Olympus Tough TG-3: The Ultimate Adventure Camera

The Olympus Tough TG-3 is a camera built for the outdoors. With its rugged design, waterproof capabilities, and impressive image quality, it's the perfect choice for adventure seekers who want to capture their experiences in stunning detail.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus Tough TG-3 article cover photo

Key Features

Mar 31 2014

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3'
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight247g
MSRP$349USD

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Overview of the Tough TG-3

If you're someone who loves to explore the great outdoors, you know that finding the right camera to capture your adventures can be a challenge. But with the Olympus Tough TG-3, you can have the best of both worlds. Not only is this camera built to withstand the elements, but it also takes amazing photos that are sure to impress. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at what makes the Olympus Tough TG-3 stand out and why it's the ultimate adventure camera for those who want to document their travels like a pro.

Olympus Tough TG-3 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus Tough TG-3 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Waterproof and shockproof for adventure travel
High-quality lens produces sharp images
Built-in WiFi for easy photo sharing
Superb macro mode for up-close shots
Fast autofocus for action shots

Cons

Low-light performance is average
Battery life is short
No touch screen or flip-out display
Limited zoom range
Only shoots Full HD video (not 4K)

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus Tough TG-3

Weather sealed
Dimensions112 x 66 x 31mm
Weight247g
Thickness31mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Olympus Tough TG-3 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Tough TG-3 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Olympus Tough TG-3 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Olympus Tough TG-3 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Tough TG-3 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus Tough TG-3 has a 16MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Olympus Tough TG-3 has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Mar 31 2014

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3'
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4608 x 3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus Tough TG-3 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Tough TG-3 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3'

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Battery Life330 shots
Battery ModelLI-92B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus Tough TG-3 supports SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus Tough TG-3 uses the LI-92B model of battery pack. This is rated for 330 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus Tough TG-3 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Olympus Tough TG-3 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus Tough TG-3 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus Tough TG-3?

The Olympus Tough TG-3 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus Tough TG-3 weather sealed?

Yes the Tough TG-3 does have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus Tough TG-3 announced?

The Olympus Tough TG-3 was announced on Mar 31 2014

Does the Olympus Tough TG-3 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Tough TG-3 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus Tough TG-3?

The Tough TG-3 has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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