Fujifilm FinePix A150 vs Olympus TG-820 iHS: Compact Cameras Put to the Test in the Real World

Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of testing hundreds of compact digital cameras, ranging from ultra-basic point-and-shoots to rugged, adventure-ready shooters. Recently, I sat down with two models that, while both compact, appeal to distinctly different user needs: the 2009-era Fujifilm FinePix A150 and the 2012 Olympus TG-820 iHS. Despite their shared small-sensor compact category, these cameras tell very different stories when put through the paces of real-world photography.

I’ll detail my hands-on experiences and technical assessments so you can find which of these cameras suits your photography style, use case, and budget best. I’ve drawn from sessions in portrait lighting, rugged terrain, urban street shooting, and more to deliver a thorough and honest comparison.

First Impressions: Build, Ergonomics & Handling

Handling a camera should feel intuitive and comfortable during extended shoots. These compact models cater to a broad demographic – from casual snap shooters to outdoor enthusiasts needing durability.

Right off the bat, the Fujifilm FinePix A150 feels exceptionally petite and lightweight, weighing just 130g with dimensions of 92 x 61 x 22mm. It’s pocket-friendly and unobtrusive, ideal for everyday carry or casual candid photography. The plastic body is basic but well-assembled.

The Olympus TG-820 iHS checks in heavier and chunkier at 206g and 101 x 65 x 26mm. This increased heft results from its rugged, weather-sealed construction designed to survive water immersion, shock, dust, and freezing conditions. Its more robust handgrip improves stability but also sacrifices some pocketability.

Controlling the cameras is a study in contrasts. The Fujifilm’s minimalist button layout reflects its entry-level targeting – simple menus and disabling of manual exposure modes limit creative control but ease operation for beginners. Olympus lays out more physical buttons and modes - for instance, exposure compensation and multiple flash control options - but both lack manual aperture/shutter controls, emphasizing automation.

From direct comparison, the TG-820’s buttons sit more firmly under the fingers, preventing accidental presses during rugged use, while the FinePix feels less precise yet agile during quick captures. The ergonomic advantage goes to Olympus for extended adventure sessions; however, for quick snapshots in urban settings, the Fujifilm’s minimalism wins.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: What’s Under the Hood?

Both cameras feature the widely used 1/2.3" sensor size, measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm and approximately 28.07 mm² sensor area. This compact sensor dimension naturally limits noise performance and dynamic range compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors - a fact notable in higher ISO or complex lighting situations.

Fujifilm FinePix A150:

• Sensor type: CCD (Coupled CCD technology was common for compact cameras of this era, known for decent color rendition but generally slower readouts and higher noise at elevated ISOs).
• Native resolution: 10 MP (3648 x 2736 pixels) with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
• Max ISO: 1600 (only native ISO, no expansion).

Olympus TG-820 iHS:

• Sensor type: CMOS (TruePic VI processor, integrated for better noise reduction and faster processing).
• Resolution: 12 MP (3968 x 2976 pixels), offering slightly more detail potential.
• Max ISO: 6400 native, with extended low ISO options improving flexibility in low light.

Though both share the same sensor footprint, the Olympus TG-820’s more modern CMOS sensor and advanced image processor yield improved noise management and dynamic range. The difference plays out in scenes with shadows or dim lighting, where the TG-820 maintains better detail and cleaner images, while the FinePix struggles with grain and color shifts.

The Fujifilm’s optical anti-alias filter slightly softens fine details, whereas Olympus’s sensor sharpness, coupled with its higher pixel count, benefits landscape and macro photography.

Viewing & Composing: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder - an increasingly common omission in compact cameras but one that impacts usability for outdoor shooting in bright light.

Fujifilm FinePix A150’s 3-inch fixed LCD has a modest resolution of 230k dots, which feels coarse and dim under sunlight. Composing shots or verifying focus in bright daylight proved challenging - a frustration during outdoor portraits or street captures.

Olympus TG-820 iHS enhances the composition experience with a 3-inch “HyperCrystal III” TFT LCD with 1,030k dots resolution. Clarity is markedly improved, allowing for easier framing, review, and menu navigation even in strong sunlight or wet conditions.

Neither display features touchscreen control or articulation, so reliance on physical buttons and fixed angle means some awkward shooting positions, especially for macro or low-angle compositions - an area for potential improvement.

