Discount of $50 on durable, waterproof, and rugged pocket cameras with powerful zoom capabilities, ideal for your outdoor escapades
Two rugged cameras have emerged as reliable choices for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts: the Ricoh Pentax WG-8 and the OM System Tough TG-7. While both cameras share a common purpose, they differ significantly in their specifications and ruggedness features.
Ricoh Pentax WG-8
The Ricoh Pentax WG-8 is a tough, budget-friendly camera designed for extreme conditions. It offers a 20MP sensor and 4K video capabilities, making it suitable for underwater and macro shots. The camera is built to withstand water, dust, drops, and freezing temperatures, making it truly adventure-proof.
The Ricoh Pentax WG-8 features a 5x optical zoom (approx. 28-140mm in 35mm terms), allowing for versatile shooting options. It also offers a rugged and adventure-ready design at a budget price.
At the time of writing, the Ricoh Pentax WG-8 in black is available at a discounted price of $346.95 at B&H Photo, a savings of $50 from its original price of $396.95.
OM System Tough TG-7
The OM System Tough TG-7 is an ultra-rugged, waterproof camera built for any adventure. It boasts a 12MP sensor, fast burst shooting, and excellent macro modes, making it ideal for extreme conditions. The camera performs well in underwater and macro photography, and it shoots 4k video at 30fps.
The OM System Tough TG-7 has a 4x optical zoom (approx. 25-100mm in 35mm terms), providing a decent range for various shooting scenarios. The camera is waterproof up to 147 ft (45 m), freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C), shockproof from drops up to 6.9 ft (2.1 m), and crushproof up to 220 lbs (100 kg).
In addition to its ruggedness, the OM System Tough TG-7 features a Full Field Sensor System with GPS, temperature, altitude, water depth, and direction logging. This makes it a versatile point and shoot camera for travelers who want to capture their adventures in detail.
At the time of writing, the OM System Tough TG-7 in black is available at a discounted price of $499.99 at B&H Photo, a savings of $50 from its original price of $549.99.
Comparison
| Feature | Ricoh Pentax WG-8 | OM System Tough TG-7 | |------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Waterproof Depth | Suitable for underwater use; specific depth not listed, but designed for rugged use including water exposure[5] | Waterproof up to 147 ft (45 m)[1][2] | | Freezeproof | Not specifically noted for freezeproof capabilities | Freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C)[1][2] | | Shockproof | Shockproof; specific drop height not listed | Shockproof drop from up to 6.9 ft (2.1 m)[1][2] | | Crushproof | Not specifically mentioned | Crushproof up to 220 lbs (100 kg)[1][2] | | Sensor Resolution | 20 megapixels | 12 megapixels[1][2] | | Image Quality | Good for underwater and macro photography; 4K video support[5] | Excellent optics, fast autofocus, 4K video[1][2] | | Macro Capability | Designed with macro features | Advanced micro and macro features[1] | | Video Capabilities | 4K video | 4K video with additional vertical video mode[1][2] | | Connectivity | Not specifically listed | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled for easy sharing[1][2] | | Additional Features | Rugged and adventure-ready at a budget price[5] | Full Field Sensor System with GPS, temperature, altitude, water depth, and direction logging[2] | | Weight | Not specified | 8.8 oz (around 250 grams)[1] | | Battery Life | Not specified | Approximately 330 shots per charge[1] |
Summary
The OM System Tough TG-7 excels in extreme ruggedness (deeper waterproof rating at 147 ft, crushproof, freezeproof, shockproof), with advanced features including GPS and environmental sensor logging, excellent macro and micro shooting capabilities, and reliable 4K video quality. It's suitable for professional use and very demanding outdoor conditions[1][2].
The Ricoh Pentax WG-8 offers a higher-resolution 20MP sensor and 4K video, designed for rugged outdoor use with good underwater and macro capabilities but is positioned more as a budget-friendly, adventure-ready camera without the extreme ruggedness specs or sensor array of the TG-7[5].
Both cameras are well-suited for underwater and macro photography, but the TG-7 emphasizes extreme durability and environmental data features, while the WG-8 offers higher megapixels and competitive 4K video at a lower price point.
[1] - OM System Tough TG-7 Product Specifications [2] - OM System Tough TG-7 User Manual [3] - OM System Tough TG-7 Review by DPReview [4] - Ricoh Pentax WG-8 Product Specifications [5] - Ricoh Pentax WG-8 Review by DPReview
