Last update 28 September’09 – Review @ About.com
Olympus Stylus Tough-6000 announced January 7, 2009 is a dual image stabilization (combines mechanical and digital image stabilization) 10 megapixel shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, and dustproof compact digital camera.
Other features include 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm), high angle viewing 2.7 inch HyperCrystal III LCD, TAP control menus, advanced face detection tracks up to 16 faces, xD-Picture Card and microSD Card compatible, camera dimension are 3.8″W x 2.5″H x 0.88″D (95.3mm x 63.4mm x 22.4mm)
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Review Index – (updated 28 September’09)
About.com
“During my Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 review, I found a sturdy camera that offers an easy to use interface for beginning photographers. However, I didn’t quite like the Stylus Tough 6000 as much as its big brother, the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000. “
Rating: 
Hardware Secrets
“Picture quality is good. The screen is fantastic in bright sunlight. And the waterproof and shockproof qualities live up to their hype. The tap function works quite well making the camera good for cold weather or underwater photography. The camera is good-looking and easily pocketable.”
Imaging Resource
“Our big complaint with it, though, was its sluggish performance. Shutter lag and shot to shot times were very slow, making it poorly suited for any kind of action shooting. Given that a camera as rugged as the Olympus 6000 invites use in all sorts of active settings, we find it hard to recommend for the active life it seems designed for. If you can afford the roughly $80-90 difference in street price, the Olympus 8000 offers higher resolution, better shutter response and cycle time, and is even tougher and more waterproof than the Stylus Tough 6000; a better camera all around.”
NotRated –
DigitalCameraReview
“At the end of the day, the Tough-6000 – which impressed us so much early on – left us feeling just a little disappointment after a month of testing. Maybe our expectations were too high. Regardless, it’s a stylish, impressively solid little camera that handles itself well in the great outdoors. But for all of its adventure-photo advantages, the Tough-6000 is just a little too rough – or perhaps a little too tough – around the edges to be the all-in-one, general use answer we were hoping for.”
Neocamera
“There are very few cameras like this but if you do not consider all these characteristics to be important, it is fairly easy to find a better ultra-compact. If you do give importance to these, then the Tough 6000 holds its own quite well.”
Pocket-lint
“With a price to match your average 10-megapixel compact camera, the Olympus Mju Tough-6000 offers a good rugged approach without trying to sting you for it. That rugged approach lives up to its name, giving you a camera that you can happily give to the kids or take to the beach without the fear of breaking it.”
Rating: 
GoodGearGuide
“There’s not much that we don’t like about the Tough 6000. In fact, we think it’s a lovely ruggedised camera for anyone with an adventurous bone in their body. Its picture quality is as good as the 12-megapixel Tough 8000, if not a little better. It’s also $100 cheaper than the Tough 8000, but it can’t go as deep or withstand as much force.
Rating: 
DPInterface
“With many handy features and scene modes, the Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 aka Mju Tough 6000 is a decent point-and-shoot, rugged camera that I can recommend, with reservations. Why? The Stylus Tough 6000 isn’t the best camera in town – there are other rugged cameras with HD movie modes, better battery life, faster performance and better image quality.”
Cameras.co.uk
“I like this camera. Obviously its main attraction is the fact it is waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, but it also takes a decent snapshot and is easy to use. If you are looking for a family camera knowing it might get the odd knock then this is well worth a look.”
Rating:
CNET Asia
“The Olympus mju Tough-6000 isn’t some testosterone-pumped freak of a camera. It’s a perfectly normal-looking, though stylish, pocket-sized compact that just happens to be able to survive extraordinary amounts of abuse. The picture quality is good rather than great, but, apart from that, it’s a tempting buy for outdoor types.”
Rating:
Steves Digicams
“With the durability of the camera, there are no worries of children handling it. Performance and quality are ok, but the camera makes up for these with its unmatched versatility. With a MSRP of US$299, this is a great choice for people that want to document their adventures without the risk of breaking the camera from small bumps and accidents.”
