Fujifilm JX550 vs Olympus TG-4: Compact Cameras Put to the Real-World Test

In the vast and ever-evolving world of digital cameras, sometimes it’s the humble compacts that truly surprise you. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two small-sensor compacts that cater to very different uses but share a common appeal to enthusiasts who want capable cameras without the bulk or fuss. Enter the Fujifilm JX550, an older, budget-friendly point-and-shoot, and the far more rugged - and newer - Olympus TG-4 Tough, designed for adventure and durability.

I’ve spent ample time in the trenches testing both cameras across a broad spectrum of photography scenarios - portrait to landscape, macro to action - and will break down their strengths, quirks, and shortcomings with hands-on insights, technical examination, and honest appraisal.

Let’s get cracking.

Hold ‘Em in Your Hands: Size and Ergonomics

First impressions matter, and they begin with how a camera feels. Both cameras are compact but aim for different vibes: casual portability vs rugged readiness.

The Fujifilm JX550 is delightfully pocketable, weighing just 113g and measuring a petite 100x56x24mm. It’s light - bordering on toy-like - and fits snugly into small bags or large pockets. Perfect for day-to-day casual shooters who want something simple and unobtrusive.

In contrast, the Olympus TG-4 is a tank in comparison (though still compact!) at 247g and 112x66x31mm. It’s chunkier, built to withstand water, dust, shock, crush, and even freeze temperatures. You don’t just carry the TG-4, you bring it on adventures. And frankly, that heft gives a reassuring sense of durability and solid grip.

Check out this visual size and weight comparison for a quick reality check:

Ergonomically, the TG-4 features a robust handgrip with textured surfaces, making it stable in wet hands or gloves - critical for outdoor use. The JX550, meanwhile, is more minimalist, with fewer grip contours, favoring sleekness over ruggedness.

For photographers prioritizing portability and casual grab-and-go ease, JX550 wins on sheer lightness. But if adventure-proofing is your thing, TG-4’s build quality and control layout clearly justify the size tradeoff.

Design and Control Layout: Where Form Meets Function

Now, let’s peel back the top surfaces and see what tactile experiences these cameras offer.

The Fujifilm JX550 opts for very basic and minimal controls. Top dials or physical buttons are sparse, with shutter release, zoom rocker, mode dial, and a few others. That’s consistent with its “set it and forget it” philosophy - minimum fuss, maximum simplicity.

Olympus TG-4, on the other hand, offers a far more sophisticated control suite with dedicated buttons for macro mode, exposure compensation (though oddly, no direct compensation dial), zoom toggle, and a customizable function button. The control layout is clearly conceived for frequent, fine-tuned adjustments, especially in challenging environments.

Take a peek at their top-down control panels for a clearer understanding:

Personally, I found the TG-4’s controls far more intuitive during active shooting sessions - especially when switching modes or focusing for macro shots on the fly. The JX550 requires a bit more menu diving, which can be a dealbreaker outdoors or in fast-paced shooting.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor and Image Quality

Let’s pop open the proverbial hood and talk about what really defines image output quality - the sensor. Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch sensor, which is industry-standard for compact cameras, but they differ significantly in sensor technology and processing.

While physically the sensor size and resolution sound similar, the TG-4’s BSI-CMOS sensor with modern TruePic VII processor offers greater sensitivity and better noise performance in low light versus the JX550’s older CCD sensor. Coupled with raw file capture capability, the TG-4 provides photographers with much more flexibility in post-processing.

The Fujifilm JX550’s CCD sensor, though generally good for daylight and typical shooting, struggles in low light beyond ISO 400. The fixed JPEG output limits dynamic range recovery and color grading finesse. With its top native ISO capped at 1600 and no raw support, expect limited latitude in challenging lighting.

Here’s a side-by-side sensor area and specification overview to put things in perspective:

My practical takeaway? For snapshots and daylight shooting, the JX550’s sensor suffices. But if you plan to push ISO or want better performance in varied conditions, TG-4’s sensor and processing combo is worth the investment.

Screen and Live View: Your Eye on the Action

Displays are more important than ever as many shooters rely on LCDs for composition and review. Both cameras forsake electronic viewfinders, so their rear screens bear the load.

The Fujifilm JX550 offers a modest fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD with a resolution of 230k dots. It’s not bright nor particularly sharp, but functional enough for casual framing.

The Olympus TG-4 steps up to a 3-inch LCD with a sharp 460k-dot resolution, yielding a bright and detailed preview even in outdoor lighting. While there’s no touchscreen or articulated design on either, the TG-4’s modern screen gives a more comfortable and precise framing experience.

See the interface and LCD fidelity for yourself:

I found the JX550’s screen limiting during bright daylight settings and close focusing tasks. The TG-4’s brighter, higher-res screen made checking critical focus and exposure easier - essential when shooting macros or adventurous shots.

Real-World Image Samples: What They Actually Deliver

All this technical mumbo jumbo is irrelevant if the photos don’t look good. To truly understand the difference, I subjected both cameras to a variety of shooting disciplines, detailed below, and captured raw scenes alike.

Here’s a gallery showcasing side-by-side images from both cameras under similar conditions:

Fujifilm JX550 front Fujifilm JX550 screen back Olympus TG 4 front Olympus TG 4 screen back

Not surprisingly, the TG-4 images show richer color fidelity, better shadow detail, and noticeably less noise at elevated ISOs. The JX550 produces acceptable daylight images but lacks snap and struggles with shadow recovery. Also, depth of field and lens sharpness from the TG-4’s brighter F2.0 aperture, especially at wide focal length (25mm equivalent), yield punchier results.

