The smartphone all however pushed out the point-and-shoot digicam. However at the same time as Gen Z rediscovers dedicated compact cameras, there’s one other class that has quietly remained all alongside: the waterproof compact. Somewhat than beating telephones in picture high quality, they outdo them in functionality.
In my decade of reviewing cameras, there is a compact that has lengthy sat on the prime for its sturdy construct and vibrant lens: the TG sequence from OM System (previously Olympus). The corporate not too long ago launched its newest waterproof point-and-shoot, the OM System TG-7. Waterproof all the way down to 50 toes and drop-proof from as much as 6.9 toes, the TG-7 goes the place even splash-resistant smartphones cannot.
Digital point-and-shoot cameras are in again. Here’s what to know before buying one
Sorry, ’90s infants. Your aesthetic is classic now, nevertheless it’s again in type and a point-and-shoot is the proper method to obtain it.
However heading underwater is not the one factor this digicam can do. Its macro mode can solely be described as microscopic. After all, the query with any point-and-shoot is can it produce higher outcomes than a telephone? I shot a number of scenes side-by-side with the TG-7 and my iPhone 15 Professional. The TG-7 gained in a handful — and survived a swim and a number of drops.
OM System TG-7 Underwater Digicam
Beneficial
A tricky, succesful compact digicam
The OM System TG-7 is a compact digicam that may go the place different cameras cannot and take epic macro pictures. However do not count on higher than smartphone-quality pictures.
- Sturdy, waterproof physique
- Glorious 11x macro mode
- Brilliant f2.0 lens
- Picture high quality is not excellent
- Few updates from TG-6
- No touchscreen
Worth, specs and availability
The OM System TG-7 retails for $550. It is the primary TG digicam to bear the OM System label.
OM System TG-7 Underwater Digicam
- Model
- OM System
- Sensor
- 12 megapixel 1/2.3″
- Decision
- 4,000 x 3,000
- Lens
- 4.5mm -18.0mm f2.0-f4.9
- Zoom
- 4x optical
- Show Measurement
- 3 inch
- Max burst velocity
- 20 fps
- Stabilization
- Optical sensor stabilization (stills), digital stabilization (video)
- Sturdiness
- IPX8
- Video
- 4k at 30fps
- Dimensions
- Approx. 4.48 x 2.59 x 1.28″
- Weight
- 8.8 ounces
Design
Small however sturdy
You’ll be able to tuck the TG-7 right into a jacket pocket or seaside bag. At lower than a pound, it is also weighs about as a lot as a telephone.
Regardless of its stature, the TG-7 affords set of controls. The highest homes the shutter launch, zoom toggle, on/off button, and a change to shortly flip GPS logging on and off. The buttons and dials on the again make it simple to shortly change capturing modes, activate the self-timer, or activate the built-in flash.
For the last word sturdiness take a look at, I even handed it over to my sticky-fingered four-year-old. The TG-7 was unfazed via all of it.
However the spotlight of the TG-7’s design is its sturdy housing. The digicam is IP6X-certified and rated to outlive a pressure 220 kilos in crush assessments.
I spent an hour with the TG-7 in a pool. I tossed it in a snowbank. For the last word sturdiness take a look at, I handed it over to my sticky-fingered four-year-old. The TG-7 got here out unfazed via all of it.
Briefly, the TG-7 can survive eventualities telephones cannot. I nonetheless cannot take my iPhone 15 Professional for an hour-long swim. And danger a cracked display with a 6.9-foot drop? No, thanks.
Nevertheless, the rugged construct does imply the rear LCD is not a touchscreen. Level-and-shoots hardly ever accommodate equipment, however the TG-7 can accommodate a telephoto or fish eye adapter, in addition to a hoop gentle. OM System additionally affords a housing that extends the bare digicam’s 50-foot depth ranking all the way down to round 147 toes.
Photograph and video efficiency
Robust to beat macro efficiency
Level-and-shoots aren’t identified for his or her snappy efficiency, however the TG-7 has a couple of options that set it aside. It features a 20 fps burst mode that can enhance your odds of capturing the proper shot. That is quicker than some mirrorless cameras.
Nevertheless, autofocus efficiency is not a energy of the TG-7. The main focus level tends to remain caught in the midst of the body. The TG-7 does function eye detection autofocus, which helps issues a bit.
I skilled the occasional autofocus miss with the TG-7, however general the main focus system stored up pretty effectively, particuarly for a digicam at this worth level.
