TG-2 Review

The TG-2 is my 9thwaterproof camera. I bought it 3 weeks ago to take on an overseas holiday, it was to replace my Olympus 820 which I bought October 2012. I used it on land for a few days on my holiday before taking it no more than 2 metres into. We were in Thailand and as the weather and the water was hot I carried out my usual precaution of making sure the body temperature of the camera was close to the water temp. On the first water plunge the inside of the lens fogged up a little but disappeared after about 5 mins out of the water. The second time the inside of the lens was not visible at all and the LCD screen was totally fogged. The camera still took pictures though. I did not take it into the water after those two episodes.  As I had my 820 with me as a backup I took that into the water with no fogging problems at all even after of going in and out of the water for an hour. When I got back to Perth I took it back to Leederville Camerahouse where I’ve bought all my waterproof cameras and they exchanged it for another. I’ll give this one a try. I’m happy with the image quality and there are a number of other reasons. (1) the selector dial is far better that the selection method on previous Olympus cameras, previously it was easy to accidentally select the wrong program. (2) the lens is in the center instead of the corner and it’s a fast  F2. (3) both access doors have opposing double locks that don’t accidentally open, my 820 sometimes did that. (4) there are two customisable modes that you can save your own settings in. I’ll update this post later if necessary.

Thanks for your thoughts.  Is there a chance of posting some full size shots of your u/w images?

Hi Ken, yes I'll put some up as soon as I figure how to do it.

Boofhead wrote:

Hi Ken, yes I'll put some up as soon as I figure how to do it.

Great, thanks.  I look forward to seeing them.

Hi again Ken, I've put some pixs up in a gallery, hope you know how to find them. I've included pixs taken by my 820 as well as TG-2, it's hard to tell the difference. One thing to keep in mind is that the pixs taken by the 820 were in water a lot clearer than where the TG-2 was.

Regards

Nice shots.  What are your impressions so far?  Is there a big improvement in image quality with the TG-2?  How is the TG-2's screen visibility while snorkeling?  How well/quickly does it focus?  Thanks for your thoughts.

1. Impressions so far - please see my first post
2. Apart from the TG-2's faster lens, I find it hard to see any difference between pixs on 820
3. TG-2 screen underwater is very clear but so is the 820
4. Focus on the TG-2 appears to be a lot faster than the 820

I'll need some more time to use the TG-2 so I can be more definite. Remember I stopped using the TG-2 after it started fogging up.

AYCL wrote:

Have you had any further fogging up/condensation of your lens/LCD?  I also bought a TG-2 right before my trip to Mayan Riviera and had some issues with fogging up/condensation of the lens and sometimes the LCD when going into the warm carribean water and even sometimes when walking around.  It would resolve on its own after a few minutes or sometimes 1-2 hours.  By the time I returned from my trip 2 weeks later it was too late to exchange/return the camera to my camera shop so now have to send it in to Olympus to look at it... not sure how much they can/will do apart from maybe changing the seals in the door?  There were absolutely no water leakage though from my on inspection.  Anyone can share with similar experiences can say what they will most likely do?  I don't think they would exchange for another brand new TG-2?

I have had condensation issues with many "waterproof" cameras and waterproof housings for cameras. It is standard. The New Panasonic TS5 (FT5) has an "anti-fog" lens as a new feature. I have not tried yet to see if it successfully avoids this common problem. I doubt it's a specific camera defect.

I would think that a waterproof camera should not fog, as fogging can only occur if there is moisture present.  And moisture is what 'waterproof' is supposed to keep out.  I have not owned one of these cameras before, other than the TG-1, TG-2, and Nikon AW110, and I only had each of those for a couple weeks each to test image quality.  Never had the opportunity to use any of them underwater.  But to me, anyway, none of them should fog up.  I'd take that camera back, or talk to Oly directly if you need to, and make the case that a waterproof camera should not let moisture get in.

Or am I missing some obvious reason why anyone should expect these cameras to allow any moisture past their seals?