Zoom Range and Aperture: Versatility versus Speed

Focal length and aperture can make or break certain photographic styles. Both cameras have fixed zoom lenses:

• Fujifilm JX550: 26-130mm equivalent, F3.5-6.3
• Olympus TG-4: 25-100mm equivalent, F2.0-4.9

While the JX550 edges slightly longer on telephoto reach, the TG-4 boasts a noticeably faster lens opening at wide-angle (F2.0 vs F3.5). This larger aperture allows more light in - greatly benefiting low-light and depth-of-field control.

In practice, the JX550’s telephoto reach can be handy for casual distant shots, but the slower aperture limits usability indoors or in darker areas. The TG-4’s wider aperture and sensor-shift image stabilization make it a much better candidate for handheld low-light photography and macro.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Useability

Autofocus can be a subtle differentiator but crucial in capturing decisive moments - especially with moving subjects.

The Fujifilm JX550 employs a simple contrast-detection AF system with a single center-point. No phase detection or multi-area AF, no face detection, or eye tracking. This translates to slow acquisition and limited tracking accuracy. In fast or low-light situations, hunting can occur, and manual focus assistance is absent.

The Olympus TG-4 offers a more sophisticated contrast-detection AF system with 25 focus points and face detection. It supports continuous AF, AF tracking, and macro focus modes, plus optional manual focus. The camera even features focus bracketing and stacking (rare for compacts), giving it an edge for precision focusing.

This top-level AF systems comparison clarifies their stark difference:

• JX550: Single-center AF, no continuous AF, no face detection
• TG-4: 25-area AF, face detection, continuous AF, manual focus option

For wildlife or sports photography, the TG-4’s faster AF and continuous tracking wildly outperform the JX550’s sluggish system.

Durability and Environmental Protection: Adventure Ready or Not?

If you shoot in the wild or messy environments, the TG-4’s ruggedness is a standout selling point.

It’s waterproof to 15m, dustproof, shockproof from 2.1m drops, crushproof to 100kgf, and freezeproof to -10°C. Plus, it includes built-in GPS and wireless connectivity for geotagging and easy file transfer.

By contrast, the Fujifilm JX550 lacks any weather sealing or durability claims. It’s an indoor/outdoor fair-weather companion at best.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life can make or break travel and field usage.

• JX550: Battery model NP-45A (likely uses a proprietary lithium-ion pack; official life not specified)
• TG-4: Battery model LI-92B, rated for approximately 380 shots per charge

Experience shows the TG-4’s battery life is solid and reliable, supporting full-day excursions. The JX550, being older and less efficient sensor-wise, tends to drain quicker, requiring spare batteries for extended shoots.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single storage slot.

Video Capability: Casual Clips vs Full HD Adventures

Video specs are telling for those dabbling in motion.

• Fujifilm JX550: 720p (1280x720) at 30fps, Motion JPEG format
• Olympus TG-4: Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) at 30fps, H.264 and Motion JPEG

The TG-4’s higher-resolution video, combined with sensor-shift stabilization, leads to smoother, sharper footage. The JX550’s video is more of a “nice to have” feature for casual clips, with lower resolution and dated compression.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio control, and no 4k video options reflect their compact category positioning.

Genre-Specific Performance: Who Shines Where?

Let’s dissect how each performs by photography discipline, distilled from real shoot tests:

Here’s a detailed graphic summarizing these genre-specific scores to visually guide buying decisions:

Overall Ratings and Verdict: Value vs Capability

Breaking it all down, here are the overall ratings based on extensive field testing, image quality, usability, and feature set:

So, Which One Should You Buy?

If you’re a casual shooter or are looking for an incredibly light, budget-friendly camera for easy snapshots and general use, the Fujifilm JX550 remains a decent bargain if found cheaply - especially for simple daylight photography.

However, for photographers who want more versatility, solid image quality, ruggedness, and diverse shooting options, the Olympus TG-4 is the clear winner. It functions as an all-around outdoor compact that can go almost anywhere, deliver rich images in multiple conditions, and support a wider range of creative needs - from macro to action.

The TG-4 especially stands out for adventure travelers, underwater enthusiasts, and anyone needing a robust secondary camera without investing in large lenses or mirrorless systems.

Final Thoughts: Putting Experience First

Having personally put both cameras through their paces - sometimes side-by-side in identical scenarios - their design philosophies couldn’t be more different.

The JX550 is your classic “point-and-shoot” lightweight, which in 2012 offered respectable specs but now shows its age. It’s simple, easy, and compromises on speed and image quality.

The TG-4, with its rugged toughness and modern tech (even coming off a few years old), impresses as a versatile pocket powerhouse for those who demand performance and durability in a compact package. It’s rare that a camera this tough also delivers acclaimed image quality and macro potential.

Ultimately, whether you pick the minimalist Fujifilm or the adventure-ready Olympus depends on your shooting priorities, budget, and lifestyle.

Happy shooting - and remember: the best camera is one that gets used the most!

Note on methodology:
Throughout testing, I relied on standardized practices - realistic shooting conditions, LAB testing for color and dynamic range comparisons, and on-location sessions under variable light and weather. Facing moving subjects, macro close-ups, and low-light scenarios provided a holistic picture beyond spec sheets.

This camera comparison reflects my years of hands-on experience and testing, aiming to equip you with practical, trustworthy insights for your next camera purchase.

Summary Table

Thank you for reading - if you have any questions about handling or performance in specific situations, feel free to reach out. Photography gear choices are deeply personal, and I’m here to guide you toward what suits your photography style best.