I've started discord
A compact digital camera that gives the impression that it has completely replaced smartphones. However, the Tough TG series is actually still popular in outdoor activities such as construction sites and marine sports. We will share our thoughts on actually using the latest model of this TG series, the OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7.
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The first digital camera for outdoor use in about four years has been released, "OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7"
For traditional users, the "OM SYSTEM" logo on the grip part will catch your eye. The grip itself has a good fingering grip and is easy to grip.
Four years after the previous model, "Tough TG-6", the latest compact digital camera for outdoor use
The TG series is a rare digital camera. The first generation, the TG-1, was released under the Olympus brand on June 15th, 2012. From there, the latest model, the OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 (estimated price: around 60,000 yen, below TG-7), announced on September 27, 2023, is a model that can be said to be synonymous with tough, compact digital cameras, which have been loved by heavy-use users for over 10 years.
The previous model, the TG-6, was released under the Olympus brand on July 26, 2019. After about four years, the TG-7 will be released under the OM SYSTEM brand, the first TG series to be released under the OM SYSTEM brand, but it was impressive that new products were announced overseas on September 13th, ahead of Japan, and although the major hardware change compared to the TG-6 was the only change from micro B to Type-C, many users were impressed by the positive reviews on the Internet and other media that the TG-7, which has been decided to be sold continuously in the OM SYSTEM brand.
The USB connector has been changed from micro B to Type-C. This is very welcome considering charging.
The reason why the TG-7 has undergone a model change for the first time in four years, even though there are almost no hardware changes, users' ratings are positive, with almost one-of-a-kind specifications. When it comes to writing down specs when introducing the latest digital camera models, the most standard is "○○○○ pixels, continuous shooting speeds are...." However, the specifications of the TG series of compact digital cameras are often described as "15m waterproof, waterproof, dustproof IP68, shockproof 2.1m, load resistant 100kgf, low temperature resistant -10°C, condensation resistant, and compact digital camera that can be washed with water if it gets dirty..." The TG series has an effective number of pixels of approximately 12 million pixels compared to the TG-1 released in 2012, with TG-3, TG-4, and TG-5 being approximately 16 million pixels, while the TG-6 and TG-7 being approximately 12 million pixels, the number of pixels being reduced. Furthermore, even after reviewing the model changes over the past 11 years, there is a strong impression that it is not a major improvement in specs, but rather that it has been steadily deepening, and this has probably gained the trust of users who are based on heavy use in tough environments.
Even before the release, I had the opportunity to use the latest model in the TG series, the OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7, for a long time, and I took it to solo camping, so I would like to share my thoughts with you all.
Recommended points
- Dust and water resistant with IP68 specifications that can be washed with water
- Water depth 15m and shock resistant 2.1m, which is not even dropped by the water
- 100kgf specification that allows you to safely sit on the camera by mistake
- Low temperature resistance -10°C, which is a great way to enjoy the upcoming winter season
- Equipped with microscope modes and live composites that achieve threatening macro performance
- Supports apps such as OI.Share and RAW photography and development
Points that interest me
- The same image engine as the TG-6 released four years ago
- Not compatible with subject recognition AF
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 |
|---|---|
| waterproof | IPX8 Depth 15m |
| Dustproof | IP6X |
| Shockproof | 2.1m |
| Load capacity | 100kgf |
| Low temperature resistance | −10℃ |
| Effective pixel count | Approximately 12 million pixels |
| Focal distance | 4.5-18.0mm 35mm format equivalent 25-100mm |
| Rear monitor | 3 inches (approx. 1.04 million dots) |
| Scene mode number | 16 |
| ISO sensitivity | 100〜12800 |
| Continuous shooting speed | Up to approximately 20 frames/sec |
| size | Approx. 113.9 x 32.7 x 65.8 mm |
| Weight | Approximately 249g (including battery and memory card) |
| toughness | ★★★★★ |
| Not worrying | ★★★★★ |
| Outdoor level | ★★★★☆ |
| image quality | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cost Performance | ★★★★☆ |
| Possibility to own | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
I don't want to bring in electrical appliances that I care about when camping solo
The TG-7 is guaranteed to have impact resistance, so it is placed on the edge of an outdoor table, but it is unlikely to be placed in this position on a regular camera.