Ken G. wrote:

I would think that a waterproof camera should not fog, as fogging can only occur if there is moisture present.  And moisture is what 'waterproof' is supposed to keep out.  I have not owned one of these cameras before, other than the TG-1, TG-2, and Nikon AW110, and I only had each of those for a couple weeks each to test image quality.  Never had the opportunity to use any of them underwater.  But to me, anyway, none of them should fog up.  I'd take that camera back, or talk to Oly directly if you need to, and make the case that a waterproof camera should not let moisture get in.

Or am I missing some obvious reason why anyone should expect these cameras to allow any moisture past their seals?

I am sorry, it is well known that sealed cameras or "underwater cases" have a tendency to produce fogged lenses, when there is a rapid change in temperature and/or high humidity. It is a fact, whatever you believe. The GoPro provides anti-fog sheets, as do many producers of waterproof cases. It is a pervasive problem. It is not water leakage. It is condensation.

I do not know how the "anti-fog" lens of the Panasonic FT5 (TS5) solves the problem of condensation, but it is normal for this to happen and is not a camera or design defect. There may be variation across makes in degree, but it affects all.

I do not have a TG-2 but have a stylus Tough and noticed when you open it to access the battery and card, you expose the interior to whatever airmass you happen to be in.  If you are in a humid environment and you open the compartment to change the battery or card or whatever, you are introducing moist air into the camera.

I would suggest NEVER opening the camera outside in warm environments.  This should help to keep humidity out, and prevent fogging.

Ken G. wrote:

I would think that a waterproof camera should not fog, as fogging can only occur if there is moisture present.  And moisture is what 'waterproof' is supposed to keep out.  I have not owned one of these cameras before, other than the TG-1, TG-2, and Nikon AW110, and I only had each of those for a couple weeks each to test image quality.  Never had the opportunity to use any of them underwater.  But to me, anyway, none of them should fog up.  I'd take that camera back, or talk to Oly directly if you need to, and make the case that a waterproof camera should not let moisture get in.

Or am I missing some obvious reason why anyone should expect these cameras to allow any moisture past their seals?

Waterproof cameras are (hopefully) air-tight.  Which means both the amount of moisture trapped in that air, and its pressure, are constant - so the due point temperature inside the camera is also constant.

However, the temperature of the camera body (and the air trapped inside) is not constant.  Changing the temperature changes the relative humidity.

If you cool the camera body below its internal dew point, you get condensation.

The solution is to try and fill the camera with cool, dry air.  Some people reported success with leaving the camera in front of an air conditioner overnight - but the air conditioner typically cycles on/off.

I don't see how "anti-fog" lens coating can have much effect on that.

Boofhead wrote:

Hi again Ken, I've put some pixs up in a gallery, hope you know how to find them. I've included pixs taken by my 820 as well as TG-2, it's hard to tell the difference. One thing to keep in mind is that the pixs taken by the 820 were in water a lot clearer than where the TG-2 was.

Regards

I am still convinced that Panasonic FT/TS  cameras are much better underwater cameras than Olympus TG cameras. Check some of my UW photos:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8322728405/albums/sharm-el-sheikh-june-2012-ft4

I just bought newest UW Panasonic FT5/TS5. To be honest I did not expect much progress in comparison with the FT4/TS4, but I am pleasantly surprised, IS is even more efficient and iA and UW mode are much more advanced than before!

You've done a good job of it with the images you linked to.  Can you show some of your images using the new Panasonic?

Ken G. wrote:

You've done a good job of it with the images you linked to.  Can you show some of your images using the new Panasonic?

Of course I will show you lots of FT5 UW photos, but not before end of June, when I will return from Egypt.

At the moment I can only say that the in low light conditions FT5 is much better than the FT4. FT5 noise level at ISO 800 - 1250 is equal to FT4 noise level at ISO 400.

Sounds like some definite improvements have been made. I look forward to seeing your results.
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Camera gear in profile.

Ken G.
http://www.pbase.com/kgilbertsen