Best Rugged Cameras – Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof
THE FIVE TOUGHEST OF THE TOUGH point-and-shoot cameras for outdoor trips
April 27th, 2023
We’ve scoured the wilds to find the best tough cameras for your backcountry (and front country) adventures.
Cameras that function no matter the extremes of weather and environment.
Cameras that can suffer any abuse your heart desires and still bring home the pictures.
We paired our own decades of professional outdoor photography experience with an analysis of almost a dozen comparative camera reviews to find the best rugged camera for you. Our top winner for a waterproof camera is the Olympus TG-6 for its durability and quality of photos. Note: Olympus just released the Olympus TG-7 and we are currently testing it. We will report back soon, but in the meantime, still recommend the TG-6, which is currently on sale.
I’ve spent four decades working as a photographer, photojournalist, and photo editor in the Rocky Mountain West with work appearing in various publications including National Geographic, Outside, Life, and Rolling Stone magazines. An avid hiker, skier, trail runner, rafter, mountain biker, and kayaker based in Crested Butte, Colorado I am notoriously hard on camera gear. The highest compliment I can give any piece of gear is to say that it’s “Dean-proof.”
Note: All cameras were purchased by the photographer and not provided by the manufacturer.
Example photography in this article have been resized from the original for faster page loading.
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Olympus TG-6
Nikon CoolPix W300
Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7
Fujifilm FinePix XP140
Ricoh WG-80
Comparison Table
| CAMERA | TREELINE AWARD | WATER PROOF (ft) | FREEZE PROOF (F) | SHOCK PROOF (ft) | CRUSH PROOF (lbs) | WEIGHT WITH BATTERY (oz) | BATTERY LIFE | MEGA PIXEL | RAW FORMAT | WI-FI / BLUETOOTH? | VIDEO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus TG-6 | Best Overall | 50 | -10 | 6 | 330 | 8.8 | 340 shots | 12 | Yes | Yes | 4k |
| Nikon Coolpix W300 | Runner-Up | 100 | 14 | 7 | No | 8.2 | 280 shots | 16 | No | Yes | 4k |
| Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 | Best with Electronic Viewfinder | 102 | 14 | 6.6 | 220 | 11 | 250 shots with electronic viewfinder; 300 with rear LCD | 20.4 | No | Yes | 4K |
| Fujifilm FinePix XP140 | Best Affordable | 82 | -10 | 5.8 | No | 7.6 | 240 shots | 16.4 | No | Yes | 4k |
| Ricoh WG-80 | Best Grip | 45 | 14 | 5 | 220 | 6.8 | 300 shots | 16 | No | No | 1920x1080 FullHD |
The Best Rugged Cameras
The Olympus TG-6 is a pleasure to use in any weather, as during this snow storm during a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail. Photo by Dean Krakel.
THE BEST WATERPROOF CAMERA: OLYMPUS TG-6
Waterproof (ft): 50
Freezeproof (F): -10
Shockproof (ft): 6
Crush proof (lbs): 330
Weight with battery (oz): 8.8
Battery life: 340 shots
Mega pixels: 12
Raw format: Yes
Wi-fi/Bluetooth? Yes
Video: 4k
What we liked: durability, waterproofness, battery life, quality of photos, self-timer delay, built-in speaker, micro and macro features, 4k video, easy wifi share, easy for beginners but has the powerful features professionals will appreciate, ability to add teleconverter
What we didn't like: lower megapixels (but as we get into, pixels aren't everything)
Treeline Review writers have been using the Olympus TG series for three model updates and can’t say enough good things about this camera.
I used the Olympus TG-4 on my Colorado Trail thru-hike in 2015 and became a huge fan. The stills I took documenting The Colorado Trail that appeared in the award winning Long Haul video were all taken with the Olympus.
As soon as the Olympus TG-5 was available, I bought one to use on my Continental Divide Trail journeys as well as everyday outdoor adventures. I can’t say enough good about this camera. Small and light with great optics, lightening quick auto focus and easy to master controls, the TG-5 has ridden in my shirt and shell pockets from sub-zero snowstorms to blazing hot deserts and never let me down.
To update this guide, Treeline Review’s staff purchased the Olympus TG-6 for a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike from Canada to Mexico and as part of the team that achieved the First Known Time on the Blue Mountains Trail.
Olympus just released the Olympus TG-7 and we are currently testing it. We will report back soon, but in the meantime, still recommend the TG-6, which is currently on sale.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE OLYMPUS TG-6
But we’re not alone in our praise for the TG series. The camera was the number 1 top-rated Tough Camera in every review. “…the TG-5 is built to survive pretty much anything you could throw at it, literally,” said Techradar. “A chunky, ergonomic design and well-designed controls make the TG-5 a pleasure to use in any weather.”
A great example of the focal length of the Olympus TG-5. Photo by Dean Krakel.
OLYMPUS TG-5 VS OLYMPUS TG-6
Now that the TG-6 is out, we’ve found that it still has the features we love on the TG-5. The TG-6, like it’s predecessor, has a GPS sensor for tracking your journeys, a thermometer, a barometer, and a compass. Gathered data can be displayed by using the Olympus Image Track app. It has five built-in underwater modes for capturing underwater landscapes and wildlife.
