Fujifilm F800EXR vs Olympus TG-310: A Deep Dive into Compact Photography Options

When you're searching for a compact camera that can keep pace with your creative ambitions, it’s essential to understand what your gear really offers: image quality, versatility, durability, and ease of use. Today, we take a comprehensive look at two interesting entries from the early 2010s compact segment - the Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR and the Olympus TG-310. Though their specs reveal different target audiences, comparing them helps clarify what kind of photographer each suits best.

As experienced testers who have handled hundreds of compact cameras, we'll break down their strengths and limitations across major photography genres, highlighting their technical nuances, real-world performance, and overall value. By the end, you'll be equipped to decide which aligns best with your photography goals.

Understanding Physical Presence and Ergonomics

Your camera is more than pixels - how it feels in your hands impacts your shooting confidence.

The Fujifilm F800EXR is noticeably larger and heavier than the Olympus TG-310, primarily due to its extensive zoom range and robust internal components. Its handgrip offers moderate comfort for longer sessions, but doesn’t match DSLR-like ergonomics.

In contrast, the TG-310’s compact profile makes it ultra-portable and attractive for travel and outdoor use. Its ruggedized construction with waterproofing and shockproofing is a major advantage if you plan to shoot in rough environments or near water. However, the slimmer body can feel less stable during extended handheld shooting.

If portability and toughness top your list, the TG-310 fits organically into your kit. But if you want more substantial controls for varied exposures, the F800EXR’s size feels more reassuring in hand.

Control Layout and User Interface: Designing the Photographer’s Workflow

Ease of navigation is often overlooked but can substantially affect shooting speed and creativity.

The Fujifilm F800EXR offers more dedicated shooting modes including manual exposure, aperture priority, shutter priority, and exposure compensation - an uncommon flexibility for cameras in its class. Its physical buttons and dials are intuitively laid out on top, making mode switching and adjustments quick even without digging through menus.

Olympus TG-310 embraces simplicity, with no manual exposure or aperture priority. It relies heavily on automatic modes and presets, ideal for point-and-shoot users prioritizing convenience over granular control. The lack of direct exposure compensation or manual modes may frustrate users wanting more influence over their images.

For photographers who value having creative control at their fingertips, the Fujifilm shines. Beginners or adventurers who want “set it and forget it” functionality will feel more comfortable with the TG-310’s straightforward approach.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

At the heart of any camera is the sensor - it largely defines image quality capabilities.

The Fujifilm’s EXR CMOS sensor technology was designed to optimize image quality by switching between modes that prioritize resolution, dynamic range, or low noise under different shooting conditions. This gives it a competitive edge in challenging lighting, providing flexibility seldom found in compact cameras.

Its 16MP count at 1/2" sensor size yields respectable resolution. Native ISO maxing at 3200 facilitates acceptable low-light shooting, and RAW shooting support opens doors to greater post-processing freedom.

Conversely, the TG-310 employs an older CCD sensor with a slightly smaller sensor area and lower pixel count of 14MP. Its ISO tops at 1600, limiting low-light performance. The lack of RAW support confines you to JPEG, which may impact image quality and editing latitude.

If image detail, dynamic range, and options for post-shoot editing rank high for you, the Fujifilm’s sensor architecture brings important advantages. The Olympus’s sensor is serviceable for daylight snapshots but shows its limitations in complex lighting scenarios.

Viewing and Framing: LCD Screens and Viewfinders

Framing shots accurately is crucial - here’s how each camera assists you.

Both cameras lack viewfinders, relying on rear LCD screens for composition. Fujifilm’s 3-inch screen has almost double the resolution of Olympus, presenting clearer, more detailed previews - useful for critical focusing and evaluating exposure before shooting.

The TG-310’s smaller, lower-resolution screen still performs adequately for general purpose use, but can struggle in bright outdoor light.

Neither offers touch control, which is typical for cameras from this era but worth noting if you prefer touchscreen operation.

For precise framing and review, the Fujifilm screen offers a tangible advantage, helping you catch composition or focus errors early.

Autofocus and Performance Speed

Next, autofocus (AF) system capabilities determine how well your camera captures decisive moments.

Thanks to contrast-detection and face detection in both cameras, you get reliable AF performance in daylight. The Fujifilm adds continuous autofocus (AF-C) and continuous shooting at a blazing 11 frames per second, unique among compacts of its generation, useful for capturing fleeting expressions or action sequences.

In contrast, the Olympus TG-310 offers a modest 1 fps continuous shooting and lacks continuous AF, which can limit its ability to track moving subjects accurately in burst mode.

For nature, sports, or street photographers who value rapid capture sequences and AF tracking, the Fujifilm clearly outpaces the TG-310.

Lens Systems and Zoom Capabilities

Your lens defines framing flexibility and ultimate image perspective.

The Fujifilm impresses with an extremely versatile 20x zoom range from a wide 25mm to a long 500mm equivalent, covering everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife close-ups.

By comparison, the Olympus TG-310’s more modest 3.6x zoom (28-102mm equivalent) offers less reach but still covers useful wide-angle to short telephoto perspectives. Its closer macro minimum focus distance (3cm vs 5cm) provides an edge for tight close-up shots.

