14 DAY TRIAL // Olympus is quite well-known for its ultra-rugged Tough series of compact digital cameras and, at CES 2011, the company decided to add two new products to this lineup, namely the TG-610 and TG-310 Waterproof, Shockproof and Freezeproof models. Without a doubt, the main selling point these new camera models have in store is represented by their very good level of resilience when faced with extreme weather conditions, given the fact that the brand-new Tough cameras are Waterproof (to 16 feet for the TG-610 and 10 feet for the TG-310), Shockproof (to 5 feet) and Freezeproof (to 14 degrees Fahrenheit).
However, that's just one of the interesting features provided by the new Tough models, as they follow the modern 3D trend and offer a 3D Photo Mode that captures two shots of a scene from two different angles to create still photos delivering the illusion of 3D.
Additional features provided by the TG-610 and TG-310 include 720p HD video recording, a 14 megapixel sensor, as well as wide-angle optical zoom lenses (5x on the TG-610 and 3.6x on the TG-310) and dual image stabilization, which should really come in handy, given the Tough line's targeted market segment.
Furthermore, the brand-new Olympus Tough compact digital cameras pack Eye-Fi Card Compatibility, a couple of new Magic Filters for enhanced creative control, AF Tracking and an In-Camera Panorama function.
"Because life's an adventure, you need a camera that's tough enough to make the journey with you," said Jennifer Schmell, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc, adding that "when you're swimming with the dolphins, the powerful underwater functions like Underwater Snapshot Mode and Underwater HD Movie in 3D will ensure that your trip is more memorable than ever before."
According to Olympus, the new TG-610 and TG-310 will be available in February 2011 and will sell for around US$299.99 (the TG-610) and around US$199.99 (the TG-310).