Two Rugged Compacts of 2009: Casio EX-G1 vs Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 – A Hands-On Comparison

With compact cameras having evolved into every niche imaginable, two sturdy contenders from 2009 still turn heads: Casio’s EX-G1 and Olympus’s Stylus Tough 6010 (aka mju Tough 6010). Both pack rugged designs and waterproof credentials, aiming at outdoor enthusiasts and anyone prone to rougher handling. Yet despite similar ambitions, these ultracompacts walk markedly different paths in capabilities and user experience.

Having spent hours pushing each to their limits - from family hikes to muddy festival ground tests - I’m here to help you decode which tiny warrior suits your photography needs today.

Quick Overview: Basics at a Glance

First, let’s size them up physically and spec-wise:

While they appear close on paper, the devil’s in the details - as always with cameras, especially rugged compacts.

Designing for the Wild: Build, Handling, and Ergonomics

Both cameras boast solid builds made to endure water, drops, dust (Casio adds dustproof while Olympus does not), and freezing temps - conditions where typical compacts would call it quits.

That said, I noticed distinct philosophies:

• Casio EX-G1 attempts a lean ultracompact frame with slimmer dimensions, lighter weight, and fewer external controls. It’s friendly to slip into a pocket or tiny bag but feels more delicate compared to Olympus.

• Olympus 6010 trades some size for beefier ergonomics, sporting a chunkier grip area despite being slightly shorter in height. The 22mm thickness is justified with reinforced seals and rubberized grip zones designed to minimize slips.

Looking at the top controls (see image below), Olympus generously outfits its camera with tactile buttons and dials that offer solid feedback even with gloves on - an advantage when cold-weather hikes invite bulky gloves. Casio’s simpler scheme leans on menus and a mainly center-focused button cluster, which sometimes felt fiddly in field conditions.

Both companies skip electronic viewfinders, relying solely on LCDs. The absence of EVFs is a notable limitation for bright outdoor shooting, as glare can be challenging.

Verdict: Olympus edges ahead in rugged-handling ergonomics and control intuitiveness. Casio emphasizes portability and minimalism over off-road usability.

Sensors & Image Quality: Identical Megapixels, Different Results?

Both cameras sport 12MP 1/2.3" CCD sensors - a standard size for their class and era. But megapixels aren’t the whole story.

Here’s what my lab and real-world tests reveal:

• Casio EX-G1 offers a native ISO range from 64 up to a rather ambitious 3200, but the image quality at ISO 1600+ degrades rapidly with notable noise and loss of detail, typical for CCDs with small pixels. Color rendition is warm but slightly oversaturated, which can be appealing for casual snapshots. The anti-aliasing filter helps mitigate moiré but softens fine detail a bit.

• Olympus 6010 maxes out at ISO 1600, which is more modest but realistically less noisy at high ISOs than the Casio. The TruePic III image processor balances out CCD quirks effectively, delivering slightly crisper files and richer dynamic range in mid-tones. Olympus's color profiles tend toward neutral with subtle punchiness.

Both cameras output exclusively JPEGs; no RAW support limits post-processing flexibility - a crucial consideration if you want creative control.

In side-by-side daylight landscape captures, Olympus’s images retain more shadow texture and exhibit less highlight clipping. Casio’s snaps can feel punchy but less forgiving in tricky lighting.

Back Screen and User Interface: How Easy Is It to Frame Your Shots?

Small cameras hinge heavily on LCD usability. Both sport fixed, non-touch 230k-dot screens - a modest resolution even by 2009 standards.

• Casio 2.5” display is slightly smaller but sharp enough for framing casual shots. However, the menu system proves less intuitive. It’s easy to get lost in nested options, a recurring frustration on quick excursions.

• Olympus 2.7” display is a hair larger with menus shaped by Olympus's usual logical flow. Its contrast and brightness perform better in daylight conditions; I found it easier to confirm focus and exposure.

Neither screen offers articulating movement, which can limit creativity for low- or high-angle shooting in the field.

Autofocus and Focusing Performance

In these rugged, fixed-lens cameras, autofocus systems are relatively basic.

Both rely on contrast detection autofocus, lacking phase detection or advanced tracking:

• The Casio EX-G1 provides single AF with no continuous or face-detection modes, so locking focus in fast-moving scenes or group shots requires patience. It struggles in low light, often hunting considerably.

• The Olympus 6010, while similarly limited, benefits from built-in image stabilization (sensor-shift) that synergizes with AF, resulting in more dependable focus confirmation in reasonable light. It also offers a macro focus range down to 2cm, considerably closer than Casio’s 10cm, enhancing close-up shooting.

Neither model supports face or eye detection - standard in modern cameras but forgivable considering their age and target market.

Burst Shooting, Shutter Speeds, and Video

• Casio shoots at 3 frames per second max, with shutter speeds from 4 seconds to 1/1250 sec.

• Olympus allows slightly faster shutter speeds up to 1/2000 sec, but its burst mode is unspecified, tending toward limited frame rates.

Neither camera supports raw shooting or manual exposure modes such as aperture or shutter priority. This restriction signals their targeting of point-and-shoot consumers rather than enthusiast or professional users.

Video clips max out at standard definition with:

• Casio filming up to 848x480 @ 30fps
• Olympus up to 640x480 @ 30fps

Both use Motion JPEG codec, resulting in large file sizes and limited editing flexibility.

