Re: Gta Vice City Pc Cannot Find 640x480 Video Mode
Vanina Mazzillo
Olympus was one of the pioneers of 'rugged' cameras, and its latest flagship, the Tough TG-2 iHS, is one of its best. The TG-2 is able to take a beating, whether it's underwater (up to 15 meters), dropped (from to 2.1 meters), frozen (as cold as -10C), or crushed (up to 100 kg). In other words, this is a camera you can feel comfortable taking outdoors. We had one incident of condensation build-up inside the lens - moisture got in there somehow - but we couldn't replicate the problem during our extended shooting.
The TG-2's other big claim to fame is its lens, which has a maximum aperture range of F2.0-4.9. At wide-angle, that's at least a full stop faster than most of the competition. Since more light is coming in, you can use faster shutter speeds, and won't need to crank up the sensitivity as quickly. However, the lens' maximum aperture at the telephoto end is less impressive, and more in-line with the competition. The TG-2 is also unique in that it supports telephoto and fish-eye conversion lenses - and yes, they're waterproof too.
The camera hasa LED illuminator, which serves as an AF-assist lamp, video lamp, and flashlight. Another neat trick the TG-2 can perform is controlling an Olympus external flash wirelessly, via the company's RC flash system. Speaking of flashes, the one built into the TG-2 is on the weak side, which requires considerably increasing the sensitivity. Photos are composed on the TG-2's 3-inch OLED display. This display looks great indoors, with 610k dots, vivid colors, and a wide viewing angle. However, once outdoors (or underwater), visibility is very poor, even with the brightness turned all the way up. Not exactly what you'd want on a camera made to be out in the elements.
The TG-2 has the usual features that you'll find on most point-and-shoot cameras. They include an 'Intelligent' auto mode, special effects ('Magic Filters'), and a large selection of scene modes (cat mode, anyone?). There are three ways to create panoramic images (two of them are stitched together right on the camera), and the results are satisfying. Olympus has taken things a step further on the TG-2, providing an aperture priority mode to go along with all those auto modes. While the Av mode isn't perfect, as it only gives you three choices at any given focal length, it's more than you'll find on other compact cameras and can prevent overexposure in exceptionally bright conditions (as well as allowing you to use long shutter speeds for light-trails, waterfalls etc).
Another big draw on the TG-2 is its elaborate GPS system. In addition to locating you, the camera will tell you your altitude or depth (using a manometer instead of the usual GPS method) as well as which direction you're facing. There's also a database of landmarks, though it's not very 'deep', and if the camera picks the wrong landmark, the only thing you can do is choose another, as there's no way to remove that tag. One interesting use of the landmark database is to display a sort of compass on the display, showing various destinations in the vicinity. In other words, the TG-2 can literally guide you to landmarks. The camera also has a map view, though the scale of the map makes it essentially pointless.
You won't do a lot of waiting on the Olympus TG-2. It starts up in less than a second, focuses extremely quickly (even in low light), and has minimal delays between shots. In continuous shooting mode, the TG-2 can take up to one hundred images at over 5 frames/second. If you're in an open area (and have used the GPS-A function), the camera can locate itself in just fifteen seconds (though you won't be so lucky in the big city). The TG-2's battery life number of 350 shots per charge (without the battery-sucking GPS turned on) is excellent for a compact camera.
Photo quality isn't fantastic on the TG-2, but it's more than good enough for purpose and target audience. While the camera exposes accurately, like most compacts it tends to clip highlights. Colors have a vivid look that has become a trademark of Olympus cameras. Photos are a little soft, but your favorite photo editor can take care of that. Underwater, we were very pleased that there were no color casts to be found, unlike most of the competition. At low ISOs you'll find both luminance noise and detail smudging, though that's par for the course on compacts. Photos taken at sensitivities as high as ISO 800 are usable for most purposes, with the two highest settings saved for desperation only. Occasional CA can be a problem, around high-contrast edges, but in normal shooting it isn't a big issue.
