Olympus intros upgraded Stylus Tough TG-2, TG-830 and TG-630 rugged cameras
Olympus knows many of us will be jonesing for a rugged camera once the weather warms up, and it's more than happy to deliver with a trio of refreshed Stylus Tough point-and-shoots. The TG-2 iHS flagship is all about going closer and deeper than before: it preserves the 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, 25-100mm equivalent f/2.0 lens and 1080p video of its predecessor, but introduces a new Microscopic Macro mode that Olympus claims can provide extreme detail from as little as 1cm (0.4 inches) away. The body's waterproofing is also resilient enough to survive at a deeper 50 feet, just in case the TG-1 isn't quite a match for that upcoming reef expedition. The TG-2 will arrive in March, and it should undercut its predecessor's original asking price at $380.
Those who aren't quite so committed to rough-and-tumble photography still get a few updates of their own. The TG-830 iHS adds geolocation to the TG-820's formula with both GPS and an electronic compass to show the way; its 16-megapixel CMOS sensor is also new, although we're more interested in a newfound option to shoot stills while recording video. At the entry level, the TG-630 iHS is a close cousin of the recent TG-625, adding a front metal plate to the 12-megapixel model we know. The two will ship alongside their bigger sibling in March with respective prices of $280 for the TG-830 and $200 for the TG-630.
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DEMAND MORE THAN DURABILITY. THE OLYMPUS STYLUS TOUGH® TG-2 NOW GOES DEEPER AND CAPTURES LIFE CLOSER THAN ANY STYLUS EVER
Dive Underwater to 50 Feet and Capture Microscopic Macros to Reveal a Hidden World
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 7, 2013 – Olympus takes rugged durability and DSLR-image quality to new heights (and depths) with the new flagship Tough model: the STYLUS TOUGH TG-2 iHS. It expands on technologies that made its predecessor, the Olympus TOUGH TG-1 iHS, a standout among the Tough series of waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof and dustproof compact cameras: a high-speed, ultra-bright f2.0 lens with converter-lens system compatibility, iHS technology to shoot brilliant images and incredible 1080p Full HD Video in the most extreme conditions.
Olympus continues to push innovation further so underwater enthusiasts can now explore depths up to 50 feet* with the TG-2 iHS – 10 feet deeper than its predecessor! Of course, it also withstands the rigors of other extreme conditions with its advanced ruggedized body construction that is shockproof up to 6.6 feet*, freezeproof to 14°F*, crushproof to a weight of 220 pounds and dustproof.
This high-speed performer delivers brilliant images courtesy of its high-sensitivity, high-speed 12-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor combined with a blazing fast, DSLR-quality TruePic™ VI image processor. The iHS family of technologies unite for unmatched image quality in challenging shooting conditions with improved lighting, less noise and response times twice as fast as traditional point-and-shoot cameras.
The new Microscopic Macro function boosts zoom magnification from 4x to 14x** with no noticeable loss of image quality from one centimeter away for true macro results. When the doubly powerful Super Resolution zoom is used, aspects of the natural world usually invisible to the naked eye, such as veins on a leaf and the details of an insect's eye, are revealed. High-speed autofocus, enhanced Intelligent Auto for spectacular scene and subject recognition, and 8x Super-resolution zoom (4x optical zoom) produce incredible images in any location. The STYLUS TOUGH TG-2 iHS lens adapter converter ring expands system capability by enabling the addition of a waterproof Fisheye Converter Lens or Teleconverter Lens for use on land or under water.
With five frames-per-second high-speed burst shooting or 60 frames-per-second at 3-megapixel resolution, Movie enthusiasts can shoot 1080p Full HD videos (1920x1080 pixels) while Multi-Motion Movie Image Stabilization compensates for movement during recording to create smoother videos.
A 1:2.0-4.9 wide-aperture high-speed lens enables the user to capture dramatic shots with low depth of field or reduced blur in low light. The Manual aperture priority mode allows the user to set the aperture to give pictures different expressions, or for professional-looking effects like background blur.
In low-light conditions, HDR Backlight Adjustment takes a collage of images at various exposure levels and blends them into one perfectly exposed photo. The camera's LED Illuminator perfectly captures the mood of low-light indoor scenes, beautiful sunsets or late-night outdoor festivities without a bright flash. Shadow Adjustment Technology adjusts shadows within an image shot under backlit conditions so that a subject's face can be revealed even under harsh lighting. Eleven Magic Filters add a range of spectacular effects to both stills and video.