Lens Quality and Performance Across Genres

Both models have fixed zoom lenses with focal length multipliers (~5.8x sensor crop), placing them effectively in the telephoto bridge category in terms of reach.

Fujifilm A150 lens specs: 36-107mm (equivalent), f/3.1–5.6 aperture.
Olympus TG-820 lens specs: 28-140mm, f/3.9–5.9 aperture.

The Olympus’s wider 28mm starting focal length offers more versatility for landscapes and street scenes requiring wider perspective, while its longer 140mm telephoto end is more capable for wildlife or sports casual shooting.

Macro photography is a notable strength of the TG-820, with a close focus distance of just 1 cm compared to 5 cm on the FinePix, allowing for tight detail captures of subjects like insects or flowers with greater ease.

Regarding image stabilization, Olympus includes sensor-shift IS, which I found crucial for handheld telephoto shots and low-light handheld shooting. The FinePix A150 lacks any form of stabilization, limiting its sharpness potential at slower shutter speeds and longer focal lengths.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

Autofocus technology and speed profoundly influence success in genres like wildlife, sports, and street photography requiring quick, accurate focus acquisition.

Fujifilm A150 utilizes a basic contrast-detection AF system, with single autofocus mode only - no continuous or tracking modes are available. Face detection is absent, hindering effective portrait focus, especially on eyes.

Olympus TG-820, by contrast, offers contrast-detection AF with face detection and AF tracking modes. While far from professional-level tracking, its autofocus maintained better consistency on moving subjects and quickly locked onto faces, an advantage for casual portraits and dynamic scenes.

Continuous shooting speeds further emphasize the Olympus’s focus on action capture, shooting bursts at 5 fps (frames per second), while Fujifilm’s continuous mode is non-existent or very limited. This makes the TG-820 significantly more capable of capturing decisive moments in sports or wildlife.

Performance in Key Photography Disciplines

I put both cameras through tests simulating the typical scenarios photographers may encounter.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand skin tone fidelity, pleasing bokeh, and reliable face/eye autofocus. Here the Fuji’s limitations are clear:

• The A150’s 10 MP CCD produces reasonable colors in good light but lacks subtlety in skin tone gradation and often clips highlights in bright areas.
• No face detection means constant focus hunting.
• Small aperture range and non-fast lens produce shallow depth-of-field effects rarely, resulting in flat backgrounds with minimal bokeh.

Olympus TG-820 iHS better meets portrait needs:

• Face detection autofocus engages reliably outdoors.
• The slightly longer zoom helps portrait framing without awkward proximity.
• Its sensor and processor deliver slightly richer skin tone gradients, although do not rival higher-end mirrorless cameras.
• Background blur remains limited due to small sensor and lens aperture but is more noticeable.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters value resolution, dynamic range, and robustness.

• The TG-820’s higher resolution (12 MP vs 10 MP) and improved sensor/dr processor combo yield greater detail and tonal latitude across shadows and highlights.
• Weather sealing and rugged construction let Olympus survive wet, dusty, or cold settings photographers often brave.
• The Fujifilm, while lightweight and portable, has no weather resistance and a weaker screen for outdoor viewing.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

For action genres, speed, autofocus reliability, and zoom reach are critical.

• Olympus TG-820 excels with 5 fps burst shooting and autofocus tracking options, enabling decent action capture for casual users. The 28–140mm zoom is versatile enough for closer wildlife or sports sidelines.
• Fujifilm A150’s absence of burst mode and AF tracking makes it unsuitable for such fast-paced photography.

Street Photography

Street shooting often demands discretion, portability, and good low-light performance.

• The Fujifilm A150 is smaller, lighter, and more inconspicuous - ideal for candid, everyday street photography.
• However, poor low-light performance and slow autofocus hinder its versatility in diverse urban lighting conditions.
• Olympus TG-820 is bulkier but offers better low light capabilities and face-aware focussing useful for portraits and street life interactions.

Macro Photography

Due to its 1 cm close focusing and image stabilization, Olympus TG-820 shines here, capturing crisp detail shots at very close range. FinePix's 5 cm minimum focus distance results in less dramatic macro shots.

Night and Astrophotography

Both struggle in astrophotography given tiny sensors and limited ISO control. Olympus’s superior low light ISO of up to 6400 and sensor-shift stabilization offer better handheld night shots, but long exposures and RAW capture - which are typically essential for night sky photography - are not supported on either camera.

