Pros & Cons
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- Rugged, waterproof pocket camera
- Bright F2.0 aperture at widest angle
- Large magnification for close-up focus
- Add-on lenses and flash modifiers available
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- Expensive
- Rear screen doesn't support touch
- Picture quality lags behind smartphones
- Underwhelming video features
OM System TG-7 Specs
| 35mm Equivalent (Telephoto) | 100 mm |
| 35mm Equivalent (Wide) | 25 |
| Battery Type | Olympus LI-92B |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Connectivity | GPS |
| Connectivity | micro HDMI |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
| Dimensions | 2.6 by 4.5 by 1.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1.04 |
| Display Size | 3.0 inches |
| HDMI Output | Yes |
| Maximum ISO | 12800 |
| Maximum Waterproof Depth | 50 |
| Memory Card Format | SDXC (UHS-I) |
| Memory Card Slots | 1 |
| Minimum ISO | 100 |
| Optical Zoom | 4 x |
| Sensor Resolution | 12 |
| Sensor Size | Type 1/2.3 |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS |
| Stabilization | Optical |
| Type | Compact |
| Video Resolution | 4K |
| Viewfinder Type | None |
| Weight | 8.8 |
The OM-System TG-7 waterproof camera ($549.99) is its first since the Olympus rebranding. It offers minor updates over the older TG-6 ($499.99), including some cosmetic changes and USB-C charging, but it's otherwise the same camera. A 50-foot waterproof rating, macro focus capabilities, and onboard GPS remain welcome features for adventurers, but its photo and video capabilities respectively lag behind contemporary smartphones and action cams. Ultimately, the TG-7 remains a reasonable, though expensive, option if you must have an indestructible pocket cam, but the GoPro Hero11 Black ($349.99) keeps our Editors' Choice award in the tough camera category thanks to its superior image quality, touch support, and top-notch stabilization.
What's Old Is New Again
The OM System TG-7 is pretty much the same camera as the TG-6, which itself isn't very different than the TG-5. This relative lack of change is an effect of a shrinking compact camera market and certainly takes the impetus to upgrade away if you have an older model that's in good working order. Most people use smartphones for everyday snapshots, so camera makers have largely moved on to interchangeable-lens models or expensive compacts with oversized sensors and manual control schemes to satisfy shutterbugs.
But tough cameras still have an audience. For example, they appeal to adventure-seekers who don't want to risk a phone while they rock climb or snorkel, as well as contractors and construction workers who need a camera that can handle the stresses of a worksite. So, although there's not much new about the TG-7, there's still enough demand to warrant a successor to the now-discontinued TG-6.
OM might not have put much R&D effort into this release, but the TG-7 stands out against the competition because others are doing even less. The Ricoh WG-80 ($329.95) is the most recent tough compact I've reviewed and is a middling performer in comparison, even for less money. Ricoh makes a few other WG cameras, but recognizable brands like Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Leica are out of the waterproof camera game.
If you're after fresher imaging tech in a waterproof camera, the GoPro Hero11 or Hero12 are both worthwhile alternatives with 27MP sensors and much better video features, though stills photographers are likely to miss the macro and zoom capabilities of the TG-7.
If you have a quality smartphone camera, consider spending your money on an underwater housing. The SeaLife SportDiver Underwater Housing ($349.95), for instance, works at depths of up to 130 feet and is compatible with many of the latest iPhone, Galaxy, and Pixel handsets. Of course, you might not want to chance your smartphone in the water, especially if it holds the travel documents for your vacation.
Rugged, Waterproof, and Pocketable
The TG-7 is a classic compact digital. It's small enough to fit into a pocket at 2.6 by 4.4 by 1.3 inches (HWD) and weighs a meager 8.8 ounces. The metal frame highlights the tough build, and the camera comes in either a metallic red or black finish. The TG-7 switches to OM System branding and makes some cosmetic changes to the handgrip, but is otherwise identical to the TG-6.
The camera has a fully dustproof and waterproof IP68 rating; it can survive at depths of up to 50 feet. I submerged it in shallower water in testing with no ill effects but didn't get the chance to take it deeper. It's also tough enough to handle 7-foot (2.1m) drops and withstand 220lbf (100kgf) of pressure. In addition, OM-System rates it to work in temperatures as cold as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius).
