Olympus Stylus Tough 6020

Manual Controls

There is no full manual mode on the Tough 6020, which means there is no way to directly set the shutter speed or aperture.

Focus

The Tough 6020 uses a contrast detection auto focus system that we found to be generally quite responsive in our limited testing at the PMA show. There are three focus modes: Face/iESP, Spot and AF tracking. In face mode, the camera detects faces in the frame and works to keep them in focus. In spot mode, the camera focuses on whatever is in the center of the frame. In AF tracking, the camera focuses initially on the object in the center of the frame, but then tries to keep track of the object as it moves.

Several macro modes are also offered, including a super macro mode that uses the LED illuminator to throw some light on the subject. In the super macro mode,  the camera can focus to a closest distance of1.2 inches from the front of the camera: close enough to get a good view of a small object.

ISO

The ISO range of this camera goes from 80 to 1600: a decent range. In addition, there are two auto ISO modes: the standard ISO auto and  High ISO auto (which uses the higher ISO settings where required). 

White Balance

The usual presets for white balance are offered, including three fluorescent presets and three settings for underwater white balance. In addition, there is an automatic mode, but no evaluative mode. 

Metering

Only two metering modes are offered on this camera: an evaluative mode and a spot metering mode. Many other cameras offer a center weighted mode, but the absence of this shouldn't be a big problem for most users. 

Shutter Speed

The shutter speed range of this camera is from 1/4 seconds down to 1/2000 of a second. in most modes (the night mode extends this out to 4 seconds). That's a wide enough range for most uses, but some might find the maximum of 4 seconds rather limiting for night shots.

Aperture

The aperture range of this camera is a little limited: the widest setting at the wide angle of the zoom is f/3.9, or  f/5.9 at the telephoto end. 

Image Stabilization

This camera has what the company refers to as dual image stabilization: it includes both an sensor shift stabilization system that moves the sensor to compensate for camera shake and an electronic system that increases the shutter speed to minimize camera shake.

Picture Quality & Size Options

10 image size options are offered, ranging from the full 14 megapixel, 4388 by 4316 pixel resolution of the camera down to 640 by 480. In addition, two image size options are offered that use a 16:9 aspect ratio. Two options are offered for the image compression: high and normal. there is no option on offer for saving RAW images, which contain the raw data captured by the image sensor.  

Picture Effects

This camera does offer a number of picture effects which produce unusual effects in images. The Magic Filter shooting mode allows you to show 5 effects: pop art, pinhole, fish eye and drawing. These effects are pretty self explanatory.