a 3 EV neutral density filter is also applied.

You can verify this by shooting a newspaper double page with the lens at its widest setting and at full aperture (F/2.0) and then stopped down to F/2.8 as well as F/8. You will notice a sensible improvement in image quality between F/2.0 and F/2.8, especially at the edges, which would not be the case if the stopping down were obtained only by applying an ND filter. On the other hand, there is no improvement when you go from F/2.8 to F/8, indicating that there is no actual stopping down of the lens.

I see two other points that make the TG-2 stand above the other rugged P&S on the market, which are the "Super Macro" mode and the ability to equip the lens with optical complements, like a filter, a sun shade or a conversion lens.

The Super Macro mode does just what it says: it allows the user to shoot a subject literally touching the lens' front element and I found out that the autofocus works much more reliably in Super macro than when shooting at short range in normal mode.

As for optical complements, it's always nice to be able to add a polarizer, a gradated filter, or an additional ND filter when the need arises. Olympus also offers two different converters that can be added in front of the lens to turn it into a 170 mm equivalent telephoto (TCON - T01) or into a 19.5 mm equivalent fisheye (FCON - T01).

I bought the fisheye converter, which works as advertised and offers good image quality in the center and adequate edge quality, especially when the lens is stopped down 1 notch. It is really useful underwater, where it widens the lens' field of view and allows to shoot closer to the subject, thus minimizing diffusion from particles in suspension in the water.

The main drawback with these optical accessories when used underwater is that the adapter ring (CLA-T01) which attaches them to the body is designed to let the water enter the space between the front element of the lens and the rear of the optical accessory mounted in front of it. Therefore, when the user takes the camera in and out of the water, there is always a delay during which it is not possible to use the camera, because this space is partially filled with water. Also, when taking the camera out of water, it is often necessary to wipe the water droplets from inside the optical assembly before being able to resume shooting.

In conclusion, I would add that I bought the TG-2 to complement my other cameras (DSLRs and mirrorless + Sony RX-100) when shooting in adverse conditions and, to my surprise, I found myself using it a lot as a go everywhere, good quality, everyday camera. I will not leave my RX-100 live permanently in my trousers pocket without any protection anyway - and the RX-100 takes much longer to extend its delicate telescopic lens assembly, making it less suitable to use as an always ready camera.

Cheers!

Abbazz