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Olympus TG-820 iHS

 
Olympus TG-820 iHS front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 206g - 101 x 65 x 26mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus TG-820 iHS overview

Olympus TG-820 iHS is Olympus's Waterproof digital camera originally announced on February of 2012. The camera uses a 12MP, CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a peak resolution of 3968 x 2976.

The TG-820 iHS is ranked #45 out of 75 in Waterproof cameras and all round #885 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. You can use our Smart camera search to get camera listings based on your personalized requirements.

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The following is a diagram of multiple criteria used in the scoring system.

Olympus TG-820 iHS history

The Olympus TG-820 iHS is part of a family of products. You can see the full list underneath.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Olympus-Tough-TG-6 front thumbnailOlympus TG-6
TG-820 iHS vs TG-6
25-100mm
F2.0-4.9
12MP1/2.3"2019
Olympus-Tough-TG-5 front thumbnailOlympus TG-5
TG-820 iHS vs TG-5
25-100mm
F2.0-4.9
12MP1/2.3"2017
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Olympus-Tough-TG-4 front thumbnailOlympus TG-4
TG-820 iHS vs TG-4
25-100mm
F2.0-4.9
16MP1/2.3"2015
Olympus-Stylus-Tough-TG-860 front thumbnailOlympus TG-860
TG-820 iHS vs TG-860
21-105mm
F3.5-5.7
16MP1/2.3"2015
Olympus-Tough-TG-3 front thumbnailOlympus TG-3
TG-820 iHS vs TG-3
25-100mm
F2.0-4.9
16MP1/2.3"2014
Olympus-Stylus-Tough-TG-850-iHS front thumbnailOlympus TG-850 iHS
TG-820 iHS vs TG-850 iHS
21-105mm
F3.5-5.7
16MP1/2.3"2014
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Olympus-Tough-TG-2-iHS front thumbnailOlympus TG-2 iHS
TG-820 iHS vs TG-2 iHS
25-100mm
F2.0-4.9
12MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-TG-630-iHS front thumbnailOlympus TG-630 iHS
TG-820 iHS vs TG-630 iHS
28-140mm
F3.9-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-TG-830-iHS front thumbnailOlympus TG-830 iHS
TG-820 iHS vs TG-830 iHS
28-140mm
F3.9-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-Tough-TG-1-iHS front thumbnailOlympus TG-1 iHS
TG-820 iHS vs TG-1 iHS
25-100mm
F2.0-4.9
12MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-TG-820-iHS front thumbnailOlympus TG-820 iHS28-140mm
F3.9-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2012
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Olympus-TG-320 front thumbnailOlympus TG-320
TG-820 iHS vs TG-320
28-102mm
F3.5-5.1
14MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-TG-810 front thumbnailOlympus TG-810
TG-820 iHS vs TG-810
28-140mm
F3.9-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-TG-310 front thumbnailOlympus TG-310
TG-820 iHS vs TG-310
28-102mm
F3.9-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-TG-610 front thumbnailOlympus TG-610
TG-820 iHS vs TG-610
28-140mm
F3.9-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-Stylus-Tough-3000 front thumbnailOlympus Tough-3000
TG-820 iHS vs Tough-3000
28-102mm
F3.5-5.1
12MP1/2.3"2010

Olympus TG-820 iHS Pros and Cons

Here is a list of good and bad points of the Olympus TG-820 iHS based on things which are generally seen as important in a digital camera.

built-in flash
features face detect autofocus
features tracking focus
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
in built lens has zoom (28-140mm 5.0 x zoom)
includes HDMI port
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
very good min ISO (100)
very good screen resolution (1,030 thousand dot)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
weather proofing
bad battery power (220 per charge)
can't use external flash
has no phase detect autofocus
has no RAW support
lack of aperture priority mode
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
max zoom aperture not good (f5.9)
missing headphone port
missing mic port
missing Time Lapse recording
no manual control
no shutter priority
screen does not articulate
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.9)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Olympus TG-820 iHS Sensor specs

The Olympus TG-820 iHS features the TruePic VI processor. The sensor measurement on the Olympus TG-820 iHS is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 3968 x 2976 pixels . The camera boasts Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). Sensor stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization since the latter may cause cropping.

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The CMOS sensor boasts 12 megapixels and supports a standard ISO range of 100 to 6400. Unfortunately, RAW photos are not saved which means that you have less room to maneuver in post.

The graphic underneath illustrates the TG-820 iHS's sensor size when compared to other popular sizes. The TG-820 iHS sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is presented in green.

Olympus TG-820 iHS sensor size OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus

To get a sense of various aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Olympus TG-820 iHS dimensions

Olympus TG-820 iHS has a weight of 0.45 pounds (206g / 7.27 ounces) and features external dimensions of 101mm x 65mm x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0"). The weight of general Waterproof camera is 195g and the Olympus TG-820 iHS is very similar compared to various rivals.

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Down below is a picture of the Olympus TG-820 iHS beside a soda so you're able to have a feel for its size.

Olympus TG-820 iHS dimensions scale

The top view just below will highlight the button arrangement on the TG-820 iHS.

Olympus TG-820 iHS topview buttons dials

Olympus TG-820 iHS Lens details

The TG-820 iHS comes with a built in lens offering a focal range of 28-140mm giving it a 5.0 x zoom which isn't really perfect nevertheless it is going to be invaluable in some conditions.

At it's widest 28mm, it will have an aperture of f3.9 which is very sluggish and not very good in low light occasions and you will find it difficult to capture a shallow depth of field. You could also have to up your ISO setting leading to noisy photos. At the long end, 140mm comes to f5.9 making it quite sluggish and you will have to go with slower shutter speeds.

