TG-6 review: Shoot and enjoy

I bought the Olympus TG-6 for a long sailing trip. The idea was to have a tough camera that can survive knocks and salty water. The TG-6 is marketed as an underwater camera but is very capable as a action, sailing, skiing or general tourist camera. It delivers stunning images with minimal effort.

Before taking the TG-6 on trip and worked extensively through the settings to fully understand all the features because I knew there would not be any time on the boat to figure out the modes.

I changed mainly the following settings:

Photo-mode large super-fine. That gives around 7000 images on 64GB SD card.

Noise filter to low

ISO Auto set range 100-3200

Lowest shutter speed to 1/125s to have sharp photos during shaky situations

Keep Warm Color off

GPS Priority to low power

Video mode 4k 30p

Focus to point in middle of screen

AF Eye priority

Sleep 1 min

The TG-6 hasnt got a shutter priority mode. So its necessary to set the minimum shutter speed at 1/125 which is then available in P mode. I also made a Custom setting where I put shutter speed at 1/500 to capture really fast scenes. With the mode dial one can switch fast to the different modes.

On the boat I made most shots in P mode and received excellent results. The camera is extremely intuitive. With the index finger you can move the optical zoom and with the thumb the over-and underexposure dial. So you can have one hand on the deck and another on the camera. I usually put the camera off and in the pocket of my rain jacket. When shooting I switched it on and could shoot photos within a couple of seconds. Startup is pleasantly fast.

I didnt intend to shoot video but after discovering the great 4k capabilities I loved it. The camera stabilizes the image and keeps continuous focus. You can pan around the scene and get crispy sharp amazing images. A pleasure to watch on a large UHD TV. The only caveat is that 4k video sucks battery life. However I noted that the battery goes into red while filming and then recovers.

During typical use the battery lasts 2-3 days. Charging is great with a standard USB adapter. So no problem on boats, in cars etc.

Overall the camera has performed far better than I expected. It is very amazing what image quality Olympus has been able to pull from such small sensor. The camera is fast and snappy and pleasure to use.

I also used the camera for sightseeing and achieved great photos with wonderful street action. You can shoot instantly without any preparation. I had hardly any bad shots. The camera nails focus 99.5% of the time. The AF is very fast, basically instant.

Also I did a night sight seeing city tour with HDR shots. Also amazing results.

I tried focus stacking in macro mode on some small details and it seems that the camera has excellent macro capabilities.

The camera didnt suffer a single scratch during trip. It looks like new. I had a screen protector on. The body material and construction is very solid and feels high-quality.

It is very surprising that Olympus has not produced more small cameras for bikers, sailors, flower lovers and other enthuaists. Olympus has clearly all skills to make such cameras as the TG-6 shows. This TG camera concept could be expanded to various hobbies with minimal changes.

Anyway, if one cares to modify the settings the camera enthusiast can use this camera for 95% of his needs.

Highly recommended.

RetCapt wrote:

I have an earlier iteration of your TG-6, the TG-4, and I agree with your assessment.

I too have found the image quality to be outstanding, despite the assertion of some here who categorically conclude that small sensors cannot deliver decent images. I think those posters may be unintentionally revealing their own levels of photographic skill.

I routinely print to 11X14". On the wall they are indistinguishable from prints from my APS-C system. I have even done one to 13X19" (the limit of my printer), a night shot no less, and it turned out outstanding.

Since it appears you are new to the TG cameras, I am going to pass on several tips that may be useful to you. We live in a mountainous area, are very much outdoor oriented, so the camera sees use under potentially adverse environmental conditions.

I have a silicone sleeve on my TG-4. It gives more grip traction and protects the surface of the camera from scuffs and scratches. I purchased the lens adapter CLA-TO1 so I could use a lens cap to protect the front glass. Subsequently I purchased a polarizing filter and the tele lens converter TCON-TO1, and the adapter is necessary to use either of these.

I carry my TG-4 in a Pelican micro case, and the case is attached to a strap that I wear. Using an Olympus wrist strap, I can tether the camera because the thin thread of the camera end of the strap is small enough to fit between the rubber/plastic edges of the Pelican case. The other end of the wrist strap is loosely attached to the body strap so it can be slid up and down the strap. This set up allows rapid access, an additional level of protection, and prevention of possible loss if the deck starts rolling when you are taking photos and you lose your grip on the camera.

For bright situations where the LCD screen is washed out a Hoodman loupe is perfect. I carry mine in a separate pouch in the strap, and it too is tethered to the strap.

I hope you (or others) may derive some use from my experience. Given its photographic capability and toughness in a package the size of a deck of cards, it really is an amazing piece of equipment.

Thanks for your ideas! The only thing I wish is that the  camera had a viewfinder. With sunglasses I found the screen very difficult to use. Not sure a hood would solve it.

I somehow missed the link to the images could you please repost?

Orion, Taurus, Mars and the Pleiades (left to right)

I have had several Olympus Tough cameras over the past 12 years, and they are great for travel, museums with “no flash” rules, golf, carrying in my purse for whatever photo ops I find, etc., but the image quality was not up to my OM-D. I subjectively think the routine image quality of my TG-3 with the 16 MP sensor is slightly better than my TG-6 with the 12 MP sensor. Recently, I discovered that I can do casual astrophotography quite easily with the TG-6 on a tripod with the Live Composite scene setting. Now, we are not talking about zooms of Saturn’s rings, but wide angle views of constellations and the sky. I live in a light polluted area and star gazing is very limited. The TG-6 lets me see everything on my star charts including the faint star clusters! I wondered how I would be able to focus on the stars, but it seems to take care of that automatically. Now I am even more enthusiastic about the TG-6 and having a lot of fun with it after dark. Who knew?

