Best Olympus Tough TG-6 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020:

The compact Olympus Tough TG-6 is a successor to the Tough TG-5 which already brought a new processor, a new sensor and 4K / UHD. Will the few improvements to the TG-6 be enough to avoid competition from the previous model?

Presentation

The Olympus Tough TG-6 camera is a compact adventurer designed to accompany the photographer in the harshest shooting conditions. When hiking, at the beach or traveling, the Tough TG-6 is designed to resist dust, low temperatures (up to -10 ° C), diving (up to -15 m without box), falls (less than 2 m) and crushing up to 100 kg.

Best Olympus Tough TG-6 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020

1. Olympus Tough TG-6

2. Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, Red (Renewed)

3. Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, Red -64GB Basic Bundle

4. Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, Black -64GB Basic Bundle

5. Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, Red -16GB Basic Bundle

Few new features

On the hardware side, the 1 / 2.3 “12 Mpx type sensor was introduced with the Tough TG-5 alongside the TruePic VIII processor. Double anti-fog glass was also added to the previous model. also 4K / UHD which appeared in 2017.

The TG-6 keeps all this and improves on the rear screen – non-touch – which gains in definition. Anti-reflective treatment appears at the sensor to reduce ghost images.

On the software side, several underwater modes are emerging, such as HDR, macro or a specific adjustment of the white balance. The macro terrestrial mode also improves a little.

The compact Olympus Tough TG-6 has been marketed since July 2019 at a price of € 499 in several versions (black or red).

A nearly true copy of the Tough TG-5

On the grip side, the Olympus Tough TG-6 takes the lines of the Tough TG-5 . We find the salient design and the codes of the series: visible screws, angles, a mixture of materials; in short, the Tough TG-6 proudly exhibits its resistance to the harshest conditions.

Ergonomics does not change fundamentally either. The control wheel is still there, the settings are accessible in the same way. In general, it is rather well thought out, even if we always note several absences. Starting with a completely manual mode. The menus are not necessarily well organized and you will have to think about using the “OK” key to access certain parameters otherwise inaccessible – in particular to activate recording in RAW. The Tough TG-6 still offers an easy use for beginners, while leaving access to slightly more expert options, such as exposure compensation.

Perfect ergonomics

The strap attachment system is wide and aesthetic with its chrome finish. However, it is positioned on the side of the handle, which is not always practical when getting started depending on the strap used. The control buttons are too small and not always easy to use, but they remain easily accessible. Little more, pressing the info button when the device is off brings up a compass on the screen.

Advanced functions for backpackers are always included, as well as Wi-Fi for quick control of the compact, but above all, GPS (with writing geolocation information in the files), a nanometer, an altimeter or even the level . On the connection side, we will always do with a micro-USB connector and an HDMI.

Reactivity

The Tough TG-6’s speed measurements are good and close to what the Tough TG-5 was already doing. A start under the second, a fairly quick and efficient development and a sequence of views without worry. All with the use of raw files enabled.

With the fastest mode, the Olympus Tough TG-6 achieves a nice burst performance. Very fast, the resistant compact easily reaches 20 fps. All types of devices combined, it’s a great performance that Olympus was able to exploit with the different stacking modes (digital image stacking) dedicated to focusing or exposure.

Electronic noise management

The increase in sensitivity has the same characteristics as the previous model. But in the meantime our requirements have changed. If overall the image rendering of the Tough TG-6 is satisfactory – especially in its category -, the 1 / 2.3 “type sensor will not work miracles.

The image is relatively little degraded up to ISO 400 and suffers a first significant loss at ISO 800. Thereafter, at ISO 1600 and beyond, the rendering is more and more damaged and highly perceptible. Noise reduction smooths out details a lot. Some compacts (not resistant) play in the same category. We can, for example, mention the TZ95 from Panasonic.

What about optics?

The optical management here also takes up the faults of the Tough TG-5, with apertures that can only be partially selected. At full zoom, only the values ​​f / 4.9, f / 6.3 and f / 18 are available. And as the sensor is small, diffraction quickly appears. You will have to think about it during the photo outings. To summarize, the best quality is located at the widest angle and degrades as you zoom.

Of course, one of the great strengths of the series is not forgotten. Macro mode with 1 cm focus is still there. Several settings can be used to take original shots. RAW files are also present, and it’s best to use them to get the most out of the Olympus Tough TG-6, at the cost of some post-production work.

Video

The Tough TG-5’s 4K / UHD video is carried over to the Olympus Tough TG-6. The modes with higher cadences, but with reduced definitions (it is necessary to keep this detail in mind, even if it is a constant on most of the devices) answer the call again. It is thus possible to achieve slow motion up to 480 i / s.

The Tough TG-6’s continuous autofocus cannot be configured in video. Face detection does not allow focus tracking. On the other hand, the compact proved to be quite reactive during our tests. The rolling shutter – deformation of the vertical lines during lateral movements – seemed to us relatively well mastered. Finally, we can note the absence of cropping between 4K / UHD and the FHD definition.

STRONG POINTS

  • Compact resistant and waterproof.
  • Wi-Fi, GPS and several tools for backpackers.
  • High-performance macroscopic modes.
  • Good general responsiveness.
  • Presence of 4K / UHD video.
  • Satisfactory image for this type of device.
  • Face detection.
  • Several advanced settings and creative modes available.

WEAK POINTS

  • Opening range not fully exploitable.
  • No manual mode.
  • Position of the strap hook.
  • Buttons and dials a little too small and resistant to handling.
  • No USB-C.

CONCLUSION

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a successful tough compact. It feels solid and offers creative modes and welcome automatisms, while retaining advanced options for the most experienced photographers. If some of the ergonomics have been sacrificed on the altar of compactness and solidity, the Tough TG-6 should not pose a major problem in use. Its biggest flaw may be the lack of evolution compared to the Tough TG-5 . Already very successful, the previous model finally poses as an alternative to a new, not very innovative version.

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