Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4 Adventureproof P&S: f/2.0 Lens, RAW Images, Underwater HDR

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4 Adventureproof P&S: f/2.0 Lens, RAW Images, Underwater HDR

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Center Valley, PA—Olympus is expanding outdoor shooting and sharing capabilities with the Stylus Tough TG-4. The successor to the Tough TG-3, it boasts improved performance for crisper images in extreme conditions, with a high-speed f/2.0 lens, RAW capture, advanced macro capabilities, underwater modes, a nighttime live composite mode, integrated Wi-Fi and the Olympus Image Share smartphone companion app for instant sharing, GPS, a multifunction eCompass and AF target selection.

Built for extreme conditions, the TG-4 is waterproof to 50 feet, crushproof to withstand 220 pounds, shockproof to survive a 7-foot drop, freezeproof down to 14°F and dustproof.

Its wide-angle 25mm to telephoto 100mm, f/2.0 lens is engineered to produce images with reduced blur, particularly when capturing fast action or shooting in low light. The large aperture enables shooting with minimal noise at a lower ISO speed while snorkeling, exploring dimly lit areas or capturing shots in poor weather conditions, for example. The lens is finished with a scratch-resistant coating, and the camera’s DSA (Dual Super Aspherical) technology has a high refractive index and aberration compensation capabilities. In addition, HR/HD (high refractive index/high dispersion) lenses are used to suppress chromatic aberration.

The TG-4 also provides a variable macro system with a microscope mode that can capture subjects 1 cm away from the end of the lens at a focal length of 100mm. The lens magnifies subjects up to 44.5x with its super resolution zoom. To ensure macro shots are clear, the camera also uses a focus-stacking mode that captures eight shots continuously while shifting the focus from the foreground to the background. Focused areas are extracted and merged to produce a single photo with maximum depth of field.

For the first time in the Olympus Tough line, the TG-4 offers RAW shooting for maximum resolution capture as well as AF target selection. Advanced users can expand their creativity by using the included Olympus Viewer 3 software to fine-tune exposure, contrast, white balance and color balance when editing RAW images. AF Target selection allows for more convenient shooting; photographers use the arrow pad to set a preferred focus area to enhance focusing accuracy, frame the shot, select the focus point, and capture the subject.

Images can be shared instantly once the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi is configured by scanning the QR code displayed on the camera’s screen with an iOS/Android smart device. Then on subsequent Wi-Fi activations, the camera automatically connects to that device. Via the Olympus Image Share (OI.Share) app, users can upload images to social networks, display a live view from the camera, and control the TG-4 remotely from the smart device.

In addition, the camera’s onboard GPS can be used to display and record landmark information with every shot. The system is said to pinpoint the user’s location in under 10 seconds via multiple satellite systems, and the Olympus Image Track (OI.Track) app includes GPS data when sharing and uploading images and video from a smart device. Plus, the camera’s multifunction eCompass provides barometric pressure, altitude and water depth as it displays direction.

Additional new features include: two custom modes (C1 and C2) on the mode dial for access to favorite settings; a live composite feature (the brightest areas from multiple sequentially shot images are extracted and composited to capture light displays); and underwater HDR that corrects color tones and changes the exposure while shooting multiple images to create an underwater HDR photo.

Olympus also added to its optional accessories lineup: the sport holder CSCH-123 with a carabiner that can be used to secure the TG-4 to a backpack or belt and remove it with a single hand; and the underwater case PT-056 is pressure-resistant and has a black coating on the polycarbonate body to prevent light beam leakage.

The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4 will be available in black or red beginning in May 2015 for an MSRP of $379.99. olympusamerica.com

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