Olympus TG-830 iHS Review | 108 Data compared

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Olympus TG-830 as an affordable, high-value rugged camera featuring a 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, 5x optical zoom, and 1080p video with GPS functionality. Known for its durable, waterproof, and shockproof design, it offers high-speed shooting at 11.5 fps. Key drawbacks include a narrow maximum aperture of f/3.9–5.9, limiting low-light performance, and fast battery depletion when using the GPS feature. Despite this, it is praised for good image quality and an intuitive menu system for outdoor users.

The $279.99 Olympus Tough TG-830 iHS is a rugged 16-megapixel camera capable of withstanding depths up to 33 feet, freezing temperatures, and drops, featuring secure double-locking doors. It boasts a sharp 5x optical zoom lens, 10fps burst shooting, and built-in GPS for geotagging. However, the camera is limited by a slow f/3.9-5.9 aperture that hinders low-light performance, along with shaky 1080p video recording. Additionally, it lacks an external charger and features a lower-resolution 460k-dot rear LCD screen compared to previous models.

The Olympus Tough TG-830 iHS is a mid-level rugged compact camera that offers a solid balance of price and durability. It is built to survive harsh environments, boasting waterproof capabilities up to 33 feet, a drop-resistance rating from heights of 7 feet, crushproof protection up to 220 foot-pounds, and freeze-proof performance down to 14°F. Key advantages highlighted in the review include its highly responsive performance, featuring a quick 1.4-second startup time and a swift 10 frames per second high-speed burst shooting mode. Additionally, it features an accurate built-in GPS that logs coordinates in 30 seconds, a sharp 5x zoom lens, and double-locking doors that securely protect critical ports, the battery, and the SDXC card slot from water entry. However, the camera suffers from notable trade-offs that prevent it from being a top-tier choice. The 5x zoom lens features a narrow, variable aperture of f/3.9-5.9, which restricts light intake and requires users to crank up the ISO setting in low-light environments like underwater snorkeling, resulting in higher image noise. Video quality is a mixed bag; while the 1080p footage is sharp,...

The Olympus Tough TG-830 iHS ($279.99 direct) is a mid-level, rugged compact camera that offers a solid balance of durability and features for its price. Built to withstand harsh environments, it is waterproof up to 33 feet, drop-proof from 7 feet, crushproof up to 220 foot-pounds, and freezeproof down to 14°F. Key advantages of this 16-megapixel shooter include an accurate and fast-locking built-in GPS for automatic photo geotagging, a highly responsive performance with a rapid 1.4-second start-and-shoot time, and a swift high-speed burst mode capable of capturing 10 frames per second. Additionally, it features a center-sharp 5x optical zoom lens (25-125mm equivalent) and secure double-locking doors to protect its memory card slot and ports from water damage. Despite these strengths, the camera has notable limitations that keep it from being a top-tier performer in low-light environments or for video use. A primary drawback is its slow f/3.9-5.9 variable aperture lens, which forces users to rely on higher, noisier ISO settings when shooting underwater or in low light, unlike the superior f/2 lens found on the higher-end Olympus TG-1 and TG-2...

The Olympus TG-830 iHS is a durable, "life-proof" compact camera tailored for outdoor use, offering reliable 16 MP image quality and high-definition video through an efficient auto-shooting mode. Key advantages highlighted include its rugged, double-locking design, ease of operation with gloves, and simple, aquatic maintenance. Trailspace Limitations of the device include a limited 5x optical zoom and a tendency for the sensor to struggle with extreme color saturation. Furthermore, the camera relies on proprietary cables and features a 3-inch LCD screen that can be difficult to view in bright, direct light.

The Olympus Tough TG-830 iHS is a mid-level rugged point-and-shoot camera built to withstand harsh environments. Priced at $279.99 direct, it can submerge up to 33 feet underwater, survive a 7-foot drop, endure 220 foot-pounds of pressure, and operate in freezing temperatures down to 14°F. On the positive side, the camera is highly responsive, featuring a quick 1.4-second startup time and a swift high-speed burst mode capable of capturing 16 full-resolution shots at 10 frames per second. It includes a built-in GPS that acquires a satellite signal in about 30 seconds for automatic photo geotagging. Additionally, its 5x zoom lens (25-125mm equivalent) delivers impressive center sharpness, scoring 2,051 lines per picture height in benchmark tests. However, the camera has notable limitations regarding optics and video performance. Its 5x zoom lens features a slow f/3.9-5.9 variable aperture, which struggles in low-light environments like underwater snorkeling or spelunking, forcing users to increase the ISO sensitivity. While image noise stays under control up to ISO 800, it falls behind competitors like the Canon PowerShot D20 and Olympus' own TG-1 in higher-light sensitivities. Video...