TG4(and similar camera type) Question

[Camera290]

We do a lot of travelling and on the rainy days I have often wanted a small waterproof camera.

Are these types of cameras really designed for swimming and diving or do you actual owners use them for street,landscape photography? Do you have to keep wiping off the lens when it is raining? I assume that you do. Any and all comments welcome.

Thanks

 

[BorisK1]

They work pretty well as an all-around point-and-shoot camera.

The lens rarely gets water droplets - I think it might have hydrophobic coating. Rain should be no problem at all.

 

[Camera290]

Thanks very much BorisK1. I bought one yesterday and look forward to using it over the weekend.

 

[Mittskitts]

I use my TG-3 (and previously my TG-1) all the time as an all-purpose camera--lots of pet pictures, golf pictures, scenic pictures, travel, trail riding, work pictures, just about everything except telephoto and moon pictures. It does a great job.

 

[BorisK1]

I use my TG-3 (and previously my TG-1) all the time as an all-purpose camera--lots of pet pictures, golf pictures, scenic pictures, travel, trail riding, work pictures, just about everything except telephoto and moon pictures. It does a great job.

What's wrong with shooting the Moon? Here's my attempt with TG-1. Not super-good, but decent for this type of camera IMHO:

 

[Camera290]

Thanks Mittskitts and Boris. Great moon shot!!

 

[ljclark]

I recommend "tough" cameras to folks who are looking to step up from their smart phones.

Granted, I have a mess of Nikon and Fuji-X stuff that I use for most of my shooting, but there is a place for a weatherproof P&S.

• Although some of them have some grippy rubber stuff that can drag inside pockets, most of them have a slim form factor and are nice pocket cameras. (I no longer carry a Minox.)
• The zoom range may appear limited, but the 1:4 I have with my TG-4 is perfect for my uses. And since almost all of the weatherproof cameras' zooms are internal to the camera body, they are protected and sometimes come alive faster than what we usually see in the rest of the P&Ss.
• I just got the TG-4 because it offers RAW. The TG-4 seems to offer fewer user choices in the menu, but if you have RAW, you can just do everything in post processing that would have been a choice in the menus.
• And then there is the "caught out" factor. Especially if you're on vacation or some other trip, it is nice to be able to explore with a small camera and not have a panic attack when it turns out you are in the middle of one of those surprise fountains.

 

[BorisK1]

Thanks Mittskitts and Boris. Great moon shot!!

Thank you I'm pretty sure it can do better though. The scope hadn't quite cooled down yet, and there was a little bit of a fog in the air. And I want to see what in-camera HDR can do to bring out more shadow detail.

Still, I'm very fortunate to live in the vicinity of an observatory that offers public access.

The TG series are convenient for digiscoping, because the lens is completely enclosed in the body.

 

[smoker21]

Hi guys,

Recently I bought an Olympus tg-860 which I returned because I found the quality of the images worse than my old sony tx-10 (which I have to change since I broke the screen). Especially when there were many details in the object (like a huge bugambilia tree with many flowers) the image quality was really bad, even worse than my mobile phone camera.

Since I am interested only in rugged cameras, would you advise me to get the tg-4? Does it have a better image quality than the tg-860? Or do you have something else to suggest or shall I wait for the next generation?

Thanks

 

[BorisK1]

It depends on what specific IQ issues you're having. The TG-4 will be head and shoulders above the 860 in lower light situations, because the faster lens allows the camera to use lower ISO.

Also, if you're judging IQ by looking at the images at 100% magnification, you'll see a big difference from RAW. Olympus tough cameras' jpegs are optimized for normal-size viewing, so they look overprocessed at 100%.

But if you want a significant increase in IQ, look into getting a Sony RX100 in Meikon housing. It's small(ish), waterproof, and not super expensive, especially if you stay with an older model, like the original RX100.

 

[Jim Keye]

Are these types of cameras really designed for swimming and diving or do you actual owners use them for street,landscape photography? Do you have to keep wiping off the lens when it is raining? I assume that you do. Any and all comments welcome.

I wouldn't say they're designed for it, no. They're just a beefed up compact camera--there isn't really a lot of optimization for action or sports or whatever outside of that.

