Olympus Tough TG-7 Digital Camera (Red)

This is like a classic point-and-shoot digital camera, the kind that were popular in 20 years ago. They made it ruggedly waterproof and updated it a bit with more modern technology, so it can shoot high quality video, it can do burst mode at a very high speed to capture rapid action, but the sensor size is the same size as a cell phone camera, so don't expect it to deliver much better low-light performance than a good phone camera. This does outperform my phone in terms of being waterproof, with double-locking hatches for where you'd connect cables or insert batteries or memory cards. It also has a much bigger, more powerful flash than a phone, and a true optical zoom lens instead of a system of multiple cameras on the back. If you take this on vacation because you want to use it while snorkeling, you might well use it for a variety of other travel photos as well.Compared to using a GoPro or other action camera to take pictures when you're in and around water, then this has some big advantages: Instead of an extremely wide-angle fixed-focus lens as you'd find on an action camera, this has an optical zoom lens that takes pictures in an ordinary range of focal lengths, from somewhat wide angle into a moderate telephoto range. Combined with the option to shoot raw images (so you can adjust them more after shooting, using a program like Lightroom) and optional manual controls, you can get nice still images out of this that look different from what you could get with an action camera. Of course, this is bigger than an action camera, although it's still pocketable and highly portable if you tie it to something. This does have a lot of buttons, options, and controls, so it's a good idea to look through at what the controls do before you're out snorkeling with it, because there are a lot of buttons to futz with in adjusting it.Compared to a camera with a bigger sensor or interchangeable lenses, the only big advantages are size, weight, water resistance, and possibly its speed in burst mode. But the water resistance alone makes this more useful on some vacations than higher priced travel cameras like famous the Sony rx100 line, even if this lacks the larger sensor of an rx100.

Got this for a trip to Central America so we would have something durable and water resistant. I've had past Olympus tough cameras and was happy with them - this model continues that trend. The camera is highly durable surviving bangs and bumps on rocks, trees, floors, etc. It did well in water (swimming with sharks, boating, on the beach, river rafting, etc) and on land. Battery life was fine (I supplemented it with some additional third party batteries just to ensure I had enough power).Picture quality is good to excellent depending on your expectations and the conditions around you. The video function works really well and we got some great videos with the camera as well. Overall a fun camera with great functionality and great photo and video abilities.

It’s a great, durable, no-nonsense point and shoot camera. Not much thinking, just press the button and take the photo. At only 12MP it’s still powerful & processes photos beautifully. Low light is hit or miss ass the sensor is small, but it’s waterproof, shockproof, iceproof & basically life-proof lol. Landscapes and brightly lit backdrops are this cameras strong suit. Has filters & different settings for different backdrops & scenery, but also has a raw shooting mode, perfect for editing. It’s compact & good for road trips & everyday occasions. If you’re a serious photographer looking for a serious camera, I don’t think you’ll benefit from this lol but it’s great for memories on the fly where you don’t have to think; just pull out & shoot.

The media could not be loaded. I bought it for scuba diving and just to have a nicer camera. I love it but make sure to get the housing if you want to dive deeper than 45ft with it. Once I got down to 40 ft it kept giving me a caution sign saying it was too deep and at 50 ft it just stopped taking pictures until I got shallower. Other than that, this camera is amazing!! It takes amazing pictures outside of the water too you just have to find the right settings!

This has been the best point and shoot waterproof camera I have ever had.Small size but takes clear pictures.

The media could not be loaded. Can't do no stars - as how can I review a product that never worked?!Terrible and incredibly disappointing. Didn't even get to use this camera once.As a waterproof camera, I would expect it to be okay on the surface of water. Snorkeled out to a spot and found it had flooded before I even used it the first time. Not even one picture. Spent money on a carrying case, a new SIM card, and a float for it, only to find the "waterproof" camera wasn't.Took the video immediately upon coming home. Opened the "waterproof" battery compartment to find it FILLED with water - I had already drained some, but decided to video the remainder as proof. Also took a picture of the lens, which you can see is flooded and totally ruined. Piece of junk.Nothing but disappointed over this waste of money and time. Add to that the fact that I had to pay $50 to ship it back? I have to pay to have never had a camera to use. AWFUL.Guess I'll buy a GoPro instead, much as I was trying to avoid that.

All of the photos that I take with this camera come out almost-but-not-quite sharp. Plenty sharp for snaps to stick on the fridge, but none sharp enough to blow up and hang on the wall. Even when I use the manual focus feature, I can't get the same kind of tack-sharp photos that I can get with my fancy-*** semi-pro camera. But, I can't take my fancy-*** semi-pro camera in the swimming pool with the kids or, snorkeling at the beach or, on a hike in the rain.Now that everybody's using their cell phones for snaps, there's hardly any pocket-size cameras anymore, and if you want one that's pocket-sized, _and_ rugged, _and_ water and weather proof, what're you going to do?