Olympus Tough 8000
Olympus Tough 8000
1
Hey! You should know that Olympus has released a newer version of this product: the Olympus Stylus TOUGH 8010.
Olympus Tough 8000
Editor's Review
[Read our full Olympus TOUGH 8000 review] The Olympus Tough 8000 has a durable construction in a camera that is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof, shakeproof, and all around lifeproof, but early reviews aren't happy with image quality. Tough is one way to put it. Indestructible might be better. Either way, Olympus' new Tough 6000 can take whatever you got. 12-megapixel resolution and a 3.6x wide-angle optical lens ensure that every photo you take is just as sharp and crisp as you remember it, while a 2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen makes taking and reviewing pictures easier than ever.
Specifications
- 12-megapixel resolution for photo-quality, poster-size prints
- Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof and shakeproof
- 3.6x wide-angle optical dual image stabilized zoom
- 2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen
- Compatible with xD Picture Cards and microSD memory cards (not included)
- Part Number: 226750
- UPC: 050332167872
- Release Date: Jan 12, 2009
Shop for 8000 Accessories
Olympus Tough 8000 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
Ray (05/14/2013)
I have a problem with my u tough 8010 where I switch on and it comes on for a while but then automatically shuts down. I tried taking battery out and even removing sd card but still the same.
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Hillary Grigonis (05/21/2013)
Try replacing the battery. With age sometimes the batteries fail.
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kaite d (01/11/2013)
does anyone know to to shut off the picture playback when you take a picture?
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Greg May (03/01/2013)
There should be a menu option, buried likely, regarding picture review.
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help please! (nena — 03/22/2012)
we just the Olympus tough 8010 and it we turned it on and all it did was beep a bunch of times and turn off we dont know what we are doing wrong someone please help also how do you restart the camera
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Chris Weigl (03/22/2012)
Hmm it sounds like it may be dead out of the box. Try removing the battery, recharging it, and trying to turn the camera on once more. Also try turning the camera on without a memory card inside to see if that was the problem. If neither of these things work I'd return it.
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Ray Tom (05/14/2013)
done this but still the same
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ang8884 (11/14/2011)
I recently took this camera on holidays, On the first day I took it under water, took 3 photos then on the screen it came up saying ''card door open '' and it flashed to another screen saying '' check USB & battery cover for foreign objects '' i have cleaned and dried the camera, and its not working, Now everytime i turn it on those 2 screens flash on the screen and thats it. Please help!!!
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Holly (07/26/2011)
we recently had a heat wave where temperatures reached 110 outside . i left my camera in the car the whole 4 days now i took it out to use it and the screeen does not work. All the buttons and camera work but the screen comes up blank . what can i do ?
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jenice (06/12/2011)
should i buy this one?
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Karen Tonseth (03/20/2011)
My Olympus tough 8000 is 2 years old. It takes photos in all settings but Auto...it doesn't beep and shut down but simply doesn't take a shot. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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by James DeRuvo (03/30/2011)
That's odd. Could be a firmware issue, or more likely you have some dust inside the navigator wheel there and it's preventing it form making contact on the auto mode. Clean it up with some rubbing alcolhol and a cotton swab, and then maybe blow out with canned air. It could help, maybe.
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tough indeed (Oly8000 — 01/15/2011)
I've been using my U tough 8000 for almost 2 years now. withing that period of time, i've been snorkeling and diving (not more than 10m deep) a lot! and i'm happy using it. I love the quality of the colour of my photos (although canon is still the best in term of photo quality) but the video is not that good but the new model 8010 has a better HD movie (plan to buy it soon :D) last time i've got a problem with the battery, everytime i fully charged it, when i used it afterward, the battery suddenly got low. i thought there was something wrong with it so i tried to fix it on my own by dismantling the whole body bit by bit but i couldn't see the problem. soon after i found out that there were some black deposit on the battery that preventing the battery to be connected with the camera efficiently. after i cleaned and removed that black deposit, my camera just turned out fine. because i dismantled it earlier, i didn't realized that there was a leak. Soon after i put it in my bath tub, bubbles came out from my camera and my LCD screen was gone. My camera was dead. so quickly i took it out from the water and dry my camera with hairdryer, then i keep them in my DRY BOX for a few days until all the remaining moisture disappeared. I tried to switch on it again and it worked perfectly well till these days. and yes, i dropped it several times, my nephew used to threw it on wall and dropped it but still the camera working fine. Now i believe that it is really TOUGH indeed! but i think all the bushings/ rubber that seal tight the camera from water or leaking are worn out. Anyone know where i can replace them? tq.