Comparing the Olympus TG-6 (left) with the Olympus TG-5 (right). Treeline writer Mike Unger carried the TG-6 and Treeline editor Liz Thomas carried the TG-5 on a 3-day backpacking trip in the Sierra. Photo by Liz Thomas not on the Olympus camera
Compared to the TG-5, the TG-6 has some changes in the screen display: the screen resolution is twice as high. The TG-6 also has more microscope and macro features. The underwater housing for the controls is different, but we think that’s an improvement. We broke the housing (luckily—covered under Amazon warranty) on one of the TG-5s we purchased. The new housing looks like it may be more durable. Otherwise, the controls and size between the TG-5 and TG-6 are exactly the same.
With only 12 megapixels, the TG-6 falls short in the megapixel department compared to other waterproof rugged cameras reviewed. “What's interesting about the Olympus' Tough TG-5 in terms of its sensor is that its 12-MP sensor has a lower megapixel count than its predecessor, (TG-4 had 16MP) yet still provides very good quality,” said Tom’s Guide of the TG-5. The TG-6 is also 12 megapixels and we didn’t see an increase when the model was updated.
A wild fire burning near the Wind River Range, Wyoming taken on the Olympus TG-5. Photo by Dean Krakel.
In my professional experience, however, megapixels alone don’t determine image quality—a camera’s optics and the size of its processing sensor do that. For example, the TG-5 uses the same full-size sensor and TruePic VIII processor found in the Olympus E-M1 Mark II—a camera that is almost three times the TG-5’s price and weight and sports the same quality optics Olympus uses in their professional line, a bright f/2.0 25mm lens at wide-angle and an equally bright f/4.9 fully extended to 100mm.
“The TOUGH TG-5’s maximum aperture at the wide-angle setting is f/2.0 which is unusually bright for a waterproof compact,” said Cameralabs. “This gives it a big advantage when shooting underwater and in other low-light environments because it means you can shoot with a faster shutter speed or a lower ISO sensitivity than other less well-endowed cameras.”
The Olympus TG-5 performs well in low-light environments. Photo: Dean Krakel.
The TG-6 shoots 4K video at 30p or 1080p at up to 60 frames per second and high-speed footage at 120p in full HD video. “It shoots video at the highest available resolution (4K) and image quality is best on test both for stills and moving pictures,” said The Independent IndyBest. Imaging Resource says, “That's far better than the typical compact camera, let alone an underwater model.”
With the TG-6’s wifi capability and the Olympus Image Share app on your smartphone you can swiftly transfer images from the camera to your smartphone. You can also use Image Share to shoot your camera remotely (for group shots that you want to be in).
Independent IndyBest says, “The design lets enthusiasts attach converters and accessories to the lens for greater versatility. There are plenty of features for extra control, such as macro settings that let you get as close as 1 cm in Microscope mode, and a Pro capture setting, which starts shooting before you press the shutter so you don’t miss that dolphin diving.”
With the Olympus TG-6, you can also buy a 2x teleconverter to double the camera’s focal length. There’s also an ultra-wide fisheye lens attachment that screws onto the front element giving the TG-6 increased versatility. I bought the 2x teleconverter that screws onto the front of the TG-6 making the 100mm lens a 200mm and found myself using that more than I thought I would. The 4x optical zoom lens combines with the 2x digital converter for a maximum 8x zoom.
With the Olympus TG-5 you can use Image Share to shoot your camera remotely (for group shots that you want to be in). Photo by Dean Krakel.
OLYMPUS TG-6 VS NIKON COOLPIX W300
As with other reviewers, we had a tough time parsing out the pros and cons of the Olympus TG-6 vs. the Nikon Coolpix W300. But in our book, the Olympus comes out ahead for the following reasons:
The TG-6 has more menu settings and options.
The battery life is longer on the Olympus: 340 shots vs. 280 shots on the Nikon.
The minimum focus distance on the Olympus TG-6 is 3.9 inches vs. the Nikon’s 19.3 inches. This is despite the Nikon having a slightly higher (5x vs. 4x) digital zoom than the Olympus. What this means is you can focus more easily on close-up details with the Olympus.
The Olympus has a continuous shooting speed of 20 frames per second vs. the Nikon’s 7, making it easier to shoot multiple frames to capture peak action or a fast action sequence.
The Olympus has more flexibility in file extensions you can save photos and video. Olympus can save photos in raw and jpeg and movies in three file extensions not available in the Nikon: mov and mjpeg, avi.
In addition to letting you choose exposure based on Auto Mode or Program Mode, the Olympus has an Aperture-Priority mode. This works as a hybrid between Manual and Program. The camera chooses shutter speed, you choose the aperture (f-value).
The Olympus has up to a 30-second self-timer delay. The Coolpix only has 10 seconds. It can be done with remote control and via remote live view, which allows more time to fiddle when setting up a shot.
The Olympus has a built-in speaker, which the Coolpix does not have. This is beneficial if you’re trying to record and listen to a video’s audio on the go, although you can also get audio by pairing a camera to a phone.
The Olympus is more widely available. Olympus updated the TG-6 in 2019, whereas Nikon hasn’t made any significant updates to this model since 2017. Note that Nikon Coolpix is also available in a more affordable waterproof edition, the Nikon Coolpix W150.
A landscape shot taken with our top pick, the Olympus TG-5. Photo by Dean Krakel.