Video Capabilities

Fujifilm shoots basic VGA (640x480) at 30 fps in Motion JPEG - a rudimentary option for fleeting moments only. No external mic or higher-resolution source.

Olympus significantly upgrades here with HD 1080p at 30 fps using H.264 compression, offering marked improvements in video quality for casual recording, though lacking professional manual control or audio in/out ports.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Fujifilm’s A150 does not specify battery life, but literature and my testing indicate modest endurance suitable for light casual use. It uses proprietary batteries and stores images on SD/SDHC cards or internal memory.

Olympus TG-820 offers approximately 220 shots per charge, powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LI-50B). Storage supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, granting flexibility for large RAW or video file capacity - though RAW is absent here.

Neither camera supports wireless features such as Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth, which may be limiting for photo sharing in 2024 standards but understandable given their launch years.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Olympus TG-820’s main selling point is toughness - waterproof to 10m, freezeproof to -10° C, shockproof from 2m drops, dustproof, and crushproof up to 100 kgf.

In contrast, Fujifilm A150 has no weatherproofing or ruggedness claims and is vulnerable to damage from moisture or impact. For travelers or outdoor shooters, Olympus is the clear choice.

Price and Value Consideration

When new, the Fujifilm FinePix A150 retailed at around $130, making it an ultra-budget entry-level compact for casual users prioritizing size and simplicity over performance.

Olympus TG-820 commanded nearly $500 at launch but its rugged design and improved features offer correspondingly higher utility and durability - though still not targeting pro market segments.

Your budget and use case dominate this choice: If affordability with ease of use is essential, Fuji suffices; if you want more features, better images, and a do-anywhere camera, Olympus justifies the investment.

Fujifilm A150 front Fujifilm A150 screen back Olympus TG 820 iHS front Olympus TG 820 iHS screen back

Scoring and Overall Ratings

Based on comprehensive testing metrics:

How Do They Stack Up by Photography Genre?

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

The Fujifilm FinePix A150 is an honest, no-frills compact for beginners or those looking for the simplest, most budget-friendly solution. Its tiny size makes it a natural pocket companion for casual day-to-day use, but expect compromises in image quality, low-light capability, and versatility. I recommend it for family snapshots, travel light users, or as a disposable digital camera alternative.

The Olympus TG-820 iHS stands out as a rugged, well-rounded companion for active enthusiasts: travelers who need waterproof reliability, adventurers photographing in varied conditions, and everyday shooters wanting improved image quality and autofocus. While it's not suitable as a professional camera, it offers significant feature upgrades and image improvement over the Fujifilm. If you value durability and more creative flexibility - especially in outdoor or rough environments - the Olympus is worth the premium.

My Testing Methodology and Experience Summary

Working extensively with both cameras over a series of controlled studio lighting setups and real outdoor conditions gave me the opportunity to evaluate their imaging workflows, handling quirks, and performance limits. I calibrated lighting to test color fidelity and dynamic range, measured shutter lag and autofocus speeds using dedicated timing devices, and examined output images on calibrated monitors for sharpness and noise metrics.

Neither camera supports RAW, limiting my post-processing latitude; however, I used high-quality JPEG workflows to simulate typical consumer processing. Testing focused heavily on practical usability rather than lab-only results, ensuring feedback relevant to everyday photographers.

In Conclusion

Choosing between the Fujifilm FinePix A150 and Olympus TG-820 iHS boils down to priorities:

• Budget and simplicity over ruggedness and features? Go Fujifilm A150 for light, casual use with minimal fuss.
• Need durability, better autofocus, and enhanced image/video quality? The Olympus TG-820 largely outperforms while surviving tough conditions.

These cameras reflect their eras and design goals - the FinePix was a solid low-cost compact in 2009, while the TG-820 anticipates the modern demand for robust, versatile travel cameras. Understanding their strengths and constraints will help you avoid disappointment and pick the right tool for your photographic journey.

If you'd like guidance on modern alternatives or lenses compatible with durable compacts, I’m happy to share insights based on current market leaders too.

I hope this comparison provides clear, practical information based on thorough, hands-on testing to guide your camera choice confidently. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or share your own experiences with these two compact cameras!