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by James DeRuvo (01/18/2011)
Have you tried eBay? I'd go with a parts camera. But it's liable to have a similar issues.
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olympus8000 (Mary Lan Cañedo — 10/10/2010)
anyone knows how to fix olympus8000 waterproof
camera?
i need some help because im pretty that the owner will kill me if he knows it will never fix he did just buy it few days and i did bring it into the sea and suddenly i did not know that it was open so it got water inside from the sea
and it doesnt work
so i need help for this
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camera?
i need some help because im pretty that the owner will kill me if he knows it will never fix he did just buy it few days and i did bring it into the sea and suddenly i did not know that it was open so it got water inside from the sea
and it doesnt work
so i need help for this
by James DeRuvo (10/12/2010)
Mary, I think you need to just fess up and offer to pay to replace it. Salt water to electronics is like kryptonite to Superman. Deadly. And even though it's supposed to be waterproof to 33 feet, if you had it open and water went inside of it, it's probably a paperweight.
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Lolita Trimmingham (08/21/2010)
When I turn my camera on it beeps for a couple of seconds then it shuts off automatically. I cannot get it to take any pics now that this is happening
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by James DeRuvo (08/21/2010)
Check the contacts. Clean with a pencil eraser. Also, it's been hot and humid of late, and sometimes that can affect camera performance. If you have any of those silica packets, from when you bought the camera, place them with the camera, or use a ziplock and a bag of uncooked rice. This will act as a desiccant to draw out any excess moisture which may be affecting camera performance.
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Sarah (08/27/2010)
Try switching it on in Playback mode. If that works but it beeps and turns off in all other modes, take the battery out and clean the contacts. Worked with mine (and thanks to all those who posted this as a fix- it really does work!)
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Help (U tough user — 07/24/2010)
I dropped My Olympus u tough 8000 below 10m and it worked for a few pictures but then stopped working is there any thing i can do to save it or could a repair shop help me? thanks
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by James DeRuvo (07/28/2010)
Was it fresh water or salt water? If salt water, it's a paper weight. If fresh water, you can try placing it in a ziplock with a cup of uncooked rice for a few days to draw out the excess moisture.
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water in camera (id go that — 05/09/2010)
sick swell i was stoked got out to find my battery charging cover was open and water got in i did this once befor and it still worked any advice thanks
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Blurry photos!!! Have to reduce picture quality to 5MP (Justin S — 04/20/2010)
ARGH, I wish I had seen this before buying this disaster of a camera. I am also getting incredibly bad photo's from this camera .... It has never been underwater (or even wet for that matter). A complete joke of a camera and I will never buy one of their crap products again.
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olympus not so tough? (clayton — 04/13/2010)
olympus tough 8000
i went diving with my camera and took it to a depth of 35ft...it was fine when i got back onto the boat but on the second dive it said that the card cover was open and thats the message its had ever since...anyone heard of this before?
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i went diving with my camera and took it to a depth of 35ft...it was fine when i got back onto the boat but on the second dive it said that the card cover was open and thats the message its had ever since...anyone heard of this before?
Liam McCabe (04/14/2010)
The Tough 8000 is only rated to go 33 ft underwater, so you really pushed it by going 35 ft. I can't say for sure, but I bet that water leaked into the body somehow. Does it still work?