We know that photographers are loyal to their camera manufacturers and we think that both the Olympus TG-6 and Nikon Coolpix W300 are excellent choices for a waterproof and rugged camera. You can’t go wrong with either camera. But if you haven’t yet developed a loyalty to a specific camera maker, we think the Olympus may serve you better over the long haul.
An example of the landscape capabilities of the Olympus TG-5. Photo by Dean Krakel.
After 8 seasons of use, I still haven’t fully explored the Olympus’s capability or maxed out its toughness. I love the Olympus for its bright f/2 wide-angle 25mm lens. I tend to see the world in wide angle.
This is my go everywhere everyday carrying around camera. It’s my go-to backpacking, skiing, and running camera. I find the controls easy to use and in most of the camera’s automatic settings, the exposure is dead on. It’s small and unobtrusive and carries lightly and easily in a pocket within easy reach. Best of all, the Olympus has proven Dean proof.
The Nikon CoolPix performing in less-than-ideal conditions. This photo and others in this story were taken with an earlier model of the Coolpix W300, the AW100. Photo by Naomi Hudetz.
BEST WATERPROOF CAMERA RUNNER-UP: NIKON COOLPIX W300
Waterproof (ft): 100
Freezeproof (F): 14
Shockproof (ft): 7
Crushproof (lbs): No
Weight with battery (oz): 8.2
Battery life: 280 shots
Megapixels: 16
Raw format: No
Wi-fi/Bluetooth? Yes
Video: 4k
What we like: Nikon optics, quality build, waterproof down to 100 feet, longer telephoto than other cameras
What we didn't like: not as many settings and menu options as other tough cameras
The Nikon Coolpix W300 is an all around performer in the tough camera category. The W300 comes with Nikon’s usual high standards of quality build, superb optics and solid reputation. And, if your adventures take you to the watery depths the W300 is waterproof to 100 feet-twice the depth of our top pick, the Olympus TG-6. Only the Panasonic Lumix TS7 (called the FT7 outside of the U.S.) goes deeper and that by just a few feet.
The Nikon W300 has a longer telephoto reach-120mm-then the Olympus. It also has a 5x optical zoom lens with image stabilization. But despite stellar performance, the reason why it didn’t get our #1 spot is that it doesn’t have quite as many menu settings and features as the Olympus. But if you already know and love Nikons, we find little to quibble about on what Digital Camera World sums as, “a superb all-rounder for fearless underwater adventures.”
While the Nikon W300 doesn’t have the wide range of menu/settings options found on some of the other Tough Cameras in this review, notably the Olympus, its strength is, “that it’s a good all-round performer with a great balance of features,” according to Cameralabs. “It’s got an excellent 5x zoom, a great quality 17 Megapixel sensor, GPS, barometer and electronic compass. . .”
COMPARE PRICES OF THE NIKON COOLPIX W300
The CoolPix uses Nikon’s sophisticated new SnapBridge technology with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability to provide wireless links between the camera and your smartphone. SnapBridge allows you to transmit photos to your phone as you shoot. And, as with the Olympus, you can use this Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to control the camera remotely.
The Nikon Coolpix was put through the ringer in the Canadian Rockies.. Photo by Mike Unger.
The W300 shoots 4K UHD video and “and will even let you shoot and save stills in the middle of recording a video,” said Tom’s Guide. “I like the variety of video settings, including fun features, like time-lapse or superlapse movie mode. But we were disappointed at it not having useful slow-motion features. . .”
The Nikon Coolpix never failed to perform in rain, snow, cold, or heat. Photo by Naomi Hudetz.
The “buttons aren’t much bigger than on regular cameras but are still functional and feel good to use,” said the Independent IndyBest. “Battery life is claimed at 280 shots, less than some here, but still a decent stretch, towards a full day of average use.” Indeed, compared to the 340 shots on the Olympus, we found battery life to be among the few drawbacks of the Coolpix.
Note that Nikon Coolpix is also available in a more affordable waterproof edition, the Nikon Coolpix W150.
The Panasonic Lumix is so tough that it survived five days in the muck of the Gila River, New Mexico (shown in this photo) before it was found and returned to its owner. The camera that was lost is the one that took this photo and is still operating well several years and many adventures later. This photo and others in this story were taken on an earlier model of the TS7, the TS5. Photo courtesy Whitney LaRuffa.
THE BEST WATERPROOF CAMERA WITH ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER: PANASONIC LUMIX DC-TS7
Waterproof (ft): 102
Freezeproof (F): 14
Shockproof (ft): 6.6
Crush proof (lbs): 220
Weight with battery (oz): 11
Battery life: 250 shots with electronic viewfinder; 300 with rear LCD
Megapixels: 20.4
Raw format: No
Wi-fi/Bluetooth?: Yes
Video: 4k
What we liked: electronic viewfinder is much easier to use, especially at altitude, automatic brightness adjustment, image quality in high light
What we didn't like: price, image quality in low light, not as wide shot as other cameras
The Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 (called the FT7 outside of the U.S.) is the first compact Tough Camera to have an electronic viewfinder, meaning you don’t have to struggle with looking at a glaring LED screen in bright or dim light. The camera also has an LED screen that you can compose on as well as use to review photos you’ve taken; the LED has an automatic brightness adjustment that makes taking photos easier in changing light conditions. “Obviously, you won't be able to use the EVF if you have a scuba mask on,” said DPReview,” but for shooting in bright light on land it could come in handy.”