I've had two of them over the years because I enjoy water-related activities. I wanted something that I didn't have to baby and something I could dunk/get wet. They've been great for that. I haven't noticed water collecting on the lens to be a problem.

I used to use these a lot for whenever I didn't want to take a bigger camera with me--so call that street, travel, landscape, whatever--wherever I was that I didn't want a bigger camera. I will admit that these days I use my phone mostly for that stuff. But the phone is a no-go w/ water, so these type of cameras do still have a lot of value to me.

 

[JEBUS H GEIST]

Hi guys,

Recently I bought an Olympus tg-860 which I returned because I found the quality of the images worse than my old sony tx-10 (which I have to change since I broke the screen). Especially when there were many details in the object (like a huge bugambilia tree with many flowers) the image quality was really bad, even worse than my mobile phone camera.

Since I am interested only in rugged cameras, would you advise me to get the tg-4? Does it have a better image quality than the tg-860? Or do you have something else to suggest or shall I wait for the next generation?

Thanks

I just bought a TG4.

It has taken some great indoor shots, but it is COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE for anything outdoors.

Did I just say, "COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE?"

Yes, I did.

I was playing with Program setting then went into Auto setting figuring that I might be doing something wrong. Nope, I wasn't the problem. The camera has a problem.

The camera will "automatically" shoot very fast shutter speeds outdoors and create unusable dark images while sporadically allowing a properly exposed image, once in a while. I haven't been able to assess a pattern to this. It seems to be random and is happening more often than not, outside. Now, it is possible that I have a defective unit, and I will be returning it ASAP. There is no way to regulate its shutter speed, that I have found, so I can't see a way of fixing this problem on my unit.

Has anybody else had any similar kind of issue with their TG4?

I probably should have created a new thread for this topic...

 

[Trevor Kloeden]

Thanks
I just bought a TG4.

It has taken some great indoor shots, but it is COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE for anything outdoors.

Did I just say, "COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE?"

Yes, I did.

I was playing with Program setting then went into Auto setting figuring that I might be doing something wrong. Nope, I wasn't the problem. The camera has a problem.

The camera will "automatically" shoot very fast shutter speeds outdoors and create unusable dark images while sporadically allowing a properly exposed image, once in a while. I haven't been able to assess a pattern to this. It seems to be random and is happening more often than not, outside. Now, it is possible that I have a defective unit, and I will be returning it ASAP. There is no way to regulate its shutter speed, that I have found, so I can't see a way of fixing this problem on my unit.

Has anybody else had any similar kind of issue with their TG4?

I probably should have created a new thread for this topic...

Had the same problem and discovered it boiled down to 2 menu items.

Set your menu as follows:

Camera Menu 1 > Shadow Adjust > ON

Camera Menu 1 > ESP/. > ESP

The ESP setting makes a huge difference in contrasting conditions.

If set to "." it measures the exposure on the centre focus point like a spot meter.

On "ESP" it averages the whole screen.

Pic taken with the settings as above.





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[smoker21]

Looking at Trevor's picture above, the quality of the grass in the image is terrible; this is what I meant, when there were many details tg-860 was delivering bad results. The grass zoomed out looks weird and when you look at it at 100% looks terrible. Imagine seeing this result in a nice a sunny day...

The reason I want a rugged small camera is because I want a camera constantly in my bag, without having to think if it will break or get wet and when I visit my family, that my nieces will be free to hammer the camera and then take pictures. To reply to the suggestion above, the RH100 is a great option but it gets bulky with the case and the price is not comparable...

Unfortunately I am at work and I do not have the original image with me, but I guess you will get the idea from the resized one.


tg 860

 

[Camera290]

Thanks very much for all of your replies. Smoker21,sorry that you are having issues. Mine works very well and I have not changed any factory settings.

 

[JEBUS H GEIST]

Thanks

I just bought a TG4.

It has taken some great indoor shots, but it is COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE for anything outdoors.

Did I just say, "COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE?"

Yes, I did.

I was playing with Program setting then went into Auto setting figuring that I might be doing something wrong. Nope, I wasn't the problem. The camera has a problem.

