Olympus Tough TG-6
Announced May 22, 2019
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a durable, pocketable camera designed for adventurous environments where smartphones may struggle. While it provides excellent macro capabilities and a bright f/2 lens, its small sensor limits image quality in low-light conditions.
Weighted from 20 reviewer scores
Pros
- Bright f/2.0 lens with impressive macro performance
- Supports 4K video and RAW format shooting
- Rugged, waterproof, and shock-proof build
- Advanced environmental sensors and location tools
- Expandable via a range of accessories
Cons
- Limited image quality due to small sensor size
- Lacks full manual control
- Confusing and unintuitive menu system
- Screen prone to scratches and visibility issues
- Poor battery life
- Launch price $449.99 (USD)
- Sensor 12MP Smaller than 1-inch CMOS
What the Reviewers Say
All 20 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 76/100
The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a well-designed rugged camera with a broad feature set, good image quality for its class and a host of environment sensors that store everything from location to temperature in your photos.
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The Olympus TOUGH TG range has been massively popular since its launch in 2012. The TOUGH TG-6 and its predecessors are at the top end of the waterproof compact price range, but people are happy to part with their cash for the excellent design and advanced features they offer.
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In a world where the compact camera market has been virtually wiped out by smartphones, the Tough TG-6 builds on its own niche in an area few smartphones are willing – or able – to go.
- WIRED 8/10
The latest pocket camera from Olympus is a go-anywhere device that soars where smartphones crash.
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The Olympus Tough TG-6 may be a fairly subtle update to the TG-5 but improves it in a number of ways, making it easier to get better results under water, and makes the most of the impressive macro capabilities of the lens.
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There’s a lot of great features to like about the Olympus TG-6, but it’s the fact that it’s a camera that will survive pretty much anything you wish to throw at it that makes it the most appealing.
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A modest upgrade on the TG-5, but the tweaks help solidify its place as our favourite waterproof camera.
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At first glance – and even second and third glance – the Olympus Tough TG-6 seems indistinguishable from the TG-5. However, with a screen that's double the resolution, high speed video options and a new underwater mode, the TG-6 packs some worthwhile new features.
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The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a modest update to our favorite underwater point-and-shoot camera thanks to its tough design, bright lens, and excellent macro capabilities.
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The Olympus Tough TG-6 is relatively easy to use and intuitive to operate, while image quality is fair without being outstanding, and build quality is reassuringly substantial.
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As a standalone camera, I think it's still the best like an all-round tough camera out there, and as a stills, it's also the best Tough series so far, no doubt about it.
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This is the best waterproof tough compact you can buy, with all the positives and negatives that the descriptor implies.
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When I first looked into the Olympus Tough series, I was a little dubious about the amazingly positive reviews.
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I did enjoy myself shooting with the Olympus TG-6 tremendously [...]
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The Olympus Tough TG-6 is the perfect camera for the adventurous soul.
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I think this is a great all-round choice for if you go out hiking, you're quite adventurous, and you want a camera you don't have to sort of be too much, something that's gonna take some knocks and still work extremely well.
- KelbyOne Insider 80%
I have several problems with the Tough TG-6: The shutter button offers too much resistance, resulting in occasional camera movement; the grip is too shallow; and, since there’s no EVF, the fixed 3″ 1.04 million-dot LCD is the only means for composing a picture.
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If you’re looking for an exceptionally durable and reliable waterproof camera, the Olympus Tough is a good choice. This underwater camera’s unique selling point is that it’s waterproof, shock-proof, crushproof, and freezeproof.
- We Are Explorers 81/100
Testing out the Olympus Tough TG-6 has been a bit of a personal journey for me. There’s definitely positives to carrying a tough point and shoot for outdoor adventures, especially if you’re looking to get photos for your personal memories, or social media.
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It’s durable, snappy, and weird looking. It’s affordable, fun, and easy to use. 100 thumbs up, A++, 5 stars.