VIEW THE PANASONIC LUMIX DC-TS7
In bright conditions like found in the Sierra (shown) or Rockies in the summer or the desert, an electronic viewfinder can be beneficial to prevent glare. Photo by Whitney LaRuffa.
But reviewers write that the wide-angle zoom was less of a wide-angle than many outdoor photographers want. “The TS7's lens is only 28mm at the wide-angle end of the zoom (as opposed to 24mm or 25mm). As a result, my landscapes of underwater seascapes weren't quite as expansive, and I wasn't able to include as many people in a group portrait (unless I stepped back a little),” said Tom’s Guide.
The Lumix in low light conditions on the Oregon Desert Trail in the autumn. We walked for 800 miles through a dry and dusty desert and the Panasonic held up well. Photo courtesy Whitney LaRuffa.
Tom’s Guide was also critical of the Panasonic’s low light image quality or lack of: “Image quality in bright light is good, although in my test shot, I found details at the edges to be a tad soft. Overall, it has very good dynamic range — the darkest tones could have been even darker — but by and large, the tonal range was solid in bright light. But in low light, the TS7 struggles with sharpness.”
Wildlife photos can be difficult to capture with any point-and-shoot camera. This photo of a marmot in the Sierra near Bishop Pass was taken with a Panasonic Lumix. Photo by Whitney LaRuffa.
“We’re a little stumped as to why Panasonic felt it was necessary to use a densely populated 20.4MP resolution on a small 1/2.3-inch sensor,” said Techradar. “Detail is a little disappointing when you zoom in on images (if you're expecting images to massively surpass a good quality smartphone, they won't), with the JPEG files appearing to sacrifice detail at the expense of noise reduction. This isn't too bad at low ISOs, but very noticeable as you increase the sensitivity, with high ISO images disappointing.”
In addition, the Panasonic’s autofocus can track a moving subject at 5 frames per second. The Panasonic Lumix DC-TS7 is the most waterproof camera we reviewed and can go deeper by a few feet than the other tough cameras.
Panorama taken in the Sierra with the Panasonic Lumix. Photo by Whitney LaRuffa.
The Panasonic is the heaviest tough camera we reviewed, coming in at a hefty 11 ounces. The battery life is relatively short among tough cameras—250 shots per battery isn’t outstanding, but it’s probably enough for a day’s outing.
If magazine-quality images and weight are not as important to you as ease of use and extreme durability and waterproofness, the TS7 is an excellent choice.
THE BEST AFFORDABLE TOUGH CAMERA: FUJIFILM FINEPIX XP140
Waterproof (ft): 82
Freezeproof (F): -10
Shockproof (ft): 5.8
Crush proof (lbs): No
Weight with battery (oz): 7.6
Battery life: 240 shots
Megapixels: 16.4
Raw format: No
Wi-fi/Bluetooth?: Yes
Video: 4k
What we liked: value for the price, simple to use, can be dropped 6 feet, waterproof down to 82 feet, 4k video, small and light
What we didn't like: battery life, quality of photos
If the Olympus TG-6 and Nikon Coolpix W300 tough cameras are beyond your budget, you should consider the Fujifilm FinePix XP140.
“A cheap and cheerful waterproof compact,” said Techradar. “Compared to its ultra-rugged competition, the FinePix XP130 doesn't have quite the same credentials. That means that it might not be quite up to some of the more active users, but still more than up to the job of a family beach or skiing holiday. Simple to use, this is a great option if you're after a durable point-and-shoot compact camera for family use, though don't expect too much from it.”
COMPARE PRICES OF THE FUJIFILM FINEPIX XP140
Waterproof down to 82 feet, the FinePix XP140 can be dropped from 6 feet and function in temperatures from -10 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The FinePix has 16 megapixels and a zoom lens that goes from 28-140mm. This updated model of the FinePix adventure camera can also shoot 4k-resolution video and has a Cinemagraph Mode that lets you take still images as you video. Video is at 15fps, which is much slower than other cameras.
Like the other tough cameras we considered, the FinePix has Bluetooth capability, allowing you to transfer your photos to a smartphone or tablet. The FinePix also has an electronic level so you can get the horizon level in your photographs. Optical image stabilization helps to reduce the blur that can happen when you zoom in. The newest feature of the XP140 is the smile shutter, which automatically takes photos “so you no longer miss the perfect photo.”
“One of the best things about the Fujifilm FinePix is that it’s small and light, making it easy to slip in a pocket or bag ready for your travels,” said Photographyblog. “Although the buttons are a little on the small side, they are all well pronounced from the body, making them easy to find and push when using the camera in difficult conditions, such as when wearing gloves or underwater. Furthermore, all of the buttons are grouped on the right hand side of the camera, so you’ll be able to make any settings changes when shooting one handed.” The newest model weighs 207 grams, or about 7.3 oz.
Battery life at 240 shots isn’t as much as some of the other cameras reviewed here but when a camera does just about everything else a Tough Camera is supposed to do at half the cost of other models, what’s to quibble about?