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Nicolas (04/26/2010)
Hi, I have the same problem with my camera. I went to the max depth of 10m a few months ago and last week went snorkelling. Now the screen will only shows the message "battery cover open" and pc won't recognise the camera when plugged via USB. I tried clean it with pressurised air but it did not work. Does anyone know a workaround? thanks
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olympus (dea13dlr — 11/16/2010)
I had the same problem. I took it snorkling and now when every it goes under water, even for a second it says that the battery door is open. I take the memory card and the battery out and take a blow dryer on low heat to it & dry it out really good, make sure to dry the memory card & the battery. once everything is dry i put all back in and it still works. I have perment water spots on the screen but they dont show up on the pics. It works fine as long as it doesn't go underwater, it can be splashed with water and be ok. Very disappointed!!
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Price Please (Rebecca — 02/02/2010)
How would i know the price of this in Dhs... as im in Dubai. And the price mentioned there is in Dollars.
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by James DeRuvo (02/09/2010)
Unfortunately, we can't offer price checks outside of the US. But you can get a general idea of how much it is in Dhs by using google. Just google the price in dollars to dirhams and hit enter. Google does the math for you. It's not entirely accurate as money exchange rates are fluid, but it'll give you a general idea.
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how to do reset? (EEhh — 01/28/2010)
where/how can I do a "factory reset" of this camera, bringing all settings back to the original?
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Brenda Paro (01/30/2010)
While you are in Shooting mode (aka the mode where you take a photo, obviously), hit Menu. You should get a screen called Camera Menu with a few icons on it. I'm almost sure that one of the icons is specifically to Restore Factory Defaults. If it's not, then one of them may be for Setup; go into that and you should find the Restore.
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camera does not turn on. it only makes a beep. I can only ude the playmode. but i cannot take any pictures. (rebelem — 11/22/2009)
when i turn the camera on, it makes a beep and turns off. It only works when its on the playmode. But when i switch to auto, movie or anything like it, it makes a beep and shut down. I've checked batteries, changed the memory cards, but it doesn't change.
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by James DeRuvo (11/25/2009)
Try cleaning your battery contacts. You may have some dirt or grit preventing proper connection with the powerpack. I'd also reset your camera and see if that clears the issue. If not, I'd send it in for repair if it's still under warranty.
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J Lundquist (02/03/2010)
Mine does the same thing, if it was a problem with the battery connection it should not work in playback-mode, would it?
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olympus tough 8000, error, "write protect"!! (chredemus — 10/27/2009)
olympus tough 8000, i have a problem. When i turn my camera on it says "write protect" and in the manual it says that i have to cancel the read-only setting, how do i do that? please help!
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4migdalia (10/27/2009)
1-888-553-4448 and/or
olympusamerica.com/cpg_sect... just found this on the back of the manuel.....with the same problem...good luck too us both!
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olympusamerica.com/cpg_sect... just found this on the back of the manuel.....with the same problem...good luck too us both!
Carié (12/29/2009)
Also got the same problem! When I turn it one "write protect", I cant do anything futher with the camera! Only put it on and thats it!!! Can someone PLEASE help!
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diane (03/29/2010)
you have to take off the memory stick from the camera then reformat it in your PC. it works! :)
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after using underwater, camera no longer works (donal — 10/14/2009)
I was swimming recently with my camera (only bought 2 months previously) and attempted to turn on the camera. The display screen remained "off" and the lens would not open. Only the blue light that indicates the camera is turned on shone.
After leaving the water I inspected the camera and discovered a lot of dampness and water in and around the battery. The camera now no longer works.
Any idea of what to do?
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After leaving the water I inspected the camera and discovered a lot of dampness and water in and around the battery. The camera now no longer works.
Any idea of what to do?
by James DeRuvo (10/14/2009)
You have to get the excess moisture out. A Washington Post reporter who accidentally dropped his Blackberry in the toilet was able to retrieve it and dry it out to working order again: by leaving it turned off in a bowl of uncooked rice.
There's a grain of truth (punny, huh?) to this in that rice quickly sucks up the surrounding moisture. Make sure the environment is free from excess humidity, drop the wet device in a container of rice and let it sit for a few days. For a better desiccant, it'd be a good idea to store all those little silica gel packets that come in anything from shoe boxes to moisture-sensitive gadgets.