The tripod socket is in the center of the bottom plate, a better design choice than the offset screw Ricoh uses in the WG-80. For handholding, you can attach a wrist strap to the right side. The clip is bolted on and pretty wide, so it can accommodate different styles of straps. OM bundles a wide cloth wrist strap with the camera.
A 4x zoom lens offers two big advantages over action cams: zoom power and macro focus. The 25-100mm range covers moderately wide to short telephoto angles and supports focus nearly to the surface of the glass for extreme macros. It offers more zoom power than an action cam or iPhone 14 Pro but lags behind smartphones with periscope zooms like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. You might also still need to turn to your smartphone for quick ultra-wide snapshots.
Good Controls, Disorganized Menus
The TG-7 has a decent amount of on-body controls for a rugged camera. The top plate includes a power button, a shutter release, a zoom lever, a control dial, and a Log switch to toggle the GPS. The camera also saves some extra info that others don't, including ambient temperature, altitude, and barometric pressure, even when the Log function is off.
The Record button is nestled into the rear thumb rest and a Mode dial is just underneath. Full Auto and Program modes are available for beginners, while more advanced users can use Aperture priority to set the f-stop manually. The dial also has Scene (SCN) modes, two Custom slots (C1, C2), an underwater mode (indicated by a fish icon), and a Microscope position that puts the camera into its macro mode (restricts focus between 1 and 30cm).
Info, Play, Menu, and a four-way d-pad fill out the rear button scheme. The d-pad supports four additional functions via direction presses—EV, Flash, Drive, and Digital Zoom. The latter is a pain point as I accidentally pressed the left directional button a couple of times when out and about with the camera. The 2x digital zoom left me wondering where my wide-angle coverage went, and the only other clue that it's turned on is a tiny indicator icon near the top of the display. I wish there was a way to turn the feature off or remap the button, but the TG-7's interface isn't configurable at all.
On the plus side, the buttons feel pretty good and press in without the mushiness of those on lots of other waterproof gear. The controls are a little small, which isn't a problem for general use, but can make it tough to change settings if you're wearing gloves. I like that the camera has a control dial on the top plate for EV or aperture control, depending on the mode.
You need to dive into the menus to access certain controls and settings. The TG-7 has two: an on-screen overlay menu that runs along the right side of the screen and a multipage text menu. Curiously, some features are available in one, but not the other, and many features are in unexpected places. For example, file format options are in the overlay menu, but not the full text menu. Conversely, you can change the autofocus area only via the lengthy text menu. Not every feature is available in every mode either. For instance, in-camera Art filters are unavailable in the Microscope mode, and you need to dive into the Scene menu to make any changes to the shutter speed. Use the Action scenes when you want a short, motion-freezing exposure, or Night modes for long exposures.
The 3-inch, 1.04-million-dot rear display shows a clear, colorful picture and offers wide viewing angles, so you can preview your photo even if you don't have a straight-on view of the screen. The screen is not touch-sensitive, however, an aspect that makes the camera seem out of date. Touch screens are common in action cams—the GoPro Hero12 Black has a rear screen that works well even if you have wet fingers, and the DJI Osmo Action 4 has both front and rear touch screens. Adding one, and modernizing the TG-7's interface, would be welcome improvements. There's no viewfinder here.
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Connectivity, Power, and Accecssories
The TG-7's most significant upgrade is the move from a micro USB charging port (introduced with the TG-5) to USB-C. You get a USB-C-to-USB-A cable in the box but need to supply your own wall plug to charge the LI-92B battery. The battery should last for around 330 pictures per charge according to CIPA testing standards.
A double-locking door covers the charging and micro HDMI ports: You need to flip two switches to open or close it, and do so in the right order, a reasonable precaution for an underwater camera. The battery and UHS-I SDXC card slots are in a separate compartment at the bottom of the camera with the same type of lock.
I've mentioned the in-camera GPS, temperature, air pressure, and altitude measurements, but the TG-7 can also display a compass on the rear display; just press the Info button when the camera is off.
All of the expected wireless connectivity features are here, including Bluetooth 4.2+LE and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so you can connect the camera to your smartphone using the O.I. Share app (available for Android and iOS) as a bridge. I paired the TG-7 with my iPhone in a snap via a QR code and had no problems using the app as a remote control and for file transfers.
Since the TG-7 uses the same body style as earlier cameras in the series, it works with the same accessories. That means you can keep using flash modifiers and lens converters even if you're upgrading from a TG-1. The LG-1 Light Guide ($40.99) and FD-1 Flash Diffuser ($51.99), for example, respectively take light from the LED and Xenon flashes and reshape it as a ring flash to fill in shadows for macro shots.