The camera will "automatically" shoot very fast shutter speeds outdoors and create unusable dark images while sporadically allowing a properly exposed image, once in a while. I haven't been able to assess a pattern to this. It seems to be random and is happening more often than not, outside. Now, it is possible that I have a defective unit, and I will be returning it ASAP. There is no way to regulate its shutter speed, that I have found, so I can't see a way of fixing this problem on my unit.

Has anybody else had any similar kind of issue with their TG4?

I probably should have created a new thread for this topic...

Had the same problem and discovered it boiled down to 2 menu items.

Set your menu as follows:

Camera Menu 1 > Shadow Adjust > ON

Camera Menu 1 > ESP/. > ESP

The ESP setting makes a huge difference in contrasting conditions.

If set to "." it measures the exposure on the centre focus point like a spot meter.

On "ESP" it averages the whole screen.

Pic taken with the settings as above.

I tried your suggestion to no avail.

The camera still insists on too fast a shutter speed for most outdoor shots.

And, there is no way to adjust/choose shutter speed.

My TG-4 is still terribly inconsistent.

I hate it. I've never had a camera do this...

 

[BorisK1]

Looking at Trevor's picture above, the quality of the grass in the image is terrible; this is what I meant, when there were many details tg-860 was delivering bad results. The grass zoomed out looks weird and when you look at it at 100% looks terrible. Imagine seeing this result in a nice a sunny day...

The reason I want a rugged small camera is because I want a camera constantly in my bag, without having to think if it will break or get wet and when I visit my family, that my nieces will be free to hammer the camera and then take pictures. To reply to the suggestion above, the RH100 is a great option but it gets bulky with the case and the price is not comparable...

Unfortunately I am at work and I do not have the original image with me, but I guess you will get the idea from the resized one.


tg 860

Unfortunately, if you're shooting in good light, so high ISO noise, missed focus, and camera shake are not an issue, the IQ from the two cameras will be similar.

No "tough" camera will withstand a close scrutiny at 100%, especially when shooting grass or foliage. The small sensor size, combined with the folded light path and ambitious zoom, at relatively low price, mean that something has to give.

I take it, you've looked at the Nikon AW1 series? It's larger and more expensive, but the IQ is better.

Aside from that, you mentioned that your phone does better. Have you looked into waterproof cases for your phone? I think Otter Box makes one.

 

[smoker21]

BorisK, unfortunately the nikon, besides expensive, goes beyond the purpose... I already have a sony nex 6 that I am very happy with and I just want something small and durable to carry with me everyday and not being afraid that it will break or get wet in vacations etc. I was very happy with the sony tx10 but I broke the screen and without a view finder is useless. Instead of paying for a new screen I thought of buying a new rugged camera, but if tg4 will have the same results as the tg860 pictured above, then I am really disappointed, it is supposed to be the best of its category... I do not expect it to shoot the best photographs, but I expect something better than the above, and I am not talking about viewing it at 100%... both in my picture and the picture with the grass, they look over processed and "fake".

 

[BorisK1]

Well, the overprocessed look can be fixed with RAW development. With TG-4, you can set any sharpening and noise reduction you like.

One problem with things like grass and foliage is all the fine detail right at the edge of what the sensor/lens can resolve. The result is either mush, out a jumble of artifacts. That happens pretty much with any camera, if you look close enough. (Except for Sigma, but that's a different story).

Of course, if you're shooting close enough to resolve individual blades of grass, this effect goes away.

With that in mind, I'd suggest that you wait for a couple more weeks and look at TG-4 sample pictures when they appear. Wouldn't hurt to revisit your old t10 shots as well, especially ones with the grass and foliage, and see whether it was as impressive as you remember.

 

[ChrisJS]

With that in mind, I'd suggest that you wait for a couple more weeks and look at TG-4 sample pictures when they appear.

+1

Many factors affect intial impressions such as shooting technique , camera settings and image format (i.e. Tg-4 is shipped with JPG compression as 'normal' as default and not higher quality 'fine'.)

As RAW is available IQ can be assessed for various camera and situation configurations, give it time have a look at RAW & JPG examples and then make a judgment for yourself.