If zoom reach and framing versatility are priorities - especially for travel or wildlife - the Fujifilm’s lens makes it a more flexible tool. The TG-310 suits users focused on ruggedness with occasional landscape or macro shooting.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Let’s talk about reliability in diverse conditions, especially if your photography journeys lead outdoors.

• Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR: No weather sealing or ruggedized features; plastic body vulnerable to dust, moisture, drops.
• Olympus TG-310: Fully weather-sealed, waterproof to 10 feet (3 meters), dustproof, shockproof from 1.5 meters, and freezeproof to -10°C.

This is a stark difference. If you photograph in challenging environments - beach, mountains, rain, snow - the TG-310’s rugged design ensures worry-free shooting.

For studio or controlled environments, the Fujifilm’s lack of protection is less relevant, but outdoor shooters should consider the Olympus for peace of mind.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Steady shots and noise-free images under dim conditions are critical for many genres.

Both cameras use sensor-shift image stabilization, which compensates for hand shake across focal ranges.

• The Fujifilm's stabilization, combined with its faster maximum ISO (3200 native, 12800 boosted), results in improved low-light capabilities, less motion blur, and cleaner images at night.
• The Olympus TG-310, capped at ISO 1600, struggles more in low-light. However, its stabilization helps slow shutter speeds hand-held.

In practical tests, the Fujifilm produces more usable low-light photos, with less noise and better detail retention. The TG-310 is best used in brighter conditions or with flash.

Video Capabilities

Video has become a staple for many creators - here’s how these two fare.

The Fujifilm beats the TG-310 with full HD 1080p recording, better compression (H264), and smoother frame rates. The Olympus tops out at 720p HD in Motion JPEG, resulting in larger files and lower quality.

Though neither has external audio input or microphone jacks, the Fujifilm is the more capable video tool for casual filming or vlogging.

Battery Life and Storage

Understanding how long you can shoot between charges is important.

• Fujifilm F800EXR: Rated for 300 shots per charge using its NP-50A rechargeable battery - decent for day trips.
• Olympus TG-310: Rated for 150 shots, half of the Fujifilm, due to its compact body and smaller LI-42B battery.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards via a single memory slot.

If you plan long outdoor shoots without charging options, Fujifilm’s longer battery life is a plus. Carry spares with either model for extended sessions.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras feature USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, standard for image transfer and external viewing.

• The Fujifilm has built-in wireless connectivity - useful for quick image sharing to smartphones or tablets.
• The Olympus supports Eye-Fi wireless cards, enabling WiFi transfer via specialized SD cards, though this is less seamless.

Neither camera supports Bluetooth or NFC for modern pairing methods.

Cost and Value Proposition

*Prices fluctuate on secondhand markets as both models are discontinued.

Given their age, both cameras are primarily available used. The Fujifilm’s higher spec and better image quality justify a higher price point. The Olympus appeals mainly to buyers needing ruggedness at minimal cost.

How Do These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres?

To bring this into focus, here’s a succinct performance overview across common genres, combining specs with hands-on shooting experience.

This comparative table helps clarify who should consider which camera.

Viewing Sample Images: Real-World Output Comparison

Let’s see how these cameras translate hardware advantages into image quality in typical shooting conditions.

Fujifilm F800EXR front Fujifilm F800EXR screen back Olympus TG 310 front Olympus TG 310 screen back

The Fujifilm’s images show better clarity, richer colors, and smoother gradients thanks to its EXR sensor and RAW processing options. The Olympus results suit casual, daylight photography but show noticeable noise and less detail in shadows and highlights.

Overall Performance Ratings

After extensive hands-on evaluation across all tested criteria, here’s a summary scoring to situate these cameras’ competitiveness.

The Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR notably scores higher across image quality, autofocus, video, and versatility. The Olympus TG-310’s niche strengths are in build quality and survival in harsh outdoor conditions.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Which One Is Right For You?

• Choose the Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR if:

  • You seek a versatile zoom range for varied subjects - from wide landscapes to distant wildlife.
  • You want manual exposure controls and RAW shooting for creative flexibility.
  • Video quality is a consideration for casual HD filming.
  • You value higher resolution, better low-light capability, and faster continuous shooting.
  • Size and weather sealing are not top priorities.

• Choose the Olympus TG-310 if:

  • You need a rugged camera that you can take hiking, snorkeling, or in harsh weather without worry.
  • Compactness and light weight are critical for your travels.
  • You prefer a simple, straightforward point-and-shoot with fewer manual complexities.
  • Durability outweighs image quality demands.
  • Budget constraints favor a lower-cost rugged compact.

Taking the Next Step in Your Photography Journey

Even though both models come from an earlier generation, their contrasting strengths offer lessons on how camera technology balances versatility, image quality, and ruggedness.

To get hands-on experience, I encourage you to check local used camera stores or rental services to try these in your shooting environments. Consider pairing your choice with a reliable tripod, extra batteries, and quality storage cards to maximize your creative outings.

Dive deeper into newer models if you want more current features like touchscreen interfaces, higher resolution sensors, or advanced AF systems, but these two still serve as solid entry points into focused photography or recreational outdoor shooting.

Summary Table of Key Specs

Through balanced insight grounded in technical expertise and field testing, we hope this comparison serves you well in navigating compact camera options. Whether you prioritize rugged adventure or creative precision, the right camera awaits to unlock your photographic potential. Happy shooting!