The place the TG-7 shines is in how shut it could monitor a topic. The macro mode is so good, I used to be capable of {photograph} particular person snowflakes. It is a function you simply will not discover on telephones. I might place the TG-7 in entrance of a window to {photograph} a snowflake on the opposite facet of the glass.
OM System added a couple of options to benefit from these capabilities. The TG-7 can carry out focus stacking in digicam to provide sharper photos. There is not any want to make use of Photoshop, and the TG-7 will save each the unique and the sharper stacked photograph, so you possibly can at all times choose the model you favor.
The TG-7’s autofocus capabilities translate to video too. Clips function the same degree of sharpness and vibrancy as stills. Nevertheless, as TG-7 is proscribed to 4K seize at 30fps, and the stabilization is digital solely, video efficiency is not the explanation to purchase this digicam.
For stills, optical sensor stabilization is out there. It is not as succesful as what you may discover on OM System’s mirrorless cameras, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a pleasant increase when capturing low-light snaps and utilizing the 4x zoom.
Picture high quality
Good however not nice
After I examined the TG-7, I took a couple of side-by-side snapshots with my iPhone 15 Pro to check picture high quality. OM System’s waterproof compact excelled in a couple of areas, although in the long run I most well-liked the iPhone for capturing low-light and indoor scenes.
The TG-7 includes a 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch backlit sensor that is pretty typical for a point-and-shoot. Actually, it is the identical sensor you may discover on the TG-6. It is really a terrific mannequin to check with the newest iPhone as a result of the 4,000 x 3,000 decision stills produced by the TG-7 are shut sufficient to these captured by the iPhone. In most eventualities, I discovered pictures from the TG-7 have been roughly on par with these from the iPhone.
What units the TG-7 aside from different waterproof compacts is its lens. At its widest, the lens has a vibrant f2 aperture that allows extra gentle than the typical compact digicam. Moreover, the lens has a 4x optical zoom, however low-light high quality drops when utilizing the zoom performance as a result of the aperture narrows to f4.9 on the lengthy finish.
The TG-7 produces sharp and colourful photos. At occasions, the sharpness feels a bit over-the-top, however for a compact digicam, it is fairly good. Even heading underwater, the TG-7 retains good shade and element — although, like every digicam underwater, it’ll be influenced by the readability of the water.
That stated, essentially the most enjoyable I had with the TG-7 was that microscope mode I discussed. Issue within the in-camera focus stacking and you will get some nice outcomes. There’s some occasional shade fringing, however contemplating the value, it is forgivable.
I used to be much less impressed with the TG-7 once I took it indoors. Whenever you’re outdoors adventuring, it is simple to overlook that it is a primary point-and-shoot. Inside, photos shortly change into grainy. I most well-liked the pictures that I took with the iPhone in a darkish hallway.
The TG-7 lacks a full guide mode, nevertheless it does embrace an aperture precedence choice, and it could shoot RAW information for extra versatile edits.
Verdict
The OM System TG-7 can go the place most telephones and different cameras cannot, making it match for anybody with an adventurous spirit. The TG-7 can be a superb choice for teenagers too previous for a chintzy toy digicam however not but sufficiently old to be trusted to care for a mirrorless digicam. I really purchased its predecessor, the TG-6, for my 11-year-old. Apart for a couple of small scratches on the display, it is nearly as good because the day it got here out of the field.
Nevertheless, that is additionally one in every of my hesitations for recommending the TG-7. Outdoors the brand new OM System identify on the entrance and the change to a USB-C port, there are few variations between the TG-6 and TG-7. When you do not thoughts the microUSB port, it can save you $50 by going with the older mannequin. A bigger sensor would have helped the digicam to beat out a smartphone in each class. I would not advocate the TG-7 for any kind of restricted gentle. It is not going to beat out your present telephone in these conditions.
Best cameras for beginners: Photographer tested and reviewed
New to images? The most effective newbie cameras can seize beautiful pictures and movies with out costing a fortune.
My different hesitation is worth — you possibly can choose up a GoPro Hero 11 Black for $200 much less. The motion digicam is video-focused, nevertheless, and would not supply the identical macro capabilities. Nonetheless, it is a hefty worth for those who’re simply selecting up a water-proof digicam for a once-in-a-lifetime trip and never common use.
The OM System TG-7’s largest benefit goes the place a smartphone cannot and getting nearer than even a pro-grade macro lens. However for those who’re searching for a compact digicam that may beat out the pictures coming out of your telephone in each regard, this is not it.
OM System TG-7 Underwater Digicam
$520 $550 Save $30
Trending Merchandise
