Olympus launches waterproof Tough TG-810

Olympus is out to prove that tough doesn’t necessarily mean dumb.

The Tough TG-810 is not only waterproof to 10 metres it offers GPS geotagging, an electronic compass and can shoot HD video and 3D images.

The 14-megapixel compact is dust, sand and dirt proof, “crushproof” to 100kg, “shockproof” to two metres and “freezeproof” to -10°C.

There’s a 28-140mm zoom on the front of the camera and a reinforced 3-inch, 920K HyperCrystal III LCD screen on the back. Sensor-shift stabilisation reduces camera shake in low light and at long zoom settings.

The Olympus TG-810 also offers geo-tagging functionality with a built-in GPS unit and an electronic compass allowing location and orientation information to be stored with pictures.

A trickle-down feature from Olympus’ E-series DSLR models is “Magic Filters”, which lets users to add a range of effects to their pictures, such as Pop Art, Pin Hole, Fisheye, Sketch, Soft Focus, Punk, Watercolour and Sparkle. Pop, Pin Hole, Sketch Soft Focus, Punk and Watercolour can be used in movie mode as well.

Olympus says the new model has been designed to be easier to use underwater. New sensors recognise when it is in water and automatically activate i-Underwater Snapshot mode, which changes colour and white balance settings to suit underwater photography. And to prevent users taking the camera too deep, a built-in pressure sensor warns if the depth gets close to 10m.

The Olympus Tough TG-810 retails for $599 and is available in black, silver and blue.
More info: www.olympus.com.au