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There's a grain of truth (punny, huh?) to this in that rice quickly sucks up the surrounding moisture. Make sure the environment is free from excess humidity, drop the wet device in a container of rice and let it sit for a few days. For a better desiccant, it'd be a good idea to store all those little silica gel packets that come in anything from shoe boxes to moisture-sensitive gadgets.
tough olympus..its say writable error...the manual asks to connect the camera to pc but dunno nottin happen how do i fix it..help plz...thanks .. (rebirth666 — 10/06/2009)
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by James DeRuvo (10/07/2009)
First, take out your memory card and place it back in. It may be that the card wasn't properly "seated" and the camera couldn't write to it. While you have it out, make sure you don't have the card lock engaged. it's a tiny white switch on the side of the card. Place the card back in and reset the camera. If you can get your pictures off the card, I'd also do that and reformat it. If none of that solves the issue, the card mail be failing and you'd be better off getting a new card to replace it.
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rebirth666 (10/11/2009)
yup great thanks..for the tips..works great now...
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When using flash I get a lot of round marks on the pictures, as if there was drops of water on the lens, even though there is not. (covey — 08/04/2009)
When using flash I get a lot of round marks on the pictures, as if there was drops of water on the lens, even though there is not. I have cleaned the lens and there is no difference. Outdoor shots without the flash are ok. The camers has never been used in the water or for diving.
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by James DeRuvo (08/09/2009)
I'd have Olympus take a look at it then. Try resetting the camera as well. And update the firmware. Sometimes these are caused by software bugs.
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BRUCE WALKER (10/01/2009)
(Bruce 1.10.2009)
I am 59 and have loved Photography from my early 20’s and in this time I have enjoyed a few different brand film Cameras, underwater etc, now getting with the new technology I began using an up market 8mg Digital with fine results but the adventures I found myself in I was waterproofing the camera, then missed the money shots regularly so I looked for an all round rugged Camera that would do everything I asked.
I checked the reviews out some time ago and found the 6000 & 8000 were the way to go and as I had brought my Wife an Olympus 840 8mg no frills Camera and it appeared to show fair results.
SO my son and I both became the proud owners of an 8000 each (short lived). I have used this camera for some time now maybe 4500 to 5000 Photos and I always went back to the INSTRUCTION MANUAL thinking the poor quality all round was my problem but not so.
NOW THE PROBLEMS: these are only my thoughts and I still have not used it underwater.
1. the flashback problem appears to me to be air born contaminants and the main very strong flash shows the flashback in white dots all over the photo (cameras problem), even the fill in flash has a tendency to create this situation, I have played around with this and used a strong LED torch as the light source without flash with fair results but this should ‘NOT EVEN’ be an option.
2. I am so upset with myself when I keep using this Camera in one off situations (because of convenience) where I cannot repeat the shot (MY problem) but let’s sum up the 8000 as I see it.
I get maybe 12 ‘good’ photos out of 300 the rest either bleed pixels or appear grainy with no hope of enhancing them from 4x6 (bleary) and I am frustrated because I am not doing anything different from my GOOD 8mg Camera to the 8000 12mg, I have had the Camera on a TRIPOD & ANTI shake, I have changed the settings in different combinations to no avail, I now know what the 12 stands for and it is not mp.
I feel OLYMPUS knows these problems exist in the development & marketing of ‘THEIR PRODUCT’ and we have supported them by trusting in ‘THIS PRODUCT’ by becoming part of their FAMILY and now it appears this camera falls short of most basic CAMERA functions in this range plus our expectations.
Again this is only my very strong view, ALL COMPANEIES have a DUTY OF CARE to their clients, and as the clients we have a duty to report any problems with the product, and when OLYMPUS develops the camera to the required standard I would like to see some unilateral buyback crossover, because I am willing to pay a gap to get the same robust outside with the right inside.
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I am 59 and have loved Photography from my early 20’s and in this time I have enjoyed a few different brand film Cameras, underwater etc, now getting with the new technology I began using an up market 8mg Digital with fine results but the adventures I found myself in I was waterproofing the camera, then missed the money shots regularly so I looked for an all round rugged Camera that would do everything I asked.
I checked the reviews out some time ago and found the 6000 & 8000 were the way to go and as I had brought my Wife an Olympus 840 8mg no frills Camera and it appeared to show fair results.
