Olympus TG-310 review

Olympus has played a leading role in establishing the ruggedised compact market, first with its SW series and more recently with its ‘Tough’ range of waterproof, shockproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof and generally bombproof compacts.  

The Olympus TG-310 is the latest in the line and sits below its equally new stablemate, the TG-610, as the budget option for thrill-seekers and adventurers looking for a compact camera that can keep up with their lifestyle and survive to tell the tale.

Waterproof to three metres, shockproof to 1.5 metres, and freeze-proof to -15°C, the Olympus TG-310 is very much the kid brother of the Olympus Tough range, with its more expensive siblings able to out-perform it not only in terms of features, but also in terms of toughness.

The TG-610 (£190), for example, is waterproof down to five metres, while the range-topping TG-810 (£240) can dive to 10-metres. Still, if you’re just looking for something to go snorkelling with then the TG-310 remains more than adequate.

Direct competitors to the TG-310 include the Fujifilm XP30 which offers built-in GPS, and the Samsung WP10 which offers waterproofing to three meters.

How well does the TG-310 square up to these? Is it a case of all mouth and no trousers, or is it a genuinely tough little cookie with something extra to offer. Lets take a closer look and find out.