If possible, don't you think you don't want to be careful about anything, just when you're solo? I generally don't want to worry about anything, whether I'm traveling in a solo camper van or when I'm camping alone. In other words, my outdoor solo activities are outdoor versions of outdoor activities, or in other words, outdoors.
Every human being wants to be seen by others, and I think it's because we want to build good relationships if possible. It's something that goes with your family, and I want to be a good husband or a good father. When taking photos for social media, there is a sense of consideration and consideration to be seen somewhere in the future. It's also possible that I'm a person of that level...
Perhaps because of this, when I go on a solo camper van or camping, the number of photos taken is reduced dramatically. Even smartphones and smartphones are used to handle things like interchangeable lens digital cameras, which are work tools, especially when they are outdoors near water. So we will no longer take photos.
You may encounter scenes and scenes that you should have brought your camera with you, but when you have a camera for work, awareness becomes the top priority, and smartphones are becoming more and more dust-resistant and waterproof models, but considering the importance of the data inside and the economic and time damage that can occur when the smartphone itself is damaged, I don't want to use it too actively in a tough outdoor field.
Of course, if you drop it from your pocket and get stuck in a puddle, it will break completely. After this, I wash the "TG-7" with water and use it normally.
However, the "TG-7" we tested this time is different. The shock-resistant structure is 2.1m according to MIL-STD-810, a laboratory test standard that meets environmental conditions such as temperature, vibration, shock, and water resistance for US defense equipment. The number one reason I bought a new smartphone in the past is that I dropped it from my pocket when I got in and out of a camper van and damaged the screen. With the "TG-7", this level of falling is fine in most scenes.
Furthermore, sudden problems occurring outdoors are caused by flooding. If you were filming it on the water and dropped it or it was hit by waves, you'd still be convinced. However, surprisingly, there was an accident where they were placed nearby when they were in the toilet or cooking, and then they got wet when they were placed on the table. Unfortunately, when I actually get up, my mood is still lower. However, the TG-7 is waterproof to 15m deep, meeting IPX8 waterproof standards. Since the camera is intended for use underwater, it will not break if it is submerged in water. Moreover, if it gets dirty, you can wash it with water.
It's common for people to keep their cameras on a chair when camping. It's probably a common problem for someone to sit down without realizing this.
Even just waterproofing and impact resistant means you need to be extremely careful about your camera. However, the TG-7 has a load capacity of 100kgf. The lens unit and electronic board inside the camera are structured to withstand a load of 100kgf. Roughly speaking, a person weighing 100kg can put it in their butt pockets and it won't break even when they sit down. Even if you don't want to sit down and break it, there are times when you camp or other people will sit down without realizing the camera you put on a chair for a while, so carrying the camera around will increase the number of situations you need to worry about, and it also adds to stress. However, the TG-7 doesn't have the stress that is obvious if you carry these cameras around.
By the way, the dustproof performance is IP6X, which shuts out sand and dust from entering, and winter is coming soon in Hokkaido, where I live, but the low temperature resistance is -10°C, and the lens is double glass structure, making it less likely to cloud even in places with extreme temperature differences. I'm also looking forward to these achievements.
This toughness specification is the same, including the previous model TG-6, so it's easy to see how many users choose the TG series as their partner that doesn't need to worry about at all, even in outdoor situations. I also realized the comfort that there is no need to worry about cameras. With the "TG-7", I felt that taking me out to a solo outdoors wouldn't be stressful.
It may seem a bit extreme, but in our house where we have a 3-year-old son, the camera placed on the table can sometimes be in this state, even if it's not camping.
F2.0, bright high-performance lenses and various modes are fun to master.
One of the major factors that ensures the beautiful image quality of the TG-7 is the bright lens with an open F2.0. This prevents image quality from deteriorated even in dark scenes.
The TG-7's image sensor (photo sensor) has an effective 1/2.33 inch pixel count of approximately 12 million pixels, making it the same as the latest smartphone. Conversely, it can also be said that while it has almost completely dustproof, waterproof, impact-resistant performance, the image quality is as high as the latest smartphones. Considering the prices of the latest smartphones, it can be said that it is cost-effective.
Moreover, the TG-7 uses a bright lens with a wide-angle end of F2.0, and covers the standard to medium telephoto range in 35mm format, making it extremely easy to use. In fact, bright lenses in digital cameras are extremely important for ensuring image quality. When the lens is bright, it can send a large amount of light to the image sensor in a short period of time, which reduces the need to increase the ISO sensitivity, preventing deterioration in image quality. To put it simply, it is difficult to reduce image quality even when shooting in a dark place.
