CES 2013: Olympus goes extreme with three new rugged cameras

At CES this year, most camera makers are unveiling new rugged and/or waterproof models—but Olympus has been among the most aggressive, by offering no less than three of these cameras.

The most interesting is the 12-megapixel Stylus Tough TG-2 iHS ($380), which can withstand immersion in 50 feet of water and can survive a 6.6-foot drop. Olympus says it's also freeze-proof and crush-proof.

The TG-2 also has a new microscopic macro function for close-up photos and a 4x optical zoom, and it can fire off five frames per second in burst mode. It shoots 1080p full-HD video (1920x1080 pixels) and has a 3-inch OLED display.

The other two Stylus Tough models, which both include 5x optical zooms and 3-inch displays, are the 16-megapixel Stylus Tough TG-830 iHS ($280), which can withstand immersion in 33 feet of water and can survive a 7 foot drop, and the 12-megapixel Stylus Tough TG-630 iHS ($200), which can withstand immersion in 16 feet of water and can survive a 5.5 foot drop. Olympus says these Tough models are also freeze- and crush-proof.

All three rugged cameras will be available in March.

Check our full coverage of the Consumer Electronics Show.

—Terry Sullivan