The camera's three-inch, high-resolution OLED display (610K dots) provides excellent visibility in bright situations, enabling composition of the perfect shot in direct sunlight. Mark a special spot on the map with the GPS and e-compass functions that display and record location and landmark information with every shot. The built-in manometer records elevation and water depth and even displays a warning when the user approaches a depth of 50 feet.
Users can easily share their images on a big-screen HDTV in high definition using an optional HDMI cable or on their social networks using the Olympus Image Share smartphone application (via optional Toshiba FlashAir™ SDHC card or optional Eye-Fi Card).
Two bundled lens rings, one in red and one in black, and a premium wrist strap customize the camera's look. The Olympus® PT-053 underwater housing takes the STYLUS TOUGH TG-2 iHS down to depths of 135 feet (45m).
*Waterproof according to IEC standard publication 529 IPX8. Shockproof figures equivalent to MIL Standard according to Olympus test conditions. Freezeproof according to Olympus test conditions.
**35 mm camera equivalent.
U.S. Availability
The Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-2 iHS will be available in March.
Estimated Street Price:
Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-2 iHS Digital Camera: $379.99 (Available in Black and Red)
MORE TOUGH LOVE: TWO NEW OLYMPUS STYLUS TOUGH® IHS CAMERAS JOIN THE LINEUP
Explore the mountains with the STYLUS TOUGH TG-830 iHS or take a dip in the pool with the STYLUS TOUGH TG-630 iHS
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 7, 2013– The Olympus TOUGH line gets even tougher with the new mid-range STYLUS TOUGH TG-830 iHS and entry-level STYLUS TOUGH TG-630 iHS. Active photographers who want an action-packed camera to help them capture brilliant stills and high-speed full 1080p HD video as proof of their rugged adventures will gravitate to the STYLUS TOUGH TG-830 iHS. The rugged TG-830 iHS is perfect for a mountain adventure where a waterproof (down to 33 feet), shockproof (from 6.6-foot drops), crushproof (up to 220 pounds), freezeproof (down to 14°F) and dustproof body can withstand the elements. As intelligent as it is durable, it captures worry-free images in the most challenging environments with a 16-megapixel Back-Side Illuminated CMOS sensor and TruPic VI™ image processor.
Action photography is all about speed. Olympus iHS technology delivers with new high-speed shooting technology on the TG-830 iHS that captures High Speed video at 120 frames per second in 720p and 240 frames per second in HVGA along with High-Speed Sequential shooting of still images at the push of a button. Show off snowboarding stunts and other fast-moving action with slow-motion playback for that special touch. The TG-830 iHS, along with the STYLUS SH-50® iHS, another Olympus compact announced today, includes 60-frames-per-second HD recording, 60i Movie, for smoother images of moving subjects.
Adventurers may not have to leave one peak to capture the action on another thanks to a 5x optical zoom and 10x super-resolution zoom. Never decide between a still image and a movie with Multi- Recording that captures full HD video and images simultaneously. Camera shake caused by trembling hands is counteracted by dual image stabilization that moves the CMOS sensor via a shift-type image stabilization mechanism to reduce image blur. Built-in GPS records and displays locations and landmark information with every image so remembering that special location for birding, hunting, fishing or going downhill is simple.
Also announced today, the Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-630 iHS combines much of the technology of the TG-830 iHS in a new design at a budget-friendly price of under $200. The STYLUS TOUGH TG-630 iHS combines spectacular iHS-driven image quality with Olympus' tried-and-true waterproof (16ft), shockproof (5.5ft), freezeproof (14°F) and dustproof durability. Driven by a powerful TruePic VI™ image processor and Backlit-CMOS sensor, the TG-630 iHS captures vibrant stills even in tough lighting conditions, while the High-Speed Sequential Shooting provides frame-by-frame replay of all the action. 1080p Full HD Video, Dual Image Stabilization and advanced features like Backlit HDR, Multi-Motion Movie Image Stabilization and Hand-Held Starlight mean that this little guy is packed full of technology to deliver uncompromising image quality regardless of your surroundings.
Enhanced iAuto in both models automatically detects 34 different scenes like portrait, landscape, macro, and even Snow & Beach. Eleven Magic Art filters capture scenes with creative flair, and beauty make-up mode adds that extra hint of blush when needed.
Users can easily share their images on a big-screen HDTV in high definition using an optional HDMI cable or on their social networks using the Olympus Image Share smartphone application (via optional Toshiba FlashAir™ SDHC card or optional Eye-Fi Card).
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-830 iHS will be available in March with an Estimated Street Price: $279.99 (Available in Silver, Black, Red, and Blue)
