OM System Tough TG-7 – A Worthy Upgrade from the TG-6?

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OM System Tough TG-7 Review

My wife and I have been sharing an Olympus TG-6 for a while now, and as we found ourselves reaching for it more frequently during our walks and outdoor trips, I considered buying a second one. However, when OM System announced the imminent release of the TG-7, I decided to wait – and I’m glad I did.

What’s in the Box?

The TG-7 comes with:

An LI-92B battery (the same as earlier TG1 to TG-6 models, so existing users can keep their spares)
A USB-C charging cable (a welcome upgrade from the TG-6’s micro-USB)
A wrist strap
The OM System Tough TG-7 user manual (PDF version can be found HERE)

Design & Build: Subtle but Meaningful Refinements

If you are already a fan of the Olympus Tough series you will recognize the familiar rugged design, but the TG-7 introduces a few refinements:

Dimensions & Weight: The TG-7 is 1mm wider and deeper than the TG-6. Surprisingly, despite OM System claiming identical weights, my measurements showed the TG-7 at 247g (vs. the TG-6’s 251g) – both with a battery but no SD card.
Cosmetic Tweaks:
- The underside now has a matte finish (versus the TG-6’s gloss).
- The battery compartment is dark grey (no more red accents).
- The red body is a slightly different shade, and most lettering is now in white for a cleaner look.
Improved Grip: The TG-7’s grip has a more textured surface, improving handling in wet or rugged conditions.
Display Upgrade: The 3″ TFT screen (while perhaps not immediately obvious) delivers more accurate, true-to-life colors.

Key Upgrades Over the TG-6

USB-C Port – No more fumbling with micro-USB thank goodness! Faster charging and data transfer.
Wireless Remote Compatibility – The TG-7 now supports the RM-WR1* remote (sold separately), which is perfect for tripod shooting or group photos.
Vertical Video Recording – Ready for TikTok-style content without awkward cropping.
Enhanced Metadata Capture – The TG-7 embeds GPS, compass, altimeter, depth, thermometer, and barometer data into photos—great for adventurers.

*Oddly enough, OM System only mentions this remote in connection with the OM-1 but it does indeed work with the TG-7 and is specifically mentioned in the manual as doing so. It appears to be no longer made but can still be found if you keep your eyes open. I was lucky enough to find one and can 100% confirm they work together. Finding one on eBay is your best bet – it’s where I got mine.

Unchanged but Still Impressive Tough Features

The TG-7 retains the almost legendary durability of the series:

Waterproof to 15m (extendable to 45m with the PT-059 underwater case)
Shockproof from 2.1m drops
Crushproof up to 100kg
Freezeproof down to -10°C

It also keeps the fantastic macro mode, focus stacking, and bracketing – features that make this camera a favorite among outdoor and macro photographers. If you’ve never tried using macro mode you really should!

Performance & Handling

I’ve been using this for quite a while now and in daily use, the TG-7 feels just as responsive and enjoyable as the TG-6 ever did. And, of course, you still have that peace of mind that comes with a weatherproof, nearly indestructible camera is unbeatable.

Okay, it’s not truly indestructible but I have put the TG-7 through stuff that would have my cell phone begging for mercy.

RAW Shooting & Software Compatibility

I always shoot in RAW, and while the TG-7’s ORF files weren’t initially supported in DxO PhotoLab, they worked perfectly in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop Beta. DxO now fully supports the TG-7.

Is the TG-7 Worth It Over the TG-6?

Some may argue the upgrades are incremental, but for me, the USB-C, remote compatibility, and refined handling make it a worthwhile step up. Yes, it’s still 12MP and yes, some smartphones boast higher resolutions but can they:

Survive 3ft underwater?
Withstand freezing temps?
Be dropped on rocks almost without a second thought?

Highly recommended for adventurers, hikers, and anyone who needs a reliable, rugged camera that doesn’t compromise on image quality. If you already own a TG-6, the upgrade isn’t particularly urgent but if you’re buying new, the TG-7 is the clear choice.

See It on Amazon

OM System TG-7 Key Features & Specifications

Form Factor
- Compact.
Durability & Build
- Waterproof (up to 15m / 49ft).
- Shockproof (up to 2.1m / 7ft).
- Crushproof (up to 100kgf / 220lbf).
- Freeze-proof (down to -10°C / 14°F), and dustproof (IP6X).
- Anti-fogging: Sealed construction prevents internal fogging.
Image Sensor, Processor, & Stabilization
- Sensor: 12MP (1/2.3″ BSI CMOS) – optimized for low noise and high dynamic range.
- Processor: TruePic VIII (for fast performance and improved image processing).
- Stabilization: Sensor-Shift
Lens & Zoom
- Lens: f/2.0 (wide) – f/4.9 (tele).
- Focal Length: 25-100mm (35mm equivalent).
- Zoom: 4x optical zoom + up to 8x digital zoom.
Screen & Viewfinder
- LCD: Fixed.
- Live view: Yes.
- Screen dots
- Screen size: 3″
- Screen type: LCD
- Touch screen: No.
- Viewfinder: None.
Autofocus
- Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Center
- Continuous
- Face Detection
- Live View
- Multi-area
- Selective single-point
- Single
- Tracking
Photography
- Uncompressed Format: RAW.
- JPEG Quality Levels: Super fine – fine – normal.
- Minimum Shutter Speed: 4 sec.
- Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec.
- Aperture Priority: Yes.
- Shutter Priority: No.
- Manual Exposure: No.
- Built-in Flash: Yes.
  - Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-in, Manual, Off, Red-eye reduction.
- External Flash: No.
- Continuous Drive: 20.0 fps.
- Self-timer: No.
- Metering Modes: Muti, Spot.
- Exposure compensation ±2
- Shooting Modes & Features
  - Underwater Modes: Optimized for snorkeling/scuba.
  - Field Sensors: GPS, manometer (depth gauge), compass, temperature sensor, and accelerometer.
  - Live Composite (for long exposures).
  - Pro Capture (pre-capture buffering).
  - HDR, Panorama, Time-Lapse.
  - Microscope Mode: Magnification up to 1x (35mm equivalent) at 1cm distance (with LED ring light support).
  - Focus Stacking: In-camera focus stacking (up to 10 frames).
Videography
- MPEG-4 H264
  - 3840×2160 (4K)
  - 4096×2160 (C4K)
  - 1920×1080 (FHD)
  - 3840×2160 (4K)
  - 4096×2160 (C4K)
  - 1920×1080 (FHD)
  - 3840×2160 (4K)
  - 4096×2160 (C4K)
  - 1920×1080 (FHD)
  - Microphone: Stereo.
Connectivity
- HDMI: Yes (Micro HDMI).
- Headphone port: No.
- Microphone port: No.
- Remote Control: Yes via smartphone or with OM System RM-WR1 remote.
- USB: USB 2.0
- USB Charging: Yes
- Wireless: Built-In 802.11b/g/n
Battery & Storage
- Battery: LI-92B (approx. 330 shots per charge, CIPA standard).
- Storage: Single Memory Slot – SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported).
Dimensions & Weight
- Dimensions: 113.4 x 66.2 x 32.4 mm.
- Weight: 250g (including battery and memory card).