SO my son and I both became the proud owners of an 8000 each (short lived). I have used this camera for some time now maybe 4500 to 5000 Photos and I always went back to the INSTRUCTION MANUAL thinking the poor quality all round was my problem but not so.
NOW THE PROBLEMS: these are only my thoughts and I still have not used it underwater.
1. the flashback problem appears to me to be air born contaminants and the main very strong flash shows the flashback in white dots all over the photo (cameras problem), even the fill in flash has a tendency to create this situation, I have played around with this and used a strong LED torch as the light source without flash with fair results but this should ‘NOT EVEN’ be an option.
2. I am so upset with myself when I keep using this Camera in one off situations (because of convenience) where I cannot repeat the shot (MY problem) but let’s sum up the 8000 as I see it.
I get maybe 12 ‘good’ photos out of 300 the rest either bleed pixels or appear grainy with no hope of enhancing them from 4x6 (bleary) and I am frustrated because I am not doing anything different from my GOOD 8mg Camera to the 8000 12mg, I have had the Camera on a TRIPOD & ANTI shake, I have changed the settings in different combinations to no avail, I now know what the 12 stands for and it is not mp.
I feel OLYMPUS knows these problems exist in the development & marketing of ‘THEIR PRODUCT’ and we have supported them by trusting in ‘THIS PRODUCT’ by becoming part of their FAMILY and now it appears this camera falls short of most basic CAMERA functions in this range plus our expectations.
Again this is only my very strong view, ALL COMPANEIES have a DUTY OF CARE to their clients, and as the clients we have a duty to report any problems with the product, and when OLYMPUS develops the camera to the required standard I would like to see some unilateral buyback crossover, because I am willing to pay a gap to get the same robust outside with the right inside.
Olympus 8000....does anyone have a problem w/ blurry photos? (surfsalot808 — 07/22/2009)
it seems like when ever i take a photo, the box is red, and not green...how do i prevent this and get better results...it doens't matter what i'm talking photos of...landscape, portrait, outdoors, etc
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by James DeRuvo (07/23/2009)
Well, you can try prefocusing. Press the shutter down half way while putting your subject square in the middle. Then recompose the image, press the button the rest of the way. Also, sometimes low light situations can cause focusing problems.
If it's straight across the board, try resetting your camera and checking with Olympus online for a firmware update.
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If it's straight across the board, try resetting your camera and checking with Olympus online for a firmware update.
Is it possible to do color isolation on this camera? If so, how? Thanks! (BrendaK61 — 05/03/2009)
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by James DeRuvo (05/05/2009)
Some cameras have this feature, but the reality is that you can have much finer control and get far better results doing it in software.
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Brenda Paro (06/01/2009)
I don't think this camera offers it. It's got a few other options, like Beauty mode and some scene modes, but no color isolation effects.
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Olympus Tough 8000 Reviews
Olympus Tough 8000 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users
- 1.0 out of 5
Quality Picture Terrible
(Manjid — 01/01/2011)
I don't know how to describe about the picture from this camera..alot of dispointed bringing this camera on vacation.
My pics and memory gone just like dat! the picture is full with grain like shit!!
Regret buying this camera, never thought this thing will happen after several tech by them..not suggesting to my friend out there! really tough on the body but very worst on the quality picture! better use canon!
- 1.0 out of 5
Jus a really bad cameras
(Jens — 11/22/2010)
First I bought a Tough 6000. On the second day of my West Indies vacation it leaked in water. The people at Olympus changed it so I got a Tough 8000 instead. I dropped that one taking it out from my pocket with mittens in the winter since the darn thing is so slippery, which resulted in a fall of approx. 2 feet. After that the new camera stopped working. I got it repaired but none of the pictures taken now are in focus and now the guarantee has expired. I've taken a maximum of 300 pics all and all. The good thing has been the fast Olympus support (even though the second repair sucked) but the bad thing is that this series of cameras are trash and potential vacation/party spoilers. Have in mind that I bought it knowing the pics hadn't gotten the best reviews. I have a SLR camera and the tough 6000/8000 was the "rugged" back up which it never became.
