Olympus Stylus TG-2 iHS
Olympus made quite a splash last year when the company introduced the first system underwater compact camera, the TG-1. The Olympus TG-2 raises the bar by allowing you to submierge the camera 10 feet farther down, to depths of 50 feet. The camera continues to bee shockproof to drops of 6.6 feet, is dustproof, freezeproof to 14 degrees F, and can handle crushing weight to 220 pounds. Another new mode for this 12MP compact: Microscopic Macro, which digitally boosts zoom magnification up to 14x. As with its predecessor, the TG-2 can be expanded via a converter ring and waterproof fisheye and teleconverter lenses that can be used under the sea or on dry land. As with its predecessor the TG-2 users can share their images online direct from the camera via the optional Eye-Fi card and the Olympus Image Share smartphone app. The Olympus Stylus TG-2 will be available in Black and Red from Adorama in March for $379.99
Olympus TG-830 iHS/Olympus TG-630 iHS
While not as sophisticated as the TG-2, the Olympus TG-830 iHS and Olympus TG-630 iHS are self-contained, waterproof compact digital cameras that are designed to fit the budget needs of all photographers. The TG-830 is a true adventure camera: it is waterproof down to 33 feet, shockproof against drops to 6.6 feet, crushproof (220 pounds of pressure), freezeproof (down to 14 degrees F) and dustproof. At 16MP, the camera captures 1080p HD videos at regular speed, but can shoot high-speed videos at 120fps at full resolution and 240fps at 720p for super-slow motion. A self-contained 5x optical zoom lens captures mechanically stabilized images. Enhanced auto detects 34 different scenes and chooses the most appropriate one. The difference between the two cameras? They are mostly identical, but the lower-cost TG-630 submerges to 16 feet and is shockproof to 5.5 feet and that’s the extent of its ruggedness. The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-830 iHS will be available at Adorama in March for $279.99 in Silver or Black. The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-630 will also be available from Adorama in March in Red, White, Black, and Blue for $199.99.
Olympus SH-50 iHS
With a design nod to the interchangeable-lens Digital Pen line, the Olympus SH50 iHS is a pocket-sized superzoom compact digital camera featuring a 24x optical zoom lens with a 24-600mm (35mm equivalent) range. It shoots up to 16MP resolution stills and 1080i/60fps HD video and 720p at 120fps, so you can shoot slow-mo with it. The big news here? It’s the first point-and-shoot class camera with 5-axis video stabilization. Other features include a 3-inch touch LCD, Advanced Shadow Adjustment technology that reveals shadow detail, and Internet access via optional Eye-Fi cards. The Olympus Stylus SH-50 iHS will be available from Adorama in March in Black or White, for $299.99.
Olympus SZ-16/SZ-15 iHS
The Olympus SZ-16 and SZ-15 cameras share the same 24x optical zoom superzoom lens. The SZ-16 has a multi-shot Hand-Held Starlight mode, possibly of interest to nighttime shooting, and 1080p video capture, as well as a 16MP CMOS sensor, while the SZ15 has an older 14-MP sensor. The cameras, both available from Adorama in March, will cost $200 for the SZ15 and $230 for the SZ16.
All new Olympus cameras will be available in March from Adorama.
