Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870: Which Ultracompact Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

Choosing the right ultracompact camera can be surprisingly tricky - especially when two models come from respected brands, each bringing distinct features to the table. Today, I want to dive deep into an insightful comparison between two compelling contenders: the Canon ELPH 300 HS (aka IXUS 220 HS) and the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870. I've personally tested a wide range of compact cameras, and these two, despite sharing an ultracompact form factor, cater to quite different needs. Whether you're a casual snapshooter or a seasoned enthusiast craving rugged versatility, this detailed walkthrough will help you find your best fit.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Design, and Ergonomics

Starting with the physical traits, both cameras undoubtedly aim for pocketable convenience. The Canon ELPH 300 HS is sleeker and lighter at 141 grams and dimensions of 92x56x20 mm, embodying that classic slim ultracompact feel. In contrast, the Olympus TG-870 is chunkier at 221 grams and 113x64x28 mm, reflecting its rugged design intended for more adventurous users.

Looking at their body designs from above (see the top view below), you’ll notice Canon’s minimalistic layout with straightforward controls on a flat top plate, while the Olympus packs more chunky buttons with textured grips for secure handling during active shooting.

For me, this difference is huge. If you want a camera that slips into a jacket pocket or a messenger bag effortlessly, Canon's ELPH feels less obtrusive. Meanwhile, the Olympus TG-870 offers better grip and durability, feeling more solid in hand - a valuable trait if you tend to shoot outdoors or on the go.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Breakdown

Both cameras use 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensors measuring roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm, which is standard for ultracompacts. However, the Olympus ups the ante with 16 megapixels compared to Canon’s 12 megapixels. Higher resolution can mean better detail - assuming noise control keeps up.

Here’s a quick look at their sensor specs side by side:

In real-world use, I found that the Olympus TG-870’s 16 MP sensor delivers a smoother gradient and retains more fine textures, especially visible when you zoom into landscapes or portraits. The Canon’s 12 MP sensor still produces sharp, clean images but can show more early noise at ISO 800 and above.

But megapixels aren’t everything. Thanks to Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor with iSAPS technology, photo processing is slightly faster, and the image output well-balanced with good color accuracy for skin tones. Olympus relies on its TruePic VII processor, which is newer and handles noise better at high ISOs, extending usable ISO up to 6400 native and 12800 boosted.

The absence of RAW support on both cameras is a limiting factor if you want extensive post-processing flexibility - something worth mentioning early on for enthusiasts.

Viewing and User Interface: Screen and Controls

Let’s talk about how you interact with each camera: The Canon’s 2.7” PureColor II G TFT fixed LCD offers basic resolution (230k dots) and no touchscreen capabilities. It’s usable but feels a bit dated and restrictive when reviewing images.

The Olympus TG-870, on the other hand, boasts a 3.0” tilting LCD with 921k dots - a noticeable upgrade. This screen tilts up or down, facilitating shooting at difficult angles, like low-level macro or overhead shots, a feature I personally depend on. Plus, the higher resolution makes composing and assessing photos far easier.

Both cameras miss out on touchscreens, which nowadays help streamline focus selection and menu navigation. However, Olympus offers live view autofocus with face detection, aiding faster focusing via the LCD, while Canon’s lack of autofocus touch controls leaves more to button presses.

For casual everyday photography, Canon’s screen is sufficient but for versatility and ease of use I prefer Olympus here.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Now, autofocus is king when it comes to capturing important moments, and both models use contrast detection systems focused on speed and accuracy within their ultracompact capabilities.

The Canon ELPH 300 HS features 9 focus points with face detection and continuous autofocus modes. Testing revealed it locks focus reliably in good light, but can lag slightly in lower light or on moving subjects. The continuous shooting rate is 3 fps, which is modest, sufficient for family snapshots but limiting for action.

In contrast, the Olympus TG-870’s autofocus combines center-weighted and multiple points with face detection and tracking, showcasing smoother and faster acquisition in varying conditions. Its burst shooting clocks at 7 fps, more than doubling Canon’s speed, making it a better performer for wildlife or sports-worthy moments.

In street photography scenarios, Olympus also has slight edge due to quicker AF and better live view feedback.

Versatility in Lens and Zoom Capabilities

Both cameras have fixed lenses with approximately 5x optical zoom ranges: Canon offers 24-120mm (35mm equivalent) with a fast aperture starting at F2.7 at the wide end, slowing to F5.9 at telephoto. Olympus covers 21-105mm with apertures from F3.5 to F5.7.

Canon’s wider start is great for indoor and landscape wide-angle shots, while the Olympus starts a bit narrower but extends almost as long telephoto. I noticed Canon’s lens yields slightly better low-light results thanks to faster aperture on the wide end - handy for portraits or interiors.

Neither camera provides interchangeable lenses, of course, but both deliver respectable zoom flexibility for ultracompacts.

