Olympus today announced the latest in its lineup of all-weather “Tough” compact digital cameras (plus significantly lower kit pricing on two-lens kits for travel and portrait photography) designed for its highly-regarded lineup of Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable-lens compact digital cameras.
Olympus TG-Tracker, Ready for Action
Topping the list is the Olympus TG-Tracker, a ruggedized camera that Olympus has optimized for high-definition action videos at remote locations. It also captures MP still photos, but that’s not its main job. The camera is designed to be worn while participating in active sports and outdoor adventures.
The Adorama Learning Center was the first in the world to use this camera for test shots.
We absolutely loved testing this camera to its limits, including taking it skateboarding, surfing in frigid waters, and even freezing it! You can watch the video here.
Olympus TG-Tracker Key Features
- 4K, 30p video
- Slow-motion video at 720 p available
- 8MP, 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor
- Waterproof to 100 ft
- Shockproof to 7 ft
- Freezeproof to 14 F
- Crushproof to 220 lbs
- Dustproof
- 13.9mm (equivalent) fixed focal length f/2 lens
- 204-degree angle of view
- Shutter speeds 1/2-1/24,000 sec
- Built-in LED lamp up to 60 lumens
- 1.5-inch monitor
In addition to being waterproof, crushproof, shockproof, freezeproof and dustproof, the TG-Tracker stakes out new territory by including not just GPS but an eCompass, accelerometer, thermometer, and barometer.
Olympus provides an app that shows your altitude and records it in tandem with action videos. So, if you’re skiing downhill, it will show your altitude at any given moment in a chart on your mobile device as you play the video back.
The camera delivers 4K video at 30p, but can also provide 1080/60p, and up to 240p slow-motion video recording at 720 and 480-pixel resolution. It can record up to 29 minutes of continuous video and then records over that when in continuous loop mode. 5-axis image stabilization should smooth out recordings when moving over rocky terrain, and a stereo microphone is built-in to capture the sounds.
The non-zooming lens has a wide depth of field, with closest fix focus of 7.8 inches. A forward-facing LED array projects either 60 or 30 lumens (what you lose in lumens you gain in recording time, 30 or 60 minutes. The camera is compatible with Windows and Mac OS computers.
The Olympus TG-Tracker can be pre-ordered from Adorama for $349.99 in Green or Black. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until orders ship.
Specialized lens kits
Olympus has also created two kits to take the guesswork out of choosing the right lenses for two of the most popular photographic pastimes, portrait and travel photography with special kit prices.
Olympus chose two lenses that cover a range from sweeping scenics to stunning portrait photography, and flash-free low-light photography. The M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II is an all-in-one superzoom lens that covers a range from 28-300mm equivalent on a 35mm sensor camera. That’s enough to capture a wide range of situations without changing lenses. However, since it’s a smaller-aperture lens, Olympus also includes the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8, a super-fast prime lens that’s a modest wide-angle. It’s a premium lens that’s especially well-suited for street photography and nighttime shooting without the need for a flash.
If purchased separately, the lenses would cost around $1,180. However, the Olympus Travel Lens Kitcan be pre-ordered now from Adorama at a special kit price of $799.99
Since quality glass and modest telephoto focal lengths are desirable qualities for portrait photography, Olympus has paired together two of its highest-quality lenses, the M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8 (35mm equivalent: 90mm) and M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 (35mm equivalent: 150mm). Both lenses have wide apertures, allowing for shallow depth of field and rapid focus fall-off that truly flatters the subject. The 45mm is especially suited for children and pet photography while the 75mm model is ideal for studio portraits, theater stages, and indoor sports photography.
If purchased separately, the lenses would cost around $1,400. However, the Olympus Portrait Lens Kit can be pre-ordered now from Adorama at a special kit price of $999.98.
Both kits come complete with lens cases and hoods to keep out flare.