When traversing exposed and precarious areas, having a camera with good grip can be a benefit, such as this ridge walk on the Sierra High Route. This photo and others in this story were taken with an earlier model of the Ricoh WG-50, the WG-40. Photo by Liz Thomas
Best Waterproof Camera with Ergonomic Grip: RICOH WG-80
Waterproof (ft): 45
Freezeproof (F): 14
Shockproof (ft): 5
Crush proof (lbs): 220
Weight with battery (oz): 6.8
Battery life: 300 shots
Megapixels: 16
Raw format: No
Wi-fi/Bluetooth? No
Video: 1920x1080 FullHD
What we liked: easy of grip for climbing and scrambling, size, price
What we didn't like: small screen, controls awkward to use, control over image exposure and quality is lacking, no 4k video
My first tough camera was a Ricoh. Having destroyed some larger, more expensive cameras during my backpacking trips I found the Ricoh a welcome, weatherproof, relief, tough, inexpensive and easy to keep a grip on in dicey situations. The newest model of the line is the Ricoh WG-80, which continues the tradition of Ricoh’s ergonomic grip and pocket-sized, lightweight design,
One of the best things about the Ricoh rugged camera line is its grippy shape. ePHOTOzine agreed with that assessment: “The Ricoh WG-50 has a chunky style with a number of different textures, shapes, and ridges making is easy to get a grip of the camera, even if it's wet. The grip is particularly effective on the front of the camera. On the back are a number of raised dots to give better grip for your thumb, and a large metal strap loop makes it easy to attach the wrist strap. .”
COMPARE PRICES OF THE RICOH WG-80
Photo taken with the Ricoh on the Sierra High Route. Photo by Liz Thomas
But, I found the small screen on my Ricoh hard to see and the controls awkward to use. The newest model, the WG-80, has not improved in screen size. Even as other brands have nearly doubled their screen size over the years, Ricoh’s has stayed the same—with no increase in battery life.
More importantly, control over image exposure and image quality was lacking. “Image quality is a little disappointing, with images appearing soft, particularly at the longer end of the zoom lens,” writes ePHOTOzine. “The lack of image stabilisation and a fairly slow lens limits the camera's low light performance.”
Close-up of a wildflower taken with the Ricoh. Photo by Dean Krakel
That said, if you intend for your images to be posted on social media or websites, and not reproduced in magazines or hung on gallery walls, the Ricoh’s image quality should be fine.
Photo showing detail close-up and in the distance taken with the Ricoh. Photo by Liz Thomas
The Ricoh’s strength (aside from being virtually indestructible) is the 6 macro ring light LEDs that surround the lens. The LEDs can be used to light up macro images or for more flattering portrait light then a direct flash. The lights also come in handy for underwater shooting.
“The WG-50 from Ricoh is one of the toughest available, with nifty extra features and a price to match,” said TechRadar. They didn’t like the garish stylish of the WG-50, but subsequent models have updated that look—if little else.
The new WG-80 improves on a few technical features. The WG-70 and WG-80 are nearly identical in specs. The WG-80’s six LEDs are twice as bright as the WG-70. But the WG-70 and WG-80 still have the too small screen and lack of 4k video we wanted from the WG-50. The Ricoh WG-6, which came out in 2019, is an older model, but has a mode dial and can shoot 4k video for a similar price.
Tough cameras can survive falls while scrambling. This photo was taken on a 3rd class rock climbing scramble in the Sierra on the Panasonic Lumix. Photo by Whitney LaRuffa
SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE TOUGH CAMERAS?
Let’s start with what tough cameras are not. Your cellphone is not a tough camera. As cell phones have evolved so too has the quality of images produced with them. Many new cell phones like the Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy S22 or iPhone 13 are weather and waterproof—to a point. If you shoot in the rain, drop your phone into a creek or take a dunking while rafting, you’re covered.
But I wouldn’t test a cell phone’s durability much further than that. Don’t bounce your phone off a boulder, take it into a sandstorm, let it freeze or overheat or shoot with it at any depth underwater. Even in a protective case, a cell phone is still a cell phone with shortcomings in the camera department: a fixed focal length lens with limited telephoto capability (most will do a digital zoom which produces lower quality images) and limited exposure control.
A tough camera is not an action camera, like the GoPro Hero 8. While action cameras are fully water and weatherproof, they only have one wide angle focal length and a point of view that usually comes from being mounted on a helmet or other object. There is no exposure control. GoPros can take stills from the video but these kind of cameras are primarily dedicated to video.
Tough cameras can take tough conditions. This photo was taken in Olympic National Park with an Olympus TG-5. Photo by Liz Thomas
Point and Shoot
Tough cameras are sophisticated auto focus, auto exposure, point and shoot cameras with video capability. Although Tough Cameras are video capable, and can shoot high quality video, they are not primarily video cameras.
Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof
Tough cameras are tough! Weatherproof, waterproof, and crushproof, they can survive being dropped onto rocks, buried in mud, tossed at grizzly bears, and stomped on by moose. Tough cameras can function in rain, snow, and sandstorms and withstand extremes of hot and cold temperatures.
Quality Optics
Tough cameras have quality optics. Good lenses that are sharp edge to edge with accurate color reproduction are the cornerstone of good photography. Unlike many phone cameras, Tough cameras have optical telephoto lenses, not digital zooms. The digital zoom found in most phones is merely a low-quality crop of the image in your viewfinder. An optical zoom found on Tough cameras actually pulls the subject closer in the viewfinder. The cameras reviewed here will zoom (optically) from about 24 mm to 100 mm. Most Tough cameras have macro and even microlens settings for extreme close-ups.