Durability and Weather Resistance: The TG-870’s Rugged Advantage

Here’s the real standout difference: The Olympus TG-870 is built tough - waterproof up to 15 meters, crushproof up to 100 kgf, shockproof against 2.1-meter drops, freezeproof to -10°C, and dustproof.

Meanwhile, the Canon ELPH 300 HS lacks any environmental sealing or ruggedness claims. It’s purely a delicate device meant for gentle urban or indoor use.

If your photography involves outdoor adventures, beach trips, or rough handling, Olympus clearly wins here.

Specialized Photography Uses: How Each Camera Shines

Let’s run through how these compact shooters perform across popular photography genres:

Portraits

• Canon ELPH 300 HS: Smooth skin tone rendition, natural colors, and better lens aperture for shallower depth of field on the wide-angle side. Face detection aids focused portraits.
• Olympus TG-870: Also competent with face detection, but smaller aperture and rugged lens limit bokeh quality. Macro close focus at 1cm is a bonus.

Landscapes

• Olympus TG-870’s higher resolution and superior dynamic range (from TruePic VII) capture finer details and more vibrant skies. Weather sealing adds confidence shooting in variable conditions.
• Canon delivers solid, color-accurate landscapes but with lower max resolution and more noise.

Wildlife & Sports

• Olympus’s 7 fps burst and quicker autofocus win here, helping capture fast movement.
• Canon’s 3 fps is limiting; slower AF is a drawback for action.

Street Photography

• Canon is sleeker and more discrete for street scenes.
• Olympus feels bulkier but autofocus responsiveness helps capture fleeting moments.

Macro

• TG-870’s 1cm macro focusing is impressive, giving you detailed close-ups with built-in stabilization to minimize blur.
• Canon’s 3cm macro, while decent, is less flexible for intimate macro work.

Night and Astro

• Olympus’s higher max ISO and better noise suppression allow cleaner night shots.
• Canon maxes at ISO 3200 but introduces noise earlier.

Video Capabilities

Neither camera excels in video, but Olympus offers 1080p at 60fps, better for fluid motion, versus Canon’s 1080p at 24fps, which feels cinematic but less smooth.

Both support optical image stabilization, yet neither supports external microphones or 4K recording, limiting professional video use.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The Olympus TG-870 slightly surpasses Canon here with 300 shots per charge versus Canon’s 220, which translates to longer shooting sessions without swapping batteries.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and include a single storage slot, standard for this category.

Interestingly, Olympus includes built-in GPS and wireless connectivity, useful for geotagging and wireless sharing, absent in the Canon model. Canon’s HDMI and USB 2.0 ports are similar to Olympus.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Performance Ratings

Taking a broader view of overall shootability, image quality, speed, and features, here’s a composite performance snapshot:

And for genre-specific lenses (quite literally, lenses shape the suitability):

These charts emphasize Olympus’s edge in rugged use, speed, and versatility against Canon’s strong suit in compactness and simple image quality.

Real-World Sample Images: See the Difference

To finalize, image quality comparisons across landscapes, portraits, macro, and low-light scenarios reveal nuances both cameras bring to the photographic table.

Canon ELPH 300 HS front Canon ELPH 300 HS screen back Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back

Note the sharper textures and lower noise in Olympus shots, contrast with the warmer color tone and natural rendering of Canon files. Neither is perfect, but the choice depends on your shooting style preferences.

Recommendations for Different User Types

• For Casual and Travel Photographers who value compactness, ease of use, and solid stills, the Canon ELPH 300 HS is a lightweight, affordable companion. It’s perfect for day-to-day snapshots, urban exploration, and social sharing.

• For Outdoor Enthusiasts and Action Shooters, the Olympus TG-870’s rugged body, faster burst shooting, and superior autofocus systems offer peace of mind and more creative control in challenging environments. It’s ideal for hiking, sports, beach days, and macro adventures.

• Budget-conscious Buyers get competitive prices from both, but Olympus’s additional features justify its slightly higher cost if you want that extra versatility.

• Video Hobbyists seeking smooth Full HD clips will find Olympus more suited, although neither camera targets serious video work.

Final Thoughts: Which Pocketable Powerhouse Wins?

Both cameras have strengths grounded in their design philosophy: Canon ELPH 300 HS excels as a convenient, stylish ultracompact perfect for conventional shooting scenarios, while Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 impresses with durability and performance-oriented features.

In essence, if you prioritize portability and portrait-centric shooting, Canon fits the bill. If you want reliability, ruggedness, and versatility outdoors, Olympus is tough to beat.

If only Canon would add ruggedness and a tilting screen! My video review above also addresses these points in more detail (hypothetically, of course). Until then, choose your champion based on where (and how) you shoot.

I hope this in-depth comparison helps you navigate the ultracompact camera landscape with clarity and confidence. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences with either of these cameras. Happy shooting!