DPExpert
“If we were in the market for an indestructible compact camera we would wait to see what Canon and Panasonic have to offer. We have tried a pre-production Panasonic unit and were satisfied with the results. As for the Beauty setting on the Olympus – we tried it on a plain person and it didn’t help. It simply blurs skin detail while keeping eyes and hair reasonably sharp. File under G for Gimmick along with Smile Detection.”
]Sample Photos
[Sample Test Photos @ Imaging Resource]
[Sample Test Photos @ Neocamera]
[Sample Test Photos @ Pocket-lint]
[Sample Test Photos @ DPInterface]
[Sample Test Photos @ Camera Labs]
[Sample Photos @ Steves Digicams]
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Press Excerpt
London, 7 January 2009 – Olympus’ unique range of waterproof, shockproof and freeze proof TOUGH cameras has grown with the addition of the 12 Megapixel µ TOUGH-8000 and the 10 Megapixel µ TOUGH-6000. Both models feature 3.6x wide zoom lenses, great for taking awesome wide-angle photos of rugged terrain and for zooming in on the distant bits that you can’t get to! Blur caused by camera shake is virtually eradicated on the two new TOUGHS, thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation and, as both cameras feature TAP Control, they can be operated by simply tapping on their casings – very handy if you’re wearing ski gloves. The µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 let you take extremely good photos in extreme conditions, and enjoy the experience.
The new top-of-the-range µ TOUGH-8000, is hard as nails and perfect for those who want to push things to their limits. It’s waterproof to 10m***, shockproof to falls from up to 2m**, freezeproof down to temperatures as low as -10°C and crushproof to weights of up to 100kg****. Fellow newcomer, the µ TOUGH-6000 is no wimp either. As well as being freezeproof, this model is waterproof to 3m*** and impervious to drops from up to 1.5m**.
Both models inherit the versatile 3.6x wide optical zoom first seen on the EISA Award winning Olympus µ 1030 SW. Starting at 28mm* wide-angle, fantastic for landscapes and architectural photos, this lens zooms up to a useful 102mm*, which is ideal for concentrating on more distant subjects. And Dual Image Stabilisation significantly reduces image blur caused by camera shake, even when the µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 are being used in challenging situations, such as being buffeted by the waves.
Being tough doesn’t mean that the new models aren’t sensitive. The µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 are packed with features that make beautiful photos a cert. And, with 12 and 10 Megapixels resolution respectively, results can be enlarged as big as you wish. Capable of recognising up to 3 faces, the µ TOUGH-8000’s Face Detection Technology guarantees that human subjects are always perfectly focused and exposed. The µ TOUGH-6000, which boasts Advanced Face Detection Technology, goes one better and can detect up to 16 faces. It also has a handy Smile Shot feature which automatically takes the picture as soon as the subject smiles and, for even happier results, Beauty Mode can retouch their skin as the shot is being taken, removing lines and wrinkles for a smooth glowing complexion.
To further improve picture quality Shadow Adjustment Technology has been included to boost shadow detail that would otherwise be lost. And for the ultimate in photography convenience, Intelligent Auto Mode analyses the image being photographed and matches it to one of five commonly-used scene modes, automatically selecting the best choice.
As an alternative to the intuitive on-screen menus displayed on their 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD screens, the µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 also feature Tap Control. This allows fast access to a range of settings simply by tapping the camera body – even when wearing gloves, such as when skiing.
The µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 are waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, and available in a range of great colours – so picking the right one might prove tough too! Expect to see them in UK stores in mid-January and early February 2009 respectively.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Very disapointed. Bought from Costco for 1 week trip to Maui. worked fine first 3 days, pix were good, not great. Video is worthless. Camera started to freeze on (couldn’t turn off). Had to take out battery to fix. Then it started to get water leak errors. Camera is suppose to be waterproof to 10 feet. I never dove, just surface snorkeling. It now does not turn on. Should be called Stylus “piece of crap” instead of “tough.”
I am facing the same problem here. after snorkeling I cant turn on the camera in camera or video mode. it keeps giving beeping sound. but i can open it in picture viewing mode. please advice how to solve this!!!