TG6 to OM-D E-M10 MARK IV?

[Trilobite]

I could probably find the information I need here by selecting threads for ‘this’ and ‘that’. I apologize ahead of time if I missed the thread that would answer all my questions.

I’ve been using my TG6 for several years and get pretty good shots. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do, but I think it’s time to ‘take the next step’. I’m looking at the M10 Mark IV and I’ve got a few questions that are a bit basic but will help with this decision. Btw, today is Saturday and Backscatter (East) is only open Monday-Friday.

• I’m looking at the 60MM lens as it’s supposed to be good (but not the best option) for macro. How does it do with shots of things in the distance - ya know, that shark or manta ray that decides to buzz by?

I made the change from a TG-4 to the EM10 mk iv. The closest you'd get to the flexibility of a TG would be using the EZ 14-42mm zoom lens. You can get both close-ups and fairly wide angle shots with it. You won't be able to get super macro shots within a few inches like the TG-4 though. But you'll have a much larger sensor, so you'll be able to get closer virtually in post processing. I've only used the 60mm above water, but it's equivalent to a 120mm lens on the mk iv, so you won't be able to get full shots of anything big that's close.

• How much of a learning curve will there be, going from the TG6 to the Mark IV? The controls on the back and the functionality appear to be similar to the TG (and that’s what Robin says in the video from Backscatter) - but in real life, does it feel much similar?

It's a pretty simple camera, but not that similar to a TG. Probably the biggest learning curve will be learning to adjust white balance in post processing since the mark iv has no underwater white balance setting.

• The TG’s video is sketchy. The video captured (and as it’s recording) fades in and out here and there. How’s the video on the Mark IV?

Not sure what you are referring to about fading in and out. I think the video is pretty good, but hard to hold the camera still. I mostly shoot stills, so don't have a lot of basis for comparison.

• I’m assuming the ‘set it and forget it’ settings work the same as on the TG (love this feature). Does it really have this feature, and if yes, does it work the same as on the TG? I rely on the C1 and C2 quite a lot.

I forget what C1 and C2 are, but the mk iv has no specific custom modes. It has options for full manual control of shutter speed and aperture, aperture priority, shutter priority, and auto modes, but you can't save specific settings to switch back and forth.

• I see it’s much lighter than some of the higher end cameras without sacrificing a lot of the features of the higher end cameras. Is this true to your experience? Is it fairly light on the boat and carrying on flights?

Yes, that's one of the main reasons I bought it.

• If you have made the switch from the TG do you LOVE it? Is it meh? Worth the money?

I am very happy I made the change; the excellent and larger sensor of the mk iv gives you a lot more flexibility--especially if you shoot raw. You can crop closely and the image doesn't fall apart. Also, much better in low light. It's similar to the sensor in the top of the line Olympus cameras.

• If you got the 60MM, do you wish you’d spent a little more and gotten the 90MM?

I have both lenses and use them above the water. I am glad I got the 90mm for insect macros, but it is much heavier and more expensive, and not really something to consider if you are looking for small and light in an underwater camera.

• I’m thinking of getting the Backscatter octopus design housing that has the vacuum seal. If you have that housing (with or without the octo design), how do you like the vacuum seal? Has it saved your camera on dives when you didn’t realize you had a leak?

The internal vacuum system has worked flawlessly for me and has probably prevented accidents when I forget to properly seal things before I go in the water.

Thanks in advance. It’s a lot of money for a camera - but appears to be a lot of camera/rig for the money. I want to spend my camera dollars wisely.

Here is a review of the EM10 mk iv I wrote after my first trip with it (see post 7 in the thread): Review - Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV Underwater Camera & Housing

Jim

 

[Kimela]

I made the change from a TG-4 to the EM10 mk iv. The closest you'd get to the flexibility of a TG would be using the EZ 14-42mm zoom lens. You can get both close-ups and fairly wide angle shots with it. You won't be able to get super macro shots within a few inches like the TG-4 though. But you'll have a much larger sensor, so you'll be able to get closer virtually in post processing. I've only used the 60mm above water, but it's equivalent to a 120mm lens on the mk iv, so you won't be able to get full shots of anything big that's close.

It's a pretty simple camera, but not that similar to a TG. Probably the biggest learning curve will be learning to adjust white balance in post processing since the mark iv has no underwater white balance setting.

Not sure what you are referring to about fading in and out. I think the video is pretty good, but hard to hold the camera still. I mostly shoot stills, so don't have a lot of basis for comparison.

I forget what C1 and C2 are, but the mk iv has no specific custom modes. It has options for full manual control of shutter speed and aperture, aperture priority, shutter priority, and auto modes, but you can't save specific settings to switch back and forth.

Yes, that's one of the main reasons I bought it.

I am very happy I made the change; the excellent and larger sensor of the mk iv gives you a lot more flexibility--especially if you shoot raw. You can crop closely and the image doesn't fall apart. Also, much better in low light. It's similar to the sensor in the top of the line Olympus cameras.

I have both lenses and use them above the water. I am glad I got the 90mm for insect macros, but it is much heavier and more expensive, and not really something to consider if you are looking for small and light in an underwater camera.

The internal vacuum system has worked flawlessly for me and has probably prevented accidents when I forget to properly seal things before I go in the water.

Here is a review of the EM10 mk iv I wrote after my first trip with it (see post 7 in the thread): Review - Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV Underwater Camera & Housing

Jim

This is great info, thanks! The ‘fading in and out’ I’m referring to is that the image gets blurry, then clear, then blurry, then clear. It’s a known issue with TGs - I have a friend who got rid of her TG because she does a lot of video.

