Hasta La Gadget!

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Olympus tackle the more affordable side of its rugged camera lineup, which makes its latest entry feel overdue. The Stylus TG-625 Tough effectively replaces the TG-620 by adding something that’s been commonplace in the camera world: an autofocus illuminator light to improve focusing at night or, more likely with this camera, when it’s plunged 16 feet underwater. Outside of a new double-lock system, though, you’re looking at the hardware that has defined most of Olympus’ rugged line this year, including a 12-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, a 28-140mm equivalent lens, 1080p movie making and a 3-inch LCD. The Japanese should get the TG-625 the soonest, on August 31st. There’s no word on whether or not there’s an upgrade on the way for the US, although we can picture it slotting into the American lineup without much trouble.

Continue reading Olympus Stylus TG-625 Tough adds AF light for tricky shots in rough situations

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus Stylus TG-625 Tough adds AF light for tricky shots in rough situations originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Much ado has been made of weather-resistant cameras, but it’s all a moot point if the memory card dies, isn’t it? Panasonic wants that level of survivability in its SDHC and SDXC cards, and its new UHS-I-level SDAB and SDUB lines are tested for the kind of abuse that could see the camera give up the ghost first. The cards can take the kinds of punishment that we often associate with rugged gear, such as temperatures from -13F to 185F, immersion in 3.3 feet of water for half an hour and the usual steep drops. It’s beyond this that the resistance levels become truly exotic: the cards are also built to survive zaps of electricity, proximity to magnets and exposure to X-rays. If it all becomes too much to bear, the design will even fuse on the inside to prevent fire burning the card from within. Those who like what they see will only have to decide whether or not they want the SDAB range’s 95MB/s read speeds and 80MB/s writes or are willing to settle for the SDUB line’s respective 90MB/s and 45MB/s transfers. We have yet to see if or when the SD cards cross the Pacific after their September 8th launch in Japan, although we hope so — with that kind of extra-tough design, our photos are more likely to endure than we will.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Storage

Panasonic preps SD cards that survive heat, water and X-rays, will probably outlast you originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 05:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last month we tested the best rugged, waterproof cameras and picked a winner. “But what about the new Canon?” everyone screamed. Fear not. The PowerShot D20 went through some cruel testing over the past couple of weeks. Could it live up? Could it live, period? More »