If you can ensure image quality comparable to the latest smartphones, it's not a problem for ordinary people. However, many people, including myself, wear luxury lenses with interchangeable lens cameras and use 35mm full-size models with over 40 million pixels, are loyal to the TG series, including the TG-7. Although it is overwhelmingly tough, I believe that it is one of its charms is the wide variety of sophisticated shooting modes that are not found in interchangeable lens single-lens cameras, such as macro photography modes.
The microscope mode allows you to take bees that are about 1cm long, without any options, as shown in the photo. It's also nice that my son is very happy.
The TG-7 allows for threatening macro photography by approaching the subject up to 1cm from the tip of the lens. Even when using a macro lens from a typical interchangeable lens camera, you can only shoot at equal magnification (1x), but the TG-7 can reach 7x shooting magnification in 35mm format. Furthermore, macro modes that take advantage of the advantages of compact digital cameras that do not have with interchangeable lens cameras, such as a microscope mode that reaches 7x shooting magnification, a microscope control mode that allows you to capture subjects 1cm away from the lens up to 28x shooting magnification, a depth synthesis mode that allows you to capture multiple images while shifting the focus from the front to the back, and a focus bracket mode that allows you to take up to 30 frames while gradually shifting the focus position by simply pressing the shutter button once, and a macro mode that takes advantage of the advantages of compact digital cameras that are not available in interchangeable lens cameras, which are synonymous with the TG series, and these modes are firmly inherited by the TG-7.
When I go to camping, if I spot an insect, I take a picture in macro mode. It would be very happy to show this to my son, who has just turned 3, so I think this alone is worth carrying the TG-7 with me. Some people even say that they put TG series such as the TG-6 in their interchangeable lens single-lens camera bags, and use the TG series to perform macro photography. It is certainly a big attraction that it allows for macro photography to levels that cannot be achieved with an interchangeable lens single-lens camera.
This is just a photo taken for about 15 minutes using a live composite. You can easily capture the light traces of the starry sky with just one compact digital camera.
The author's recommendation is Live Composite as a shooting mode to use when going to camp. Many people may not be familiar with the name, but this mode automatically captures multiple images and combines only brightly changed locations. I'm sure many people have seen photographs of stars in starry sky scenery, which are expressed as lines in the night sky, and this is what makes it happen. There are cameras with similar functions for interchangeable lens cameras, but the setting is easy and the camera itself is light and small, so it is recommended that you can easily take pictures with a small tripod. I like the method of photographing star light traces with the "TG-7" from the time before the night begins to turn white, and combining the bluish sky and landscape. You can easily take impressive photos without post-processing.
This is an image taken in the scene mode "Sunset." Compared to the photos taken with "HDR backlight correction," I chose "Sunset" which gives a stronger impression of color.
Furthermore, when camping, I love sunsets and sunrise, so I want to take beautiful photos at the time of day, but unfortunately, compared to interchangeable lens single-lens cameras that use large image sensors, compact digital cameras and smartphones have a smaller dynamic range (in simple terms, the width of gradation from white to black), and I often give up on it. However, the TG-7 is equipped with scene modes such as "Sunset" and "HDR Backlight Correction", which often makes it more beautiful than enough to take pictures, so I enjoy taking photos. In addition to "Sunset" and "HDR Backlight Correction," the TG-7 also has many scene modes, and I still enjoy trial and error in how to use it effectively.
I thought it would be interesting to take a photo of about half the lens into the water. Another great thing about the TG-7 is that you can put your camera in the water in half the funniest.
The TG-7 has a waterproof function up to 15m in addition to the wide range of scene modes, but it is also possible to shoot from an angle from underwater, from the sea or the waves of the lake, so by combining these, it is naturally a big attraction of the TG-7, where you can enjoy more freedom in shooting without having to worry about being submerged or getting wet.
You may be surprised to hear that one of the things that I like about the TG-7 is that it allows you to take RAW images. Some people may not be familiar with this, but for people who take pictures of their works with interchangeable lens cameras, RAW images are more important than the JPEG images they usually take, and they are image formats that allow you to adjust the white balance, exposure, color mode, etc. using RAW development software after shooting. Generally, it is often possible to make adjustments that can be set during shooting later, but with the TG-7, RAW data shot in auto or scene modes that cannot be changed during shooting can be changed later, so it is highly recommended because you can adjust the images taken in these auto modes to your liking. It's free to download, so be sure to give it a try with "OM Workspace" and more.