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Olympus TG-820 iHS Connectivity

The TG-820 iHS has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Cameras that have NFC and Bluetooth support are able to be controlled wirelessly by smartphones. You will be able to send images and sometimes adjust camera settings without connecting physically with the camera.

A few apps also provide a Liveview and press the shutter if you aren't close to the camera. If the camera contains a HDMI out, it can easily be attached to an external display. Virtually all cameras enable you to charge the battery using the USB port.

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Olympus TG-820 iHS Video details

The highest video quality on the Olympus TG-820 iHS is 1920 x 1080 and it can record in MPEG-4 and H.264 file format. 1080p quality delivers a great balance for video quality versus file size but FULL HD won't leave you with much room to crop. The body doesn't include a mic and headphone socket which means you have got absolutely no control over your audio. It is probably best to take a look at an alternative model if you need decent audio in your videos.

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Olympus TG-820 iHS Weather Sealing

Olympus TG-820 iHS comes with weather sealing making it a good choice to use for rough conditions. This can be especially beneficial in case you are unsure about the conditions you might face for outdoor photography.

Olympus TG-820 iHS Screen and Viewfinder

The Olympus TG-820 iHS houses a 3 inch fixed display having a resolution of 1,030 thousand dots.

Please note that the display screen offers no touch support.

Olympus TG-820 iHS screen and viewfinder Kodak's Tri-X Black-and-White Film Now 30% Cheaper

The ViewFinder specs regarding Olympus TG-820 iHS are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders can be really beneficial for sunny outdoor conditions which might make the camera screen washed out and hard to view.

Olympus TG-820 iHS Shutter details

Olympus TG-820 iHS continuous shooting rate is 5.0 frames/s. The highest shutter speed is 1/2000 seconds.

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Olympus TG-820 iHS Flash and Hot shoe details

Olympus TG-820 iHS boasts just inbuilt flash with missing external flash ability.

Olympus TG-820 iHS Autofocus details

Olympus TG-820 iHS boasts only Contrast Detect Autofocus and is missing Phase Detect Autofocus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more faster & exact as compared to Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera boasts Face detection which can be helpful for people photography.

It also features Tracking Autofocus for things on the move. Olympus TG-820 iHS has not got manual focus. Manual focus mode can be good for low light or you want to have more accurate depth of field control.

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Olympus TG-820 iHS Battery life

The battery power (LI-50B) in the Olympus TG-820 iHS is fashioned to last for 220 pictures as per the CIPA requirements which is lower in comparison with its rivals. The typical Waterproof camera battery life is 275. Olympus TG-4 offers the highest (380) battery life for this group of cameras.

Underneath is a list of Waterproof cameras having the strongest battery life:

Olympus TG-820 iHS for specific forms of photography

The following illustration gives a overview of the Olympus TG-820 iHS for specific forms of photography. To understand more, browse to the specific section underneath.

Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Portrait photography camera

The Olympus TG-820 iHS receives a score of 27 which is terrible, and means the camera is not acceptable for portrait images. Taking portrait images favors greatly towards sensor size, support for RAW files in addition to the flexibility to utilize external flash.

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comes with face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files

Olympus TG-820 iHS Street photography advice

Getting a very good points tally of 61, the Olympus TG-820 iHS is a good choice to buy for street photography. A good street photography camera features a good balance of picture quality and portability.

OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support

Sports photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS

A terrible sports photography score of 34 suggests the Olympus TG-820 iHS is not acceptable for shooting sports. A camera should have great autofocus plus fast shutter speeds for sports photography.

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image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus

Travel photography with Olympus TG-820 iHS

Portability is extremely crucial when selecting a travel camera. All things considered, the Olympus TG-820 iHS gets a moderate 59 as a travel camera which is somewhat acceptable for your journeys.

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environment proof
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery power (220 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.9)

Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Landscape photography camera

For anybody looking to choose a camera for landscape photography, the most significant aspect will no doubt be image quality. The Olympus TG-820 iHS at it's terrible grade of 38 as a landscape camera is not acceptable among it's competition.

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fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery life (220 per charge)
no Timelapse mode

Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Vlogging camera

A camera for vlogging should really offer a articulating screen, mic input and ideally IBIS. Considering all the details, the Olympus TG-820 iHS is not acceptable as a vlog camera as it gets a terrible score of 33.

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relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket

Olympus TG-820 iHS Alternatives

If you want replacements to the TG-820 iHS, below is a collection of the top scored cameras which fall in to the class of Waterproof.

The graph here shows you an overview of the TG-820 iHS versus it's highest ranked rivals mentioned earlier.

These are various other cameras you might regard as alternate options. To look at a thorough comparison, simply click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Manufacturer
Olympus
Model
Olympus TG-820 iHS
Type
Waterproof
Revealed
2012-02-08
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor Chip
TruePic VI
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Maximum resolution
3968 x 2976
RAW support
Maximum native ISO
6400
Minimum native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mounting type
fixed lens
Lens focal range
28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture
f/3.9-5.9
Macro focus range
1cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
3 inches
Screen resolution
1,030 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology
HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO All around score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Lowest shutter speed
4 seconds
Highest shutter speed
1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed
5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range
3.50 m
Flash settings
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions
1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution
1920x1080
Video file format
MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
206g (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions
101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0")
Other
Battery life
220 photos
Battery form
Battery Pack
Battery model
LI-50B
Self timer
Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots
Single
Cost at launch
$500