Kawika Nui wrote:

RetCapt wrote:

I have an earlier iteration of your TG-6, the TG-4, and I agree with your assessment.

I too have found the image quality to be outstanding, despite the assertion of some here who categorically conclude that small sensors cannot deliver decent images. I think those posters may be unintentionally revealing their own levels of photographic skill.

Or they are revealing their higher standards for image quality. Personally, I am very happy with the IQ of my small-sensor FZ50. Same size sensor as the TG series. But I do not delude myself into thinking that the TG series generates images of equal quality. The details simply are not there. It's probably due to the folded optics and extra layer(s) of glass in front of the lens and sensor, but it's a fact. The TG's are good for what they are, but the most definitely do not generate images as good as non-waterproof small-sensor cameras. I've had two or three of the TG models. I currently have a Panasonic TS-6 because it has an EVF which is a godsend in bright light. The Pany IQ is even worse than the TG series because Pany decided to cram more pixels onto the sensor. Oly is to be commended for keeping the count at 12mp. If Oly ever makes a TG with an EVF, I'll buy it.

I routinely print to 11X14". On the wall they are indistinguishable from prints from my APS-C system. I have even done one to 13X19" (the limit of my printer), a night shot no less, and it turned out outstanding.

Since it appears you are new to the TG cameras, I am going to pass on several tips that may be useful to you. We live in a mountainous area, are very much outdoor oriented, so the camera sees use under potentially adverse environmental conditions.

I have a silicone sleeve on my TG-4. It gives more grip traction and protects the surface of the camera from scuffs and scratches. I purchased the lens adapter CLA-TO1 so I could use a lens cap to protect the front glass. Subsequently I purchased a polarizing filter and the tele lens converter TCON-TO1, and the adapter is necessary to use either of these.

I carry my TG-4 in a Pelican micro case, and the case is attached to a strap that I wear. Using an Olympus wrist strap, I can tether the camera because the thin thread of the camera end of the strap is small enough to fit between the rubber/plastic edges of the Pelican case. The other end of the wrist strap is loosely attached to the body strap so it can be slid up and down the strap. This set up allows rapid access, an additional level of protection, and prevention of possible loss if the deck starts rolling when you are taking photos and you lose your grip on the camera.

For bright situations where the LCD screen is washed out a Hoodman loupe is perfect. I carry mine in a separate pouch in the strap, and it too is tethered to the strap.

I hope you (or others) may derive some use from my experience. Given its photographic capability and toughness in a package the size of a deck of cards, it really is an amazing piece of equipment.

Haven't stopped by the forum in a few weeks,  so this is a bit late but the topic is interesting. G6  I have to agree about image quality versus larger sensors but when conditions are right, you can take great images with a TG camera. In fact I have more fun with the TG-6 than any other camera I own. But it is not a level playing field in terms of results.

I like shooting the TG-6 mainly because of the challenge of overcoming the limitations of the camera.

The biggest issues to me are 1) lighting conditions with a wide range of bright light and dark shadow.  I do use the HDR mode but the images are a bit bland. Graduated filters might be the next step and 2) poor detail in complex landscapes.  The camera is very good with subjects up to 20 feet away, but complex landscapes (lots of trees for example) just don't work well in my experience.

A little late to this party, but what the heck...

The thing to remember about all of the TG line is that you can pretty much count on them bringing back a picture.  You can be caught out in a downpour, or a dust storm, or splashes from the Roman fountains and still have a functioning camera and some great shots.  And it's pocketable, so you really have no excuse for not taking it along.

As for the image quality, I shoot in JPEG+RAW.  With good post-processing software (and some of the newer AI plugins) I am quite pleased with the results.

Add the macro/micro capability and you have a unique point-of-view.  My old TG-4 even saved me some money.  I bought an older lens/shutter that the online auction seller claimed had no fungus, but stated that the sale was "as-is" amd mp returns.  In my dispute I quoted his description and showed the TG-4's micro shots of the lens with the obvious fungus.  Money back.

I am on the  fence about purchasing this camera,  any comments would be appreciated.  I am wondering if I will I be  happy with the photos from the camera??  I owned a Sony RX100 MK1 from new which I absolutely loved, size and IQ wise etc etc but it  failed due to sand ingress. I am loathed to buy another expensive camera. Most of my photography is done on or around the beach, waves, landscape, macro etc or in the countryside.   I shoot Jpeg as I dont enjoy sitting at a computer.  The size, toughness and features of this camera sound ideal but opinions on the Jpeg image quality seem mixed ?? Comments from owners of this camera/range of cameras would be appreciated.

As an owner of the RX100vi and the TG5, IQ wise the RX100 series is way better.  However, if you are mostly around beaches, the TG5 will hold up well.  Use the TG5 also underwater and it works well.

Dale

HappySnapperUK wrote:

I am on the fence about purchasing this camera, any comments would be appreciated. I am wondering if I will I be happy with the photos from the camera?? I owned a Sony RX100 MK1 from new which I absolutely loved, size and IQ wise etc etc but it failed due to sand ingress. I am loathed to buy another expensive camera. Most of my photography is done on or around the beach, waves, landscape, macro etc or in the countryside. I shoot Jpeg as I dont enjoy sitting at a computer. The size, toughness and features of this camera sound ideal but opinions on the Jpeg image quality seem mixed ?? Comments from owners of this camera/range of cameras would be appreciated.