"OM Workspace" is a genuine RAW development software that can be downloaded for free. This software is definitely something you should definitely use as it dramatically expands the range of photography expressions in the "TG-7".
"OI.Sare" is a de facto camera accessory and is fully downloaded.
OI.Ssare is a must-have application that is valuable to enable you to use your smartphone as a wireless remote control for the TG-7.
It seems that surprisingly many people have purchased the camera itself but have not downloaded related applications for smartphones or computers. For me, it seems like I've thrown away the camera I bought without using the accessories included.
The original RAW development software for computers that we have introduced, "OM Workspace," dramatically expands the range of controls for RAW images taken with the "TG-7," making it a must-have item if you are serious about enjoying the "TG-7", and the smartphone application "OI.Sare" comes with a free, high-performance wireless remote control, so we recommend downloading it.
Especially for those who want to take a starry sky with a live composite, the remote control function of "OI.Ssare" is essential. Live view shooting, which allows you to change the settings of your wireless camera, is very convenient if you master it.
In a sense, image transfer via Wi-Fi connection to a smartphone or other device can be considered a lifeline for waterproof cameras like the TG-7. OI.Sare photo transfer makes this easier, so OI.Sare is an essential application for TG-7 users. This is because the "TG-7" that was used for underwater photography, etc., only after thoroughly wiping off the moisture and drying it would be necessary to remove the SD card. If possible, you don't want to open the various camera covers until they are completely dry. In such cases, wireless image data transfer using "OI.Sare" is essential.
By using the photo transfer function of "OI.Sare" you can safely transfer photographic data to your smartphone even when the "TG-7" itself is still wet. This is very important.
Furthermore, the TG-7 has a field sensor function that acquires GPS and various sensor information and logs it. Latitude and longitude, direction, temperature, etc. are recorded, and maps can also be made to map on a map using the location information grant function in "OI.Sare". This allows you to check information such as which photos were taken and where you took while traveling, how much temperature was at the time, and which direction you were facing when you took the photos. For me, this is a very useful feature that is very suitable for interview trips. We highly recommend using this as well.
Summary: The best outdoor partner you don't need to worry about
No choice, not a single-lens camera, a smartphone, or a compact digital camera
There are very few cameras that can be washed with water with tableware at campsites. Washing it with water will remove dirt neatly, making you feel great.
To put it simply, it is safe to say that the TG series, including the TG-7, is almost one and only in the outdoor field, where the expression "TG-7", which is the latest model in the TG series, is perfect, rather than choosing the "TG-7" from a compact digital camera.
Most people don't choose the TG-7 because they want a high-performance compact digital camera, but instead choose the TG-7 as a partner that allows you to take high-quality photos without having to worry about interchangeable lens cameras or smartphones, even in tough fields where you are worried about submersion or damage. I am one of those people.
Interchangeable lens cameras are sometimes work tools, but due to their structure, they cannot be completely waterproof, and they are large and heavy and expensive, so they cannot be handled roughly. Also, although there are more and more waterproof smartphone models recently, the hassle of being damaged or lost is even more troublesome than when you drop your wallet. You just need to give up on cash in your wallet, but considering reissuing various cards and driver's licenses, you definitely don't want to lose them. In addition to this, smartphones are also durable, considering the impact on data only in smartphones and work, but they don't seem to want to be treated roughly in the outdoor field.
In contrast, the TG-7, a compact digital camera, is basically a tough outdoor field and can be used casually without worrying about it, making it the best companion that allows for high-quality photos that can only be taken with the TG series. By the way, the TG-7 allows for a variety of photographic expressions by combining the various auto modes of the camera body with RAW development software and smartphone apps, so it is also very interesting that you can enjoy shooting with a different approach than an interchangeable lens single-lens camera, making it a camera that makes you want to make a lot of effort.
If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you'll definitely need to know about this photo shoot partner.
Details and purchase of "OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7"
For product details, see OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7
Photography cooperation
Photography cooperation:
- 「Chitose Bifue Campground」
- Right next to New Chitose Airport! " Forever Camping Paradise "
Saito Titoce
