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Olympus makes its top Tough camera tougher

The new Stylus Tough TG-2 iHS is prepared to go down to 50 feet underwater.

Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials
  • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
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Joshua Goldman

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LAS VEGAS--It seems like just a couple months ago Olympus announced the Tough TG-1 iHS, its first rugged compact with an f/2.0 lens. It was actually in May 2012, so I guess it's not completely out of the question that Olympus is launching its update.

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The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-2 iHS doesn't appear to be all that different from its predecessor. It still has a 12-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a 4x f2.0-4.9 25-100mm lens with an adapter ring for add-on lenses, and a high-res 3-inch OLED screen.

Olympus Stylus Tough cameras at CES 2013 (pictures)

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It looks like the biggest differences are that it can now be taken down 50 feet underwater -- 10 feet deeper than the TG-1 -- and a new Microscopic Macro function digitally boosts zoom magnification from 4x to 14x.

The TG-2 hits stores in black and red versions in March for $379.99.

Olympus also announced two other rugged cameras, the Stylus Tough TG-830 iHS and TG-630 iHS. The former is waterproof down to 33 feet, shockproof from 6.6-foot drops, crushproof up to 220 pounds, freezeproof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and dustproof. The latter is waterproof to 16 feet, shockproof to 5.5 feet, freezeproof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and dustproof.

Both available in March, the TG-830 iHS is $279.99, while the TG-630 iHS is $199.99.

Watch this: Rugged underwater camera showdown