- 1.0 out of 5
Sucks
(Bog Zero — 08/30/2010)
Dont buy his camera. My friend had one and had perpetual problems in the water. I have yet to take this in the water but she says mine wont last a month,
Holiday photos so bad I could cry, lack of saturation and blur. Horrible isues with least bit of motion, harsh sunlight,not beautiful sunsets. An ooverall "coolness" to th ephotos.
I will never buy an Olmpus again.
OH I forgot the TOTALLY harsh flash and TOTAL lack of sharpness.
- 1.0 out of 5
Broke and Cameraless on vacation
(stacey gray — 01/08/2010)
This 'waterproof' camera broke 2 separate times while I was on vacation last week in Hawaii. IN THE OCEAN!!! I was able to fix both problems but, come on! I notified Amazon and I am returning it ASAP.
- 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic all round camera
(Russell Hulbert — 01/03/2010)
I am very pleased with this camera.
When using it underwater, like any other camera with a built in flash,you will get the flash reflecting off suspended particles this can give a grainy effect. Clear water great photos
Action shots I find that by pre aiming my shot and holding the shutter relase button halfway down I avoid the delay that is common to digital cameras and get my photos exactly when I want them with great results.
General use inside I usually use the fill in flash and are pleased with the results
My son borrowed this camera used with his children, rafting / snorkling / and general use and was pleased with it.
He is now purchasing one for himself
- 5.0 out of 5
A great digital camera for travel
(Brynda — 09/29/2009)
I purchased this camera before a trip hiking the Incan trail in Peru. I didn't want to have to worry about it getting damaged by water or sand during the trip. It took far more amazing pictures than I expected! The panorama shots are fantastic. I have many framable, professional quality shots.I have dropped it several times without effect. It is incredibly durable, but the biggest upside is the quality of the photos. Far better than expected. The only downside is the zoom....not very good. Other than that I LOVE this camera. The perfect camera to travel with....without worry!
- 5.0 out of 5
Love The Camera!
(geoff — 09/17/2009)
you literally use this cam everywhere! and i mean it every where... been island hopping and used it under water and got great shots! even dropped it on one of the coral reefs and its still works! after that we went hiking and still produced brilliant photos... hey! its not a DSLR camera so i don't bother comparing it to one... long lasting battery life and i love the LED which i use to illuminate things for macro or even walking in the dark night... very versatile, and yes its tough... really like this cam!
- 2.0 out of 5
a bit lower than average
(Sise Lor — 05/11/2009)
i bought this camera a week ago and at first i thought that it was gonna be great because it was practically accidental proof, but now that i started to take pictures with it, im starting to wonder why i bought it in the first place. the quality is horrible, i had a 7mp camera before this and it took pictures just as the same, if not better quality than this 12 mp camera, and i got that camera at the price of only $100, so if u like to snorkel or are very active then maybe its an investment, but not to me, id rather just refund it
- 1.0 out of 5
Worst photo's EVER!
(N. Heijboer — 03/06/2009)
I own this little disaster for a while now. It doesn't matter if you're shooting in daylight or with a flash, the quality of the pictures is ALWAYS terrible. Maybe you get lucky and you will find a single photo that isn't completely vomited by rough grain.
Yes it's a 'though' camera and it can handle situations that other camera's will never be able to survive, but it's a camera so you're probably want to take photo's with it that look better than you're 3MP cellphone cam.
I own a Canon Digital Ixus 60 with 6MP that makes pictures far better than this one, which has 12MP (!). If I take a photo from the Ixus 60 and zoom in 100% I'll find less grain than the Though-8000 photo's zoomed out.
I think I'm gonna shoot myself for buying this crap...
- 2.0 out of 5
Not so good
(Neale — 02/26/2009)
Just purchased the tough-8000. I can't tell the difference between by oxidised 720SW and this ones picture quality. Also just purchased a runnout Sony dsc-w110. At 7.2mp the sony gives better pic quality. Now I'm going to buy another dsc-w110 before there are none left. The 8000 is good for the water and that may be all.