Overall, we really enjoyed our time with the Olympus Tough TG-2. It's very solidly built, performs well, has lots of bells-and-whistles, and produces satisfying images for nearly all purposes. The only things that keep this rugged camera from earning a gold award are its weak flash and poor visibility, and we hope Olympus addresses both of those on the next TG-series model.
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I recently got a Sealife SL961 underwater digital pro strobe to try out with the TG-2, and it seems to be synching up all right. I found the manual wasn't particularly clear on what settings to chose though. What eventually worked for me was the following:
1. TG-2 set-up menu --> accessory settings -->remote flash
2. TG-2 flash option "fill in"
3. SL961 preflash setting "2"
4. SL961 auto bright "1"
Hello,
i want to buy this camera, but i'm a little concern about visibility of display in direct sunlight. Could you please tell me how bad is it? Is it only bad visibility and usable, or really not usable? I need to buy a cammera really quick, becouse of a trip, so if you can, please respond quick. Thank you very much!
This camera is full of lies, water easily can get inside this unit within in just 2 meters below the water, at first I thought that I just got a bad batch, but a month after a friend of mine with the same unit also experience the same thing, just a waste of money.
I have had this camera a year now and use it in my pool a lot! I have used it underwater to about 6 feet with no trouble at all. No leakage and the quality of the images is wonderful. Maybe someone forgot to lock the compartments before using it in the water?
Why do all you reviewers not tell the truth. That is, you cannot see the LCD screen when in sunlight. This simple truth that the reviewers are well aware of makes these rugged cameras a dismal failure. Spew out all the specs and image quality blah blah blah but ignore thw fact that not only does the user have to point and hope, they also can not change any settings because they cant read the screen in daylight. I own a brand new Olympus TG2 and it is unusable because of this
"While the TG-2's OLED display looks beautiful indoors, outdoor performance was lacking. It's nearly impossible to use in bright light, even with brightness cranked to the maximum setting. It was also very difficult to use when snorkeling."
"This display looks great indoors, with 610k dots, vivid colors, and a wide viewing angle. However, once outdoors (or underwater), visibility is very poor, even with the brightness turned all the way up. Not exactly what you'd want on a camera made to be out in the elements."
Okay, you have got me right between the eyes, I apologise. I have read many many reviews from "respected" places.I think I lumped them all together. I honestly donot remember reading the above but I think my argument stands up.BUT NOT FOR YOU.
After buying the camera, my young daughter went on a school overseas trip to New Zealand and came back utterly dissapointed.
I believe it is so unusable these companies should be found in breach of some law because they are marketing a product that does not do what they advertise or imply.
I also believe reviews should make this clear in the strongest possible manner.
Once again I would like to apologise. I would ponder though how the camera recieved a Silver award.
Thankyou for responding, you have won a supporter and my trust.
I would still maintain this though. I, and my family cannot use this camera in sunny daylight. I will contend that reviews should state. "It is unusable in bright daylight" Donot buy it unless you try it first.
There are many people who agree about the total absurdity of relying on a screen (rather than a VF) to try to take pictures. But there seems to be no solution, as the manufacturers persist in making them. There are even interchangeable lens camera that lack VFs (many of the NEX series; many Olympus cameras, the Nikon 1AW1, etc.). I have had to pass on otherwise good cameras due to this "point and guess" feature.
One problem is that many users claim that they have no trouble seeing the screen, no matter what the conditions. They claim that it's a matter of good or bad eyesight. I personally think this is rubbish. But it's what we're stuck with.
I would love to see review sites begin by listing main features *lacking* in a camera being reviewed. Sort of an advance warning. My list would include VF, 60p video, RAW, burst of at least 5fps, burst depth sufficient for at least 4 seconds at whatever rate. Many reviewers act as if these features don't matter.
The TG2 was ok.
I own one and I'm happy with the results.
What your young daughter wanted was an Iphone that will make her look hip & cool, instead of a...camera.
Remember the day when WHAT you needed was roller blades or a roller board instead of a...stupid bicycle?