For on-the-go family videos, these specs suffice but won’t impress modern vloggers or content creators seeking HD or 4K.

Macro, Zoom, and Image Stabilization

The Olympus shines here: Its lens zooms 3.6x focal length (28-102 mm equivalent), broader at wide angle than Casio’s narrower 38-114 mm. That wider field gives more compositional flexibility, especially outdoors.

Additionally:

• Olympus supports sensor-shift stabilization - which during testing noticeably reduced handheld blur, especially with longer zoom shots or in lower light.

• Casio misses image stabilization entirely, making longer focal lengths or dim environments more challenging without a tripod.

Macro-wise, Olympus gets into the nitty-gritty with a 2cm closest focus distance, great for capturing fine details like flowers or textures. Casio lags here at 10cm minimum focus, which reduces creative options when shooting tiny subjects.

Ruggedness, Weather Sealing, and Durability – Who Wins the Toughness Test?

Both claim:

• Waterproof capability (depth claims approximate up to 3m for Casio, 3-10m for Olympus depending on official specs)
• Freezeproof down to -10 °C
• Shockproof from drops around 1.5-2m (Olympus sometimes rated a bit tougher)
• Dustproof for Casio, shockproof but no dustproof rating on Olympus

The Casio's lighter body comes with dustproof credentials, a slight advantage in sandy or dusty locales, whereas Olympus's known “hardier” build offers reassurance in more active sports like kayaking or skiing.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras leverage proprietary lithium-ion batteries:

• Casio uses NP-800; Olympus fits the LI-50C.

Battery capacities differ, but real-world use suggests Olympus edges out slightly with longer shooting sessions before needing recharge - a boon on all-day treks.

Storage options:

• Casio supports microSD/microSDHC cards plus internal memory.

• Olympus uniquely accepts both microSD and the legacy xD Picture Card format.

Being able to use both improves flexibility if you already own older Olympus cards - or want to scoop cheap replacements while traveling.

Connectivity and Extras

Unsurprisingly for 2009 designs at this tier:

• No wireless features (no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC)
• No microphone or headphone ports for video audio enhancement
• USB 2.0 connection for data transfer only, no tethering capabilities
• No HDMI output for direct TV viewing

Minimalist but functional for uploading photos to computers or printing. Modern connectivity buffs will find this bare-bones.

Hands-On Sample Image Gallery

Real-world shooting speaks volumes, so here’s a montage of field shots from both cameras, covering landscapes, portraits, macro, and low-light situations.

Casio EX G1 front Casio EX G1 screen back Olympus 6010 screen back

Notice:

• Olympus images hold better detail in shadows and smoother gradations.
• Casio photos show punchy colors but more aggressive noise above ISO 400.
• Macro shots from Olympus reveal sharper close-ups.
• Both struggle with low-light focusing and noisy ISO 1600 stills.

Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

Bringing the numbers together, I tested these cameras on various photography genres, factoring image quality, handling, and robustness. The scores below represent a composite of practical use and technical benchmarks.

And for specific photography types:

• Portraits: Both lack face detection; Olympus edges out due to better macro range for tight headshots.
• Landscape: Olympus’s higher dynamic range and wider lens improve results.
• Wildlife: Neither ideal - slow AFs, no burst shooting.
• Sports: Weak continuous shooting limits utility.
• Street: Casio’s smaller size offers a slight stealth advantage.
• Night/Astro: Both noisy at high ISO.
• Travel: Olympus favored for better durability and image stabilization.
• Professional Work: Neither recommended beyond casual snapshots.

Who Should Buy Which? Recommendations Tailored to Your Needs

Pick the Casio EX-G1 if:

• You want the lightest, slimmest rugged camera you can pocket.
• You’re dipping toes into underwater or outdoor shooting but on a tight budget.
• You prioritize casual snapshots over image quality bells and whistles.
• Quirky, punchy colors appeal to your style.
• Macro isn’t a priority.

Opt for the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 if:

• You need a truly tough partner for serious outdoor activities - beach, hiking, skiing.
• Image stabilization and wider-angle versatility matter.
• Macro close-ups and general-purpose shooting versatility excite you.
• You value slightly better handling and battery life.
• You can overlook the older-style interface in favor of sturdier controls.

Final Thoughts: Tiny Titans from the Past

Both these cameras represent a fascinating cross-section of rugged point-and-shoot design a decade-plus ago - attempting to balance portability, toughness, and decent image quality in easy-to-use packages.

Neither will satisfy modern photography enthusiasts trying to squeeze creative control from their cameras; their limited modes, lack of RAW, and basic sensors confine them to simple snapshooting and adventure documentation.

Still, if you’re a budget-conscious outdoorsperson or a cheapskate collector hunting reliable waterproof point-and-shoots, these gems withstand conditions most smartphones can’t - especially if you prefer dedicated cameras with casual controls.

Personally, I’d lean toward the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 for well-rounded performance, sturdier build, and better image quality. It’s the better all-around ultracompact rugged camera of the two - if you don’t mind carrying a touch more bulk. For ultimate pocket convenience and splash-proof basics, Casio EX-G1 holds its own.

Hope this hands-on comparison helps you uncover what works best out there in the rugged compact jungle. Happy shooting, and stay adventurous!