Tip: Try to shoot in 'P' mode if you can, as the 'i-Enhance' color profile in Auto mode is over-the-top, to say the least. Can be set in Settings Menu 2 ＞ File Name. Reset: Sequential numbers for folder names and file names can be reset when replacing cards. In the table below the left image is the original untouched RAW file and in the middle there’s the version adjusted as I’ve described above. As you can see, I’ve managed to recover plenty of highlight and shadow detail that wasn’t present in the original. And if you’re thinking that might have been possible with the in-camera JPEG, the image on the right shows what happens if you apply the same adjustments to the JPEG; it’s better than the original, but there’s not nearly as much detail in the sky or the tower as in the adjusted RAW file. I’d say that’s pretty conclusive evidence that the TOUGH TG4’s RAW format is well worth having. On paper, the TG-4's lens - which is shared by the Pentax WG-4 and WG-5 - is the best in its class. At its 25mm wide end, the maximum aperture is F2.0, which makes it great for low light and underwater photography. The lens becomes a lot more conventional at the telephoto end, where the aperture is a F4.9. A sensor-shift image stabilization system helps reduce the effects of camera shake, and seemed to be effective in the time we spent with the camera.

Olympus TOUGH TG4 review | Cameralabs Olympus TOUGH TG4 review | Cameralabs

Images are soft at default setting, though with relatively few sharpening artifacts. Strong noise reduction even at base ISO reduces fine detail.Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Watercolor, Vintage, Partial Color, Bleach Bypass

Olympus TG-4 Manuals | ManualsLib Olympus TG-4 Manuals | ManualsLib

You'll find that your fingers will sit on top of several of the camera's buttons when using the rear thumb rest. When you do have to make use of it, the TG4’s menu system is one of the best designed on any underwater compact. Press the OK button at the centre of the control pad and you can navigate eight function menu options displayed down the right side of the screen each of which activates a fly-out menu when selected. All the really useful stuff is here including picture mode, white balance exposure compensation, ISO sensitivity, drive mode and Image size.Top right of the lens is recognizably an integral flash and combined AF assist/self timer/LED lamp window, the flash being controlled via a dedicated setting on the standard four-way control pad at the rear of the TG-4. Flash settings wise, we get the standard auto and forced flash/fill-in option, along with a red eye setting and one that activates the fairly blinding LED lamp (in conjunction with a holding down of the shutter release button), for when you need that extra ‘oomph’ in the illumination department – perhaps for shooting a short video clip. While reasonably impressed with the Olympus TG-4’s construction and feature set, then, how do the pictures measure up? Is it worth paying a premium for this snapshot camera’s versatility? Built-in Wi-Fi lets you share files with iOS and Android mobile devices, geotag photos with GPS location information, remotely compose the shot, adjust camera settings, and trip the shutter, apply custom signatures, Art filters, and stamps, using the Olympus O.I.Share app. Before we move on to look at the quality results, there’s one final feature of the Olympus TOUGH TG4 that you won’t find on the other rugged water-proof compacts I’ve tested and that’s the ability to shoot camera RAW files. Choose 16M +RAW from the quality settings menu and you’ll get a RAW file in the Olympus .ORF format as well as a full resolution JPEG. ISO 100 prints are good at 13 x 19 inches, which is a reasonably large size for such a small sensor. There is a decent amount of fine detail and pleasing colors at this size, although for critical printing purposes the 11 x 14 inch prints here are slightly sharper.

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A fast shutter speed can freeze a fast-moving action without blurring. A slow shutter speed will blur a fast-moving action. This blurring will give the impression of dynamic motion.

And of course it wouldn’t be an Olympus without Art filters. Switch to the Art position on the mode dial and you can choose from Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Colour, Grainy Film, Pin hole, Diorama (miniature), and Dramatic Tone art filters. Another way to get to these is via the Picture settings on the function menu.