You can also add a conversion lens, such as the TCON-T01 ($115.99), which makes the lens more telephoto. Alternatively, the FCON-T01 ($125.99) is a regular fish-eye, while the FCON-T02 ($204.99) is a circular fish-eye. All conversion lenses require the separate CLA-T01 ($22.99) mounting adapter.
The front cover glass is unprotected, so it’s a good idea to pick up a cap such as the LB-T01 Lens Barrier ($49.99). Meanwhile, the OM CSCH-128 Silicone Jacket ($39.99) protects the body. Scuba divers should look to the PT-059 Underwater Housing ($299.99) because it extends underwater use to 147 feet, just beyond the 130-foot limit for recreational diving.
Basic Photo Features
As mentioned, the TG-7 has the same imaging features as the TG-6, which is nearly identical to the TG-5. The three models all use a Type 1/2.3 format 12MP BSI CMOS sensor and the TruePic VIII image processor. Those specs are underwhelming in light of smartphones and action cams with bigger chips and more powerful processors that boost their computational performance.
The TruePic platform supports basic JPG snaps with different color filters as well as the Raw format for advanced users. Some of OM's useful computational features are here too, though you have to dig to find them. Live Composite and HDR options are buried in Scene modes, for example, and you need to dive into the text menu to find macro focus stacking. This camera is notably missing the Live ND feature from the OM-5 and OM-1.
The autofocus system is basic but gets the job done. The TG-7 uses a central point of interest by default and supports face detection for humans. You can swap the focus area to cover a wider area of the frame, an option that works pretty well. You should skip the nearly useless Tracking option though. It's tricky to use (you have to simultaneously half-press the shutter and the rear OK button to lock focus on a target) and it loses track of a subject really quickly. The burst rate is ample, though, at up to 20fps with an electronic shutter, 10fps with a pre-capture buffer, or 5fps with the mechanical shutter.
The sensor covers a wide ISO range (100 to 12800) but defaults to a maximum automatic setting of ISO 1600. You can change this in the settings menu, though picture quality suffers at higher settings. The TG-7 snaps sharp, clear photos at ISO 100, with a slight dip in fine detail from ISO 200-800. The pictures are soft at ISO 1600-3200, and blurry at ISO 6400-12800. The lens loses light when you zoom in, so keep it at its widest angle for the best results in dim settings.
I reviewed the TG-7 ahead of its release, so I couldn't check its Raw output in our standard developer, Adobe Lightroom Classic, just yet. But based on my tests of the TG-6, you can expect usable Raw files through around ISO 3200, just as with JPGs.
Enabling the Raw mode adds some features to the camera. The TG-7 supports in-camera processing, for instance, so you can swap a photo from color to black-and-white or apply an Art filter after snapping an image. The expected profiles for natural, vivid, and black-and-white scenes, among others, are available, along with a bunch of filtered looks that range from tasteful to garish.
The 25-100mm F2.0-4.9 zoom lens performs relatively well. At the wide end, it delivers strong contrast across most of the frame and benefits from a bright aperture. Picture quality drops when you zoom in, however, and I see some chromatic aberration in our test charts and real-world snaps.
If the imaging capabilities are a little dated, the video options are positively ancient. The TG-7 records 4K at 25 or 30fps and does 1080p at 25, 30, 50, or 60fps. The cinema-friendly 24fps option is missing entirely. I noticed a decent amount of focus flutter and found the stabilization struggled to keep zoomed-in shots steady. A recent iPhone rolls better footage, and both the GoPro Hero12 Black and DJI Osmo Action 4 are much more advanced.
Tough, But Stuck in the Past
If you are in the market for a traditional tough compact camera, fewer options exist now than before. OM-System's TG-7 is as competent as the outgoing TG-6 and offers a few welcome tweaks, but a high price and outdated internal tech make it difficult to recommend to all but the most demanding adventurers and outdoor workers. Earlier TG models admirably competed against contemporary compacts, but modern smartphones and action cams simply have a broader appeal because of their convenience and superior imaging and video prowess. Overall, the GoPro Hero11 Black ($349) is our Editors' Choice winner if you are looking for a tough, take-anywhere camera for your travel destination or worksite (our Hero12 review is still in the works), though some stills photographers might find greater appeal in the TG-7 thanks to its macro and zoom capabilities.