Olympus Stylus Tough

I purchased a new camera about 10 days ago and have been checking it out. I purchased an Olympus Stylus Tough 8000. I specifically chose the 8000 because it is water proof. When I look at the basic stats 12 mp 3 x zoom and built in flash it is an ordianary point and shoot. The fact that it can be submerged up to 35 feet makes it a good snorkeling camera. Since I like to snorkel when I am in the place to do so and have been looking for a rugged camera to carry (yet light) when I am biking it seemed like the perfect purchase. I shopped around and it ranged from 299 to 400 on the web and locally. ON Best buy on line they had the camera at $303 but in the store it was marked $379. I convinced them to match the on line price (really I think it is their policy but you have to be informed and ask). I like most of u can use an extra $76.

I have taken the camera snorkeling 3 times. It took me some time to understand the technology for the underwater portion and which settings work best. I found it to be less than intuitive, but generally a good picture. There are 3 underwater settings. Close up, called snap shot, Underwater 1 (you can use the zoom) underwater2 you can’t use the zoom, and the focal lengths are different. The view screen is helpful underwater as there is no range finder. Above water it requires me to have my reading glasses to effectively frame the shot. I suspect this camera will travel with me a lot on my bike and in wet and dry situations. The Olympus Stylus Tough 8000. Crush resistant( up to 250lbs) and generally a tough camera.

I found the strap that came with the camera was not as secure as I liked, for underwater use as it did not securely strap to my wrist and the camera certainly will not float. First I used a rubber band to tighten the band on my wrist and at later at the dive shop found a rubber wrist band that had a clip to adjust the tightness around my wrist. This is a little thing Olympus should have thought of. But just a warning get a good wrist band if you plan to dive or snorkel with this camera, it would be expensive to drop it in 30 or 40 feet of water and not be able to get to it.

Here are some Pictures (not touched up) I took both under water and above water.

pretty clear shot in clear water about 7 feet

deep.

this is about 15 feet of water.from the water to the shore, self shot...

Pretty interesting camera. I plan on taking this on on my bike rides since the Olympus 8000 is compact and rugged. And can get wet if we get in the rain. Overall a fun tough camera.