OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS Stylus TG-2 iHS Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Red) (Old Model)

=============Updated Jan 5, 2014=============Original comments stand - very happy with this cameraFlash pictures with dark background are particularly well exposed - fill flash also greatcontrol dial for changing modes is hard to change - impossible with gloves onScreen is very hard to see underwater with googles on - almost useless at times, I resort to aim/frame by guessing and shoot a lot=============End Update=============I've only had this for a few days and will update the review in a few weeks with more detail.My first impression is that this is a great little carry-everywhere camera.You get this one for toughness first of all, and that it is. see the specs - but you will be able to take this in the pool, in the ocean, oncamping trips , skiing etc, with no worries.The image quality is good at resolutions most people use.If you view/exchange pictures in emails or on the web, you will be fine. If you want to make mural size photos, this is not for you.The image colors and saturation are great - right off the camera most pictures are well exposed.handling is wonderful, especially with the small finger grip on the front of the camera.GPS is easy to use and accurate. magic mode filters are fun to play with but might get old - I would have added a black and white filter. Nothing more fun that setting the magic mode to fisheye and talking a selfie from the sink full of water looking up!The aperture priority mode will not be used by most people. it's partially only useful - with 3 preset aperture settings, not all values.setting is thru the back controls and menus, not via a dedicated dial (understandable for this price range)It would be nice to have a RAW output mode, and to be able to apply filters after the image is taken,depth of field is pretty large, given that the lens is 4.5 - 18 mm (25-100mm in standard 35mm equivalent)some have mentioned that the controls are hard to use with gloves on - that is correct. I don't see this as a big impediment,also, some have mentioned that the LCD (OLED) screen is hard to see in bright light - I can't verify this yet as I've had no problemsIn short, the best camera is the one you will carry with you and use, and this is a good and capable package that is easy to carry and you won't worry about water, dirt, snow etc.

In summary, I’m disappointed with my Olympus TG-2. Bought the camera for a vacation trip. Tested it in a pool before going and worked great; no leaks, no problems. After 3 days on vacation the camera failed. Wouldn’t take pictures. The doors didn’t leak. It just wouldn’t turn on to take pictures. I could get the GPS tracking to work and used it for that the rest of the trip. During the first 3 days I went snorkeling once or twice a day to depths of about 10 feet. The only thing I think I could have done better is more regular rinsing; I may have missed a day.The camera has been repaired by Olympus under warranty. No issues here, fast turn-around. Camera is working again.Picture quality seems fair, could be better but I didn’t review the pictures until back home so I may have been able to tweak some settings or my style for better quality. On the positive side the camera does turn on fast, take pictures quickly, GPS works, and I thought was easy to operate. I was very happy with it until it failed.Others on my trip bought less expensive cameras, the pictures looked good and their cameras didn’t fail. Given the price of this camera, I feel I would have been better buying 2 less expensive waterproof cameras. Then I would have 2 batteries plus a backup camera if the first one fails. Whatever you do bring a backup regular camera to take “dry” pictures just in case. I didn’t, thought I had a tough camera.

The best thing about this camera is its underwater function. The sad thing is that it's temperamental.After the last few weeks of struggling to get this camera to work consistently, it's finally defunct. It used to sometimes stop responding to the dial, but after a turn off, let sit, turn back on again it would work. Now it no longer responds, it doesn't zoom, focus, or take video (you know, that noisy clicking sound video everyone reports and hates).Yes, I meticulously cleaned this camera after every use. No, it was never dropped or abused. Yes, it's definitely defunct.For such an expensive camera that's just two years old, it's disappointing to say in the least. This is my first - and very last - Olympus camera purchase.Not recommended because of short life expectancy combined with only mediocre picture quality. Was fun to take underwater pictures while it lasted.

Very happy with this, works as advertised and have had no issues after multiple pool sessions! My 5 and 10 year olds have no problem operating it, and love Magic Mode even though it's a bit cheesy.Slow motion of 120 fps (at 640x480) is lots of fun too.

I read several reviews before I purchased this camera and I must say that it does not live up to the hype at all.Not only is the picture quality lacking, but it did not save pictures that I know that I took and reviewed before moving onto taking another shot.It would not always focus in on an object, even tried several different settings.The part that bothered me the most is everything in the LCD screen seems to be RED.Overall I would not reccommend this camera.

Love it, great underwater pics