A photo taken on the Continental Divide Trail with the Olympus TG-5. Photo by Dean Krakel.
Automatic Settings
Tough cameras can handle a wide latitude of varying exposure situations with automatic (and semi-auto) settings. For instance, under the “Scene” mode the Olympus TG-5 has 5 basic semi-automatic exposure settings: People, Nightscapes, Motion, Scenery, and Indoors, and over 20 different adjustments under those sub-categories to further fine-tune exposure. Exposure, back in the long-ago days of film meant the amount of light that touched the film inside the camera and produced the image. These days the camera’s sensor does the same thing.
Tough cameras can shoot single still images or bursts with zero or minuscule shutter lag. Most have autofocus adjustments that can hone in on a single object or keep a moving subject in focus.
Lightweight and Compact
In contrast to phones or full-size DSLR cameras or other non-tough point-and-shoots, tough cameras don’t need protective cases and are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket or backpack pouch. They are ergonomically designed for ease of use and large enough for their controls, buttons, and settings to be used even with glove liners on. A tough camera’s weight is measured in ounces. The weight of a typical DSLR camera, the kind with interchangeable lenses that you wear around your neck and hold in two hands is measured in pounds.
A photo of wildflowers on the Continental Divide Trail taken using the Olympus TG-5. Photo by Dean Krakel.
How We Researched
Being adventurers ourselves we researched reviews on Tough Cameras in TechRadar, B&H Photo, Tom’s Guide, CameraLabs, Independent IndyBest Reviews, Digital Camera World, DPReview, and ePHOTOzine, then aggregated and analyzed them for criteria important to outdoors people—features like waterproofness, battery life, ruggedness in a range of scenarios and the quality of images produced.
Another example of a high-light environment with the Ricoh. Photo by Liz Thomas
Buying advice
WATERPROOF depth
The most important feature of a Tough Camera is its ability to function in wet conditions, be it monsoon, blizzard or a plunge into lake or ocean. There is nothing worse than having a camera cease to function because it gets wet. Being waterproof is a matter of withstanding water pressure, which increases incrementally with depth. All the cameras considered here are fully sealed against moisture and rated to work at a minimum of 45 feet underwater with two rated at twice that depth. I value the waterproof qualities of Tough Cameras almost above all else since I’ve had 4 non-tough cameras (along with their lenses) die watery deaths through various boating mishaps.
Regardless of which adventure camera you get, we recommend outdoors people carry their electronics in a fully waterproof zip pocket somewhere on their backpack, either as a shoulder pocket or a fanny pack. This system is a lot more user-friendly than just using a ziplock bag to protect your camera. You’re also a lot more likely to remember to fully zip your waterproof pocket than you are to fully close a ziplock bag.
FREEZE PROOF
If you intend to take your camera skiing, backpacking, mountaineering, snowmobiling, or ice fishing, chances are temperatures will get low. At temperatures below freezing, the housing of non-rugged cameras can become brittle and possibly crack or break, lenses can malfunction-especially the zoom. Temperature extremes, for instance taking your camera outside into the cold or vice versa, can cause condensation to penetrate the camera body and lenses; lenses may fog to the point of being unusable. LCD viewing screens on non-weatherproof cameras may grey out or lose contrast in cold temperatures. All the cameras that made our list can handle the cold down to at least 14 degrees F.
With a tough camera, you aren’t afraid to capture the most difficult moments of an adventure, which often are the times that make the best photos. This photo was taken during a blizzard in the Canadian Rockies on an Olympus TG-5. Photo by Liz Thomas.
Shockproof
While spending time in the wild the odds are good that you’re going to drop your camera or bump it off of someplace you’ve set it. A typical point-and-shoot camera can break and cease to function after a hard fall. If you drop your phone and don’t have it in a protective case you stand to lose a lot more than just the ability to take photographs. All tough cameras are meant to withstand unfortunate accidental blows. In the San Juan mountains of Colorado, I once knocked my very expensive non Tough Camera off a small cliff and watched helplessly as it tumbled to the bottom. A Tough Camera would have survived that.
Crush Proof
Should a heavy-footed friend step on your Tough Camera, run over it with a mountain bike or stomp on it with skis it’s nice to know that it won’t burst into pieces. At the extreme end, a Tough Camera can probably survive being driven over (at least in the dirt), smashed under a boulder, tossed under a snow machine, or stepped upon by an angry elephant.
While I can’t personally vouch for a Tough Cameras toughness in those last scenarios I’m fairly confident, given my experience with TC’s, that I could pick it up and keep on shooting. Once I had a packhorse fall on a steep trail and roll downhill several times; that particular horse was carrying most of my non-tough camera gear as part of its load. The horse was fine. An expensive Nikon was crushed to pieces. A Tough Camera would have survived.
Photo of a person taking a photo with the Ricoh Tough camera. Photo was taken with the Panasonic Lumix Tough camera. Photo by Whitney LaRuffa.
DUSTPROOf
Dust is subtle and destructive. The same things that make a Tough Camera waterproof-a tightly sealed body and a protective lens housing-also shield it from sand, dirt, dust and mud. Dust can scar the lens of a non tough camera, grind buttons, knobs and levers to a halt and tear up the delicate insides-and dust will find its way inside. Tough Cameras are as at home in a Kalahari desert sandstorm as they are at the local Tough Mudder.
