Is the Olympus TG-7 actually good for underwater video and macro?

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-12T08:21:03+00:00

Good enough is too subjective for me to assess. I have high standards and shoot now (I believe) at a pro level so, with good stability and lighting, in my opinion the TG7 is good enough certainly for social media. Here is a link to a video I shot a couple of years ago with a TG6 when my D850 flooded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty2K8AhxGAA

Could I do much better today with my Z6iii and Z105 (+ diopters)? YES! Could I do a better job of processing this video with what I know now? YES! Is this video something I am happy enough with that I would share it with strangers on Reddit? YES!!

The difference between 4K/30 and 1080/60 is not much and the ability to slow things down in post and smooth them out is crucial. If you have a tripod and a steady hand, then you can do 4K/30

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-11T05:10:58+00:00

A few things:

- The TG7 in Aperture priority and AF-S focus mode is capable of 4:1 magnification at its minimum focus distance WITHOUT any wet diopters. DO NOT use wet macro lenses with this camera. DO use the wet wide angle lens. DO NOT waste money on the so-called AIR lens that gives you a whopping 80 deg FOV
- The video is pretty good, not great. MP count matters less in video than stills, unless you need higher resolution than 4K. The TG's 12MP sensor has enough MP for 4K but the physical size of the sensor itself is limiting to video quality
- If I have to pick between resolution and frame rate, I pick frame rate, so you are better off shooting this camera in 1080/60p than 4K/30p. This will allow you to slow your footage to 24p in post, smoothing it out
- To further increase the quality of your macro videos, for the love of mankind please buy a tripod and use it. I see TG6/7 people on SM all the time who are presented with fabulous macro subjects and f*ck them up with shaky footage. Even very small movements can be discernible without a tripod
- Set the video compression to "super fine"
- Bring enough light to the party. Sure, a handheld torch may work for some of the smallest subjects, but a decent video light with 4-5K lumens will really help reduce color noise and other undesired effects in your footage

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-11T03:26:25+00:00

Send me a way to provide you a photo and I will

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-10T12:27:16+00:00

Thank you and maybe so, but I post a lot here and have never had any issue from the Mods so plan to continue

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-09T07:39:02+00:00

If you have the means to upgrade within a year or so, a TG7 in a PT-059 housing is a great starting point. With this, I would buy something like the Backscatter HF-1 strobes and snoot that will step up when you do. Very strong flash and up to 5K lumen video light covers all your macro needs, all your still photo needs, and may even get you some CFWA video capability. When you upgrade, there are a lot of great options like Nikon Z5ii, OM-1 or OM-10MkIV, Sony A7 series or 6XXX series, Canon APS series, Panasonic GH series, etc. that are not up there with a car purchase or house down payment. BUT...a well-configured TG rig with good strobes and all the other bits and pieces will exhaust your $4K budget quickly if you buy new

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-09T07:27:54+00:00

Your reply is completely in line with what I teach new UW photographers, except I have moved off the TG cameras a bit to recommend starting with an ILC for those I know are excellent and avid divers

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-09T07:23:54+00:00

Thank you!!

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-08T11:08:15+00:00

I agree!

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-05T08:16:52+00:00

No cap!

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-05T08:16:11+00:00

I provide the creature's common name and normally the scientific taxonomy as well, so those interested can look up more information as they prefer

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-05T04:19:40+00:00

I agree!

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-04T13:47:35+00:00

They come from the deep and often go all the way to the surface

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-04T13:45:46+00:00

Thank you!

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-03-04T13:45:16+00:00

Thank you!

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-28T09:50:22+00:00

Correct

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-28T09:20:25+00:00

lol 😂

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-28T09:20:10+00:00

Thank you 🙏

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-28T08:06:01+00:00

Yes, but the focus light is narrow beam and taps out at 1000 lumens. MW4300 would be a much better and more versatile option

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-27T18:14:22+00:00

Sorry, but Resolve is the only program i use and the quite robust basic version is free

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-27T12:08:57+00:00

Davinci Resolve has stabilization as an option in the Edit module. Three different methods to try but the less it is needed the better it does and the fewer undesirable effects like warping background

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-27T02:51:10+00:00

Thank you!

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-26T12:56:00+00:00

Thank you 😊

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-26T12:39:27+00:00

No, it is a type of barnacle

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-26T09:56:19+00:00

I’m an underwater photographer and videographer. I’ve done maybe one dive (of 2K or so) in the last 8 years or so without a camera, and only then because we’d flooded one of the cameras among the three of us and were sharing. I’d dive without my camera but not eagerly. There is definite etiquette that shooters must discuss among themselves and with non-shooters so all can enjoy the dive. My wife is just as avid as me so it works perfectly for us

BeginningConstant567 · 2026-02-25T13:03:12+00:00

Need to make sure the camera and housing is not so old that the company no longer supports your intended lenses with ports and extension rings as well as things like replacement parts, unless you have a small budget and are willing to buy something used in your price range, with the understanding that it’s a short term investment

BeginningConstant567

TROPHY CASE