I did some research and I don’t believe there is a C1/C2 feature to ‘set it and forget it’. I thought I saw there is a way to set the white balance on the go. I’m not great with post processing - but maybe it’s time I learn how to use some software. It’s fantastic just to know that I can crop images without them ‘falling apart’. Some of my TG pics are good, but I took a pic of a sheep on our Philippines trip that I know a Mark IV could have gotten a good shot of - mine is pretty pitiful (and I was still very excited to have seen it!).

I had read that this camera does better in low light and am happy to hear that’s your experience as well.

I have flooded a few cameras - not expensive ones, thank goodness - but it’s a sinking feeling when it happens. All it takes is a hair or a string or in my case, a thin camera strap. Ugh.

I can’t figure out how to include videos here, so below are two pics from the same video. It’s pretty clear until, for no reason, it becomes blurry - and then clear again. If it only happened to me I wouldn’t mention it, but others have reported the same issue.

Now I’ll go read your review. Again, thanks so much!

 

[d^2b]

That looks like a a continuous autofocus issue to me. Maybe you can find a comparison of TG vs EM10.iv continuous autofocus.

At the risk of sounding like a camera salesperson, that's one of the problems PDAF is supposed to help with.

 

[d^2b]

Just a head's up: if you do want to use the 60mm with the backscatter em10-iv case, you'll need to buy either an extension ring or a new port. The housing is made by AOI, and you can find a port chart on the AOI site.

If buying a new lens and a new port, I'd consider the 30mm macro and FLP-04 to keep the total package small. Alternatively you could pick up the FLP-02 and use both the 60mm and the 12-50 zoom. The latter is a bit nicer image quality than the 14-42 (at least compared to the non-EZ version I compared with), and probably more importantly 12mm at the wide end is noticable wider than 14mm. I had pretty good luck with an wet closeup lens on the 12-50, so I guess one "do everything" option would be FLP-02 + 12-50 + close-up diopter. You can also put the 12-50 into macro mode, but the AOI ports don't let you switch during a dive, so I never did that.

 

[Trilobite]

This is great info, thanks! The ‘fading in and out’ I’m referring to is that the image gets blurry, then clear, then blurry, then clear. It’s a known issue with TGs - I have a friend who got rid of her TG because she does a lot of video.

I haven't noticed that with the mk iv.

 

[Trilobite]

Just a head's up: if you do want to use the 60mm with the backscatter em10-iv case, you'll need to buy either an extension ring or a new port. The housing is made by AOI, and you can find a port chart on the AOI site.

If buying a new lens and a new port, I'd consider the 30mm macro and FLP-04 to keep the total package small. Alternatively you could pick up the FLP-02 and use both the 60mm and the 12-50 zoom. The latter is a bit nicer image quality than the 14-42 (at least compared to the non-EZ version I compared with), and probably more importantly 12mm at the wide end is noticable wider than 14mm. I had pretty good luck with an wet closeup lens on the 12-50, so I guess one "do everything" option would be FLP-02 + 12-50 + close-up diopter. You can also put the 12-50 into macro mode, but the AOI ports don't let you switch during a dive, so I never did that.

I considered alternative lenses, but the EZ14-42 is by far the lightest and least bulky option, especially considering the other options require additional ports. The EZ version is a different lens and gets good reviews as a lens--not super sharp, but good. Minimum focus is said to be 7.87 inches.

 

[Wobbegong_th]

60mm macro is good for Macro to Supermacro subject. However, it's too narrow for any 'big stuff', even fish of 1-foot-ish size. Also I'd say the new 90mm macro lens would be an overkill due to its size and price

I cannot recommend anything about the port - I'm using different housing brand (Ikelite) and Camera (EM5III).

What I can say is changing from TG setup to DSLR(mirrorless) setup would means that you'd have to also invest in external light source, either strobe or constant light (video light). Also, you'd loss the lens flexibility as in TG series. You'd either choose Wide Angle or Macro before you'd get in the water. There are some wide angle lens that is quite good for Macro, but if use with Dome port, you'd not be able to add dioptor or the dome will get in the way.

There are news that OM-System is about to release some new camera. I have a feeling that it would be the EM10 equivalent under the new name series (OM-10, maybe). if you're not in rush, may be wait and see.

 

[Blackcrusader]

• The TG’s video is sketchy. The video captured (and as it’s recording) fades in and out here and there.

Did you know you can stop this?

 

[Blackcrusader]

Not sure what you are referring to about fading in and out. I think the video is pretty good, but hard to hold the camera still. I mostly shoot stills, so don't have a lot of basis for comparison.


Jim

This is why I made my own DIY tray with two handles. The flat try glides in the water and the handles allow me to keep the camera steady. Plus I can set the whole rig down and let it record.

 

[Blackcrusader]

This is great info, thanks! The ‘fading in and out’ I’m referring to is that the image gets blurry, then clear, then blurry, then clear. It’s a known issue with TGs - I have a friend who got rid of her TG because she does a lot of video.

Why do people buy a camera and not learn how to use it properly? Then sell it claiming it has an issue when the issue is the operator.

To prevent your Olympus TG-6 video from going in and out of focus, switch to manual focus mode instead of relying on autofocus, especially when filming moving subjects; you can also try using a focus lock feature if available, and ensure sufficient lighting to help the camera focus accurately, particularly in challenging conditions like underwater or low light.

I do agree the battery performance level for video is not always enough if doing 4K video. Need to change the battery every dive for this.