As with water, we’ve found that a fully waterproof zip pocket can help protect against microdust accumulating on the camera lens. Fully waterproof zip pockets are available as shoulder pockets or hipbelt pockets. The added benefit is that this system is a lot more user-friendly than just using a ziplock bag to protect your electronics. You’re also a lot more likely to remember to fully zip your waterproof pocket than you are to fully close a ziplock bag. For more on waterproof backpacking backpacks, see our Best Backpacking Backpack story.
Focal length
A lens’s focal length determines its field of view. The smaller the number, say 25mm, the wider the field of view. The larger the number, say 100mm, the narrower the field of view. The focal length of the Tough Cameras reviewed ranges from 25mm to 140mm. Wider lenses are better for scenics, selfies, and groups. Longer focal lengths are better for portraits, wildlife, flowers, and pulling in distant landscape features. Although 140mm isn’t really long by telephoto standards and won’t shrink the distance between you and that faraway shot by very much it’s still better than having only a fixed focal length lens (such as in cell phone cameras) to work with.
Close-up of a wildflower taken with the Ricoh. Photo by Liz Thomas
Lens Aperture
Apertures regulate the amount of light needed for exposure. The higher number of aperture, f/22 for example, the less light a lens can gather for exposure. Thus, smaller aperture numbers are best for low-light situations. As a lens’s focal length increases, when you’re using the zoom function, the size of its aperture decreases: f/16 allows less light in for your exposure than f/2.
But, and this is a big but, the lower the aperture number the shallower the depth of field. If you want your subject in focus from the wildflower in the foreground to the mountains in the background, you’ll use a smaller aperture to increase the depth of field.
A basic understanding of how this works is nice to know and some Tough Cameras do have manual aperture and shutter speed settings so you can control depth of field and exposure.
But the reality is, Tough Cameras and their various settings take care of all the guesswork for you. I shoot 90% of my Tough Camera photographs on the “Scene” setting and “landscape” subsetting with the focal length and aperture at its shortest and widest focal length and aperture.
A landscape of the Sierra taken with the Ricoh tough camera. Photo by Liz Thomas.
Megapixels
Photographers can get excited about the number of megapixels a camera has. A megapixel is 1 million pixels. A pixel is a small square, like a piece of tile, that when fit together with other pixels creates a photograph. The density of these pixels determines the resolution of your picture. The denser the megapixels, the higher the resolution — making your photos sharp and crisp and the colors vibrant. With a higher resolution, you can blow the photograph up to hang on the wall or make it a screen saver without the image becoming pixelated-when scant pixels are stretched too far. The Tough Cameras reviewed range from 12MP to 20MP. Here’s the catch.
Megapixels alone don’t determine the image quality — a camera’s optics and the size of its processing sensor do that. A camera can have fewer megapixels but a larger sensor and a better lens and produce higher resolution images than a 20MP camera with a smaller sensor and optically inferior glass.
We’ve listed the type of processing sensor these Tough Cameras have along with their MP’s.
Raw Format Support
Only one of the Tough Cameras we reviewed is able to shoot RAW images. Although most users will stick to the Jpeg format, the ability to capture images in Raw (you can shoot RAW and Jpegs at the same time) allows for major fine-tuning adjustments in post-production editing, especially in highly contrasting or low light situations.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Tough Cameras (all but one reviewed here) have Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth capability so that no matter where you are in the world, images can be transferred easily from the camera to a cell phone or tablet.
Close-up of sea anemones and kelp taken on the rugged beach of northern Washington. Photo by Liz Thomas
GPS
Some of the cameras we reviewed have GPS and the ability to geo-tag photos based on your location. Some also come equipped with thermometers, barometers, altimeters, electronic compasses, and depth measurements for underwater photos.
We’ve found that a camera’s GPS function doesn’t matter much during a trip, but is quite useful after an adventure when we are sorting and editing photos.
Last year, Treeline Review editors tracked blowdowns and other trail maintenance requirements on the Pacific Northwest Trail for the Pacific Northwest Trail Association using only photo geotagging from their cameras. This allowed our editors to share both the type of trail maintenance need as well as the location in one go vs. having to stop and add text to a GPS waypoint.
Related: The Best Personal Locator Beacons and Satellite Messengers
Video Quality
The cameras we considered shoot in 4K, 1920x1080 full HD, or 1080 video.
Monitor Size
Only one Tough Camera reviewed had the option of using an electronic viewfinder (EVF, instead of the usual LED back of the camera screen). With an EVF you can compose your photo through a viewfinder as you find on full-size cameras. All the Tough Cameras reviewed had LED monitors for viewfinders. Although all monitors were about the same size, even a small difference in monitor size helps when composing or playing back for review.
Photo of people taking a selfie on the Panasonic Lumix. This photo was taken on the Ricoh. Photo by Liz Thomas
Battery life
Always carry spare fully charged batteries. Manufacturers describe battery life by the average number of shots you can get. But I’ve found that battery life can vary depending on the weather, if you shoot video, how much you push the review button, and especially if the GPS is turned on. Being conservative in use and keeping my camera battery warm at night I’ve been able to go for several days between battery changes. But I’ve also burned through a battery in a day when I’ve been inspired or it’s freezing cold. (We’ve got other tips on how and why to keep electronics warm in the backcountry here.)
value
All of these cameras can be had for under $500 and there are numerous deals, sales and discounts to be had that make them even more affordable.
