Olympus goes unconventional, offers three models in the tough camera line up at CES.
While the main focus of this year’s CES seems to be on TVs, camera makers too are making their mark. Amidst announcements form Nikon and Canon, we also had Olympus unveil three new tough cameras.
The first camera from Olympus is the TG-2 (pictured below), the updated version of the company’s popular TG-1. While the TG-2 retains the TG-1’s 12 megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor and the f/2.0 lens, what’s improved is the ruggedness of the camera and the inclusion of a microscopic macro mode that’s bound to appeal to macro photographers.
The lens has a starting aperture of f/2.0 which goes all the way to f/4.9 through the zoom range of 25-100mm, but the lens comes with an adapter ring for more attachments. The camera can be taken up to 50 feet deep under water and can withstand drops from heights of 6 feet. The ruggedized body also serves to protect the TG-2 against the elements as freezing temperatures as low as -10 Celsius wouldn’t have any effect on the camera.
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The other two models revealed by Olympus are the TG-830 iHS and the TG-630 iHS. Olympus also announced two other rugged cameras, the Stylus Tough TG-830 iHS and TG-630 iHS. The former is waterproof down to 10m, shockproof from 2m drops, crushproof up to 100kg, freezeproof down to -10 degrees Celcius, and dustproof. The latter is waterproof to 4.8m, shockproof to 1.6m, freezeproof down to -10 degrees Celcius, and dustproof. The TG-830 iHS gets a 16 megapixel sensor while the TG-630 iHS incorporates a 12 megapixel sensor.
The TG-2 will be available mid-march in the US for a retail price of $379.99 while the TG-830 iHS and TG-630 iHS will cost $279.99 and $199.99 respectively. No word on India availability or pricing.
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| TG-830 iHS (below) | ||
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