GEAR TESTS: OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-6 UNDERWATER CAMERA REVIEW

ROBIN DODD Producer

At this point it is easy to say that the Olympus TG-6 is the most popular compact camera in the world for underwater photography. At first glance this may seem to be because of it's waterproof nature, but that really isn't the case. What makes this camera so awesome is the built-in super macro focus ability that lets it focus extremely close to the lens. There is no other camera out there that even comes close in that regard. It's also one of our favorites for new shooters because it is so easy to set up for success with minimal user input, allowing novice divers to simply point-and-shoot and be able to get great images. Paired with the Backscatter M52 Wide Angle Lens it becomes a very capable wide angle camera, too. The inclusion of the ability to limit the minimum shutter speed on the TG-6 is invaluable to great wide angle shooting since this is what allows us to get those rich, deep blue background colors that are just not possible at slow shutter speeds (which the camera would otherwise default to). I spent an equal amount of time shooting this camera in wide angle with dual strobes as I did in macro with a single strobe and snoot and I still can't decide which experience I enjoyed more. This was also easily one of the most requested camera systems for guests to try for the first time, and many of them came back from their dives with some of the best images they had ever captured underwater.

Jim Decker CEO: Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo

What is there to say? The TG-6 remains the best beginner macro camera period with it's easy to use size and extreme close up capability. I used it at the Shootout for a day just to get some time in on this fun little camera. I added a Backscatter Mini-Flash and Optical Snoot and was banging out killer shots right from the get go. We had a lot of guests come to the event and try out the TG-6 demos and they were out all the time. People loved the simplicity and small size. Even for myself who shoots every camera under the sun, I continue to enjoy shooting the TG series cameras.