The underside of a jellyfish, taken underwater with the Olympus TG-6 in the island nation of Palau near Micronesia. Photo by Liz Thomas.
FAQ
Why should I carry a dedicated waterproof camera when I have a phone?
Editor’s note: In the update of this story, the editors wanted to address a common question we get. Why carry a dedicated camera when there’s one on your phone?
As minimalist outdoors people, we see the temptation to have a phone become a multi-use item for navigation, communication, and photography. We think the writer of this story, photojournalist Dean Krakel, does a good job explaining the artistic reasoning behind why a waterproof camera will serve you better than a phone. But we want to explain some of the practical day-to-day reasons why an outdoors person should consider separating their phone and camera.
Even though phone cameras are getting better and better in quality, each photo you take requires some of your phone’s battery. This is especially true if you choose to geotag your photo location. If you’re on a longer day hike or overnighter, your ability to take photos may eat enough battery to become a problem. When this happens, taking photos can compromise your ability to use your phone to help with navigation or communicate back home.
We’ve found that we appreciate separating our phone and camera into two devices the most while adventuring during cold or wet weather. In cold weather, phone batteries aren’t able to hold their charge nearly as long as during warm or mild temperatures. In wet weather, even with improved waterproofing technology on phones, many outdoors people choose to keep their phones protected in their backpacks.
A photo taken with the Olympus TG-6 on a trip to Palau in Micronesia. Photo by Liz Thomas.
We’ve found that a waterproof camera can take photos even in the worst weather. Carrying a dedicated waterproof camera has given us the ability to capture some of the most interesting lighting and harrowing moments of an adventure. Our favorite photos are taken during the worst weather, allowing us to create art that we appreciate long after we’re warm and dry again.
In cold and wet conditions, waterproof cameras are much easier to operate. Unless you have special gloves, most phone touch screens make it difficult to take photos without exposing your bare fingers. When it’s raining, most phone touchscreens treat falling raindrops the same as lots of fingers touching all over your screen. It can be quite frustrating to tell your phone to take photos when it treats every falling precipitation as an attempt to focus the camera or switch to a different app. That’s why even though your phone can survive getting wet, it’s no joy to operate a phone in wet or cold weather.
Additionally, waterproof cameras can work in conjunction with your phone to shoot photos remotely. While most phone cameras have a timer ability, using a real camera with your phone allows you to set up shots ahead of time.
Waterproof cameras also allow you to add on more professional equipment like lenses. We’re beginning to see some phone cameras having add-on optics lens, like the Olloclip, but for now, they’re still less powerful than what’s available for a compact waterproof camera.
A jellyfish closeup taken on a trip to Palau in Micronesia on the Olympus TG-5. Photo by Liz Thomas.
What’s the best underwater camera for snorkeling?
For point-and-shoot cameras, we like the Olympus TG-6 for snorkeling and underwater photography. We took the Olympus to the island nation of Palau in Micronesia, widely considered home to the world’s best scuba diving. The camera survived 5 days of snorkeling, lagoon swimming, and big wave ocean motorboat rides that destroyed cell phones and other non-waterproof electronics. With five underwater shooting modes, there’s no doubt about it: the TG-6 is a fantastic waterproof compact camera.
Dean Krakel is the author of this very serious story. Photo courtesy Dean Krakel
Author’s Expertise / Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve spent four decades working as a photographer, photojournalist, and photo editor in the Rocky Mountain West with work appearing in various publications including National Geographic, Outside, Life, and Rolling Stone magazines. I know what savage conditions a camera has to go through sometimes for the sake of a few pictures. I know what makes a camera tough.
An avid hiker, skier, trail runner, rafter, mountain biker, and kayaker based in Crested Butte, Colorado I am notoriously hard on camera gear. Fellow staff members at the Rocky Mountain News once presented me with an award consisting of a rusty camera sealed inside a water jug.
Assignments and photo adventures have taken me to nearly every hardscrabble place in the West and beyond. I’ve caught Dengue fever in the headwaters of the Amazon and suffered a touch of cerebral edema on Kilimanjaro, looked for lost tribes in Ethiopia’s remote Omo Valley, and rowed the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon twice.
I love Tough Cameras, cameras that are tough enough to go the distance through all kinds of conditions and bad decisions and keep on working. Just like me. The highest compliment I can give any piece of gear is to say that it’s “Dean-proof.”
In 2015 I left my newspaper career to hike the 500-mile-long Colorado Trail; a film about that hike—The Long Haul—won a Heartland Emmy Award. All of the still images in The Long Haul were taken with a Tough Camera, an Olympus TG-4. My latest project is hiking and photographing the 3,100-mile-long Continental Divide Trail and to date, most of that has been photographed with a TG-5.
Other Treeline stories by Dean Krakel:
You can read all of Dean's Treeline Review stories on his author page.
SOURCES
Note: Photos in this story were taken on the Olympus TG-5, Olympus TG-6, Nikon CoolPix AW100, Panasonic Lumix DC-TS5, and Ricoh WG-40, some of which are previous models of the cameras discussed in this story.
