'Do not handle with care,' states the Olympus Web site. Brilliant. Available for around £260, the mju Tough-8000 is shockproof to 2m, waterproof to 10m, freezeproof to -10°C and crushproof to 100kg. But you still get a 12-megapixel sensor, 3.6x wideangle zoom and image stabilisation. Hell, it even looks good.
Positives
They say that, if you're going to do something, you should do it properly. The cheaper mju Tough-6000 is an attractive and tough camera, but the 8000 is the real McCoy. It can be dropped further, dive deeper and survive more punishing treatment. It's also got slightly more resolution, for what that's worth.
Despite all its tough-guy credentials, the 8000's also perfectly practical as a day-to-day camera. Like the 6000, the 8000 has a compact, non-extending wideangle zoom -- you could never waterproof the usual sort. While it might be stretching it to call the 8000 a super-slim, it is very compact. There's nothing you can get in an ordinary 12-megapixel compact that you don't get here.
The picture quality's good. The fine detail's not quite as sharp as that of the 8000's best rivals, and the lens goes slightly hazy around the edges, but you've got to be viewing images at 100 per cent magnification on-screen, or turning out A4 prints or larger, to spot it. The colours, white balance and exposure are spot-on, and it's not bad at high ISOs, either. There's plenty of noise, but that's better than the hopeless smudging applied by most other camera makers.
For a ruggedised camera, the 8000 is surprisingly easy to use. You can spin the mode dial and work all the buttons with your thumb -- there's no need to change or loosen your grip -- and all the main image settings, like white balance, ISO and more, are accessed via a quick and easy to use Func button. The main menu system is more convoluted, but, most of the time, you won't need it.
Olympus' 1cm super macro mode offers hours of enjoyment too. And, if you get so close that you're blocking the light, you can switch to the LED mode, in which the camera provides its own illumination, although you have to back off a couple of centimetres for this to work.
Negatives
The 8000's main weaknesses are its finish and the controls. Both are perfect for an everyday camera, but not necessarily ideal in the conditions that the 8000 is designed to survive. That polished metal exterior could get slippery, and the buttons on the back are clustered closely together -- something that's noticeable even when you're not wearing gloves.
Also, like the 6000, this is a very solid little camera. If you really do start throwing it around, someone's going to get hurt.
Conclusion
You expect compromises in a specialised camera, but precious few have been made with the Olympus mju Tough-8000. The fine detail could be better but it's not enough to worry about, and you're not giving up on any of the things you can take for granted in a standard snapper. The 8000 is compact, practical, easy to use and versatile. It's like having an armoured Ford Ka.
Edited by Charles Kloet
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gavramidis 24 November 2010
Good: Compact and indeed tough. Ideal for kids handling and introducing them in the world of photography. Great for underwater pictures.
Bad: Nothing! It's a perfect all-arounder and image quality is very good, if not excellent
Comment: I got it as a warranty replacement to a 1030 SW which finally leaked water after repairing twice for dust participles in the sensor (!). Actually that 1030 was purchased in Singapore as noted by the previous reviewer and makes me wonder if that whole lot was defective. In any case, this model is outstanding. I own it for a year and has been proved to be compact enough to fit in the back-pocket of my jeans and is perfect for all situations. Rainy days, snow-ski excursions, summer holidays and underwater photography. It has also been an ideal partner for my kids first steps in photography. It can withstand drops, as happened many times and results are definetely above average. Great panoramic photos too. Sony is heavily advertising the "sweep panorama" , a function that is supported already many years in this camera. I have had other cheaper point-and-shoot cameras before but it was a waste of money, producing photos similar to my Sony-Ericsson mobile phone. My recommendation: if you are looking for an all arounder for photos of a life time, this medium priced camera offers unsurpassed value for money. Now that the replacement 8010 is on the market, you can find it in unbelievable clearence prices.
Joseph Williams 27 July 2010
Good: Looks good
Bad: The worst pictures ever... I've played with the settings but it's hopeless...
Comment: I bought the Olympus to use in poor weather during mobilisation on construction ships, barges and generally running around the quayside. Living in Singapore means plenty of rain and it is usually the case when trying to get good shots when on deck. The worst is that when used as a normal compact in workshops and yards when documenting equipment, the pictures are generally out of focus and lacking in any decent detail. It's waterproof and has a tough feel though its prime objective of taking pictures falls short of average. It's around S$500 and some of the cheaper cameras I have used take way better shots. As a bonus, boozy nights out take on a new effect with this camera as everybody looks blurred...
wrayan 25 November 2009
Good: The clarity and diversity of the camera leaves no place where you can not take this excellent camera
Bad: Nothing, it's exactly what it should be
Comment: The Olympus Tough 8000 is a camera that defies belief, the first time you take it in the water you'll think it's going to break it, but once you realise the name signifies it's ability you soon relax and start to explore it's features. the underwater movie function is great when snorkeling or shallow diving (limit is 10m), the results are breath taking. The still shots are also good although keeping still in currents challenges the image stability. On firm ground it performs better or on par with it's marqued peers that have vastly reduced diverse terrain capabilities. Start up speed is good and the features on the camera are easy to find and use, unlik emany others I've experienced. I would recommend this camera to anyone, especially now that the micro SD ram cards have so much capacity. Although still slightly weird taking a camera under water it has brought a whole new world to my lens.
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