Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP vs Olympus Tough TG-4: A Thorough Dive into Compact Waterproof Cameras

When it comes to rugged, waterproof compact cameras, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing options that promise adventure-ready features, decent image quality, and ease of use. Today, I’m putting two such cameras under the microscope - the Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP (2009) and the Olympus Tough TG-4 (2015). While both cater broadly to protecting your gear from water and elements, they appeal to different levels of photographic ambition and usage scenarios. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years reviewing gear, I’ll walk you through how these two stack up in various practical and technical aspects crucial to photographers.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Ruggedness Meets Usability

Right off the bat, the Fuji Z33WP is a tiny, pocketable device weighing just 110 grams, with dimensions of 92x60x21 mm. Its sleek, slim form factor is very travel-friendly but compromises on handling comfort. It feels almost toy-like in the hand, and its fixed lens rotates between 35-105 mm (35mm equivalent) focal lengths with relatively slow aperture values (F3.7-4.2). It’s waterproof certified down to 3 meters but lacks comprehensive shock or dust protection.

The Olympus TG-4, on the other hand, is a solid chunk of camera - heavier at 247 grams and measuring 112x66x31 mm. This extra heft translates into a far more secure grip and robust controls. It is not only waterproof down to 15m but also shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof, and dustproof - covering all bases for extreme environment shooting. The lens offers a wider and longer zoom range: 25-100 mm at F2.0-4.9, giving more versatility especially in low-light or wide-angle situations.

Ergonomically, the TG-4’s physical buttons and dial layout shine compared to Fujifilm’s minimalist design, especially evident in the top view comparison.

The TG-4’s buttons are more tactile and spaced well, reducing accidental presses. The Fujifilm feels simpler but also less satisfying to manipulate for those who demand manual exposure adjustments.

Sensor and Image Quality: Megapixels and Beyond

Both cameras sport the 1/2.3" sensor size, a common denominator in compacts, but with different imaging technologies. The Z33WP’s 10MP CCD sensor was standard in its era, while the TG-4 uses a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor - the latter offering notable advances in sensitivity and low-light performance.

Testing in daylight reveals the TG-4 produces images with higher resolution and noticeably better dynamic range. The BSI-CMOS sensor’s backside illumination reduces noise at elevated ISOs, allowing the TG-4 to push from ISO 100 up to 6400 natively, whereas the Fuji halts at ISO 1600 and suffers noise quickly past 400.

Color reproduction is another area where Fujifilm’s film simulation heritage might give some nostalgic warmth, yet Olympus’s modern processor and TruePic VII engine deliver more accurate hues, especially skin tones and subtle blues in landscapes.

The Fuji’s antialiasing filter helps reduce moiré but at a slight cost to sharpness; meanwhile, Olympus’s version manages a good balance with effective noise control.

Putting the LCD Screens to the Test

A crucial interface for compacts is the rear LCD, where framing and reviewing images happen. The Fujifilm Z33WP has a 2.7-inch fixed, non-touch screen with 230k-dot resolution - serviceable in bright light but visibly coarse and somewhat dim in shade or overcast conditions.

The TG-4 upgrades this experience significantly with a 3-inch, 460k-dot fixed screen. Despite lacking touchscreen functionality, the improved resolution and size enhance composition and image review precision. Sunlight visibility is much better, although neither camera employs anti-reflective coatings like some recent models.

Operationally, Olympus’s UI is faster to navigate, with helpful feedback from button presses, while Fuji’s UI is slower and less intuitive due to minimal settings and no manual focus or aperture control.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking and Responsiveness Analysis

For most users, autofocus speed and accuracy are mission-critical. The Fuji Z33WP offers only contrast-detect autofocus with a single center-point, no continuous AF or tracking, and no face detection. This is adequate for well-lit, static subjects but frustrating in dynamic environments like wildlife or sports.

Conversely, the TG-4's system features 25 focus points, face detection, continuous AF, and AF tracking. Our field tests confirm that the TG-4 locks on subjects quickly, even in low contrast situations or erratic motion. This capability makes a tangible difference for shooting fast-moving subjects underwater or on hikes.

Burst shooting further widens the gap: Fuji maxes out at 1 frame per second (fps), essentially single-shot pace, while Olympus delivers a respectable 5 fps burst, enabling a better chance to capture fleeting moments.

Image Stabilization: The Difference Between Blurry and Sharp

Neither camera sports optical zoom stabilization (no optical image stabilization), but the TG-4 comes equipped with sensor-shift stabilization, which is a significant advantage for handheld shooting, especially at telephoto focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

If you’re shooting macro or in low-light scenarios - where shutter speed can drift - this sensor-shift mechanism helps reduce blur. Fuji’s lack of any stabilization means careful technique or a tripod is necessary for crisp capture at zoom or dim settings.

Macro Capability: Up Close and Personal

Macro photography is a niche where the TG-4 truly shines. Olympus boasts a minimum focus distance of just 1 cm, which allows for striking close-ups of insects, textures, and details. Its focus stacking and focus bracketing functionality, rare in compact waterproof cameras, offer creative depth-of-field control.

The Z33WP’s macro starts at roughly 8 cm - the difference might sound minor on paper but is quite noticeable during actual shooting. Detail resolution and AF precision at close range lean in Olympus’s favor.

Weather Sealing and Build Quality: Ready for the Elements

Both cameras are waterproof, but the tough line Olympus carries a more comprehensive protective kit. The TG-4 is:

• Waterproof to 15 meters (vs 3m for Fuji),
• Shockproof from drops up to 2.1 meters,
• Crushproof to 100 kgf,
• Freezeproof down to -10°C,
• Dustproof.

This ruggedness invites more demanding use cases like snorkeling, diving, mountaineering, or winter sports without extra housing.

The Fuji Z33WP only offers waterproofing; no specific dust or shock resistance is claimed. Build materials feel less robust, with a plastic shell prone to scratches under heavy use.

Video Features: Recording in the Real World

Video recording on the Fuji Z33WP is quite dated: it maxes out at 640x480 pixels at 30fps, saved in Motion JPEG format. This resolution limits practical uses beyond casual, nostalgic purposes.

The Olympus TG-4 steps up considerably with Full HD (1920x1080) at 30fps using efficient H.264 compression and options for 720p and 480p as well. While it doesn’t offer 4K, the video quality is sharp and stable, thanks to sensor-shift IS during recording.

Built-in flash modes extend to include an LED video light, beneficial in underwater or low-light video situations. Neither camera has external mic or headphone jacks, so audio remains limited to internal captures.

Time-lapse recording is absent on the Fuji but included on the TG-4, adding creative flexibility.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Conveniences

The Z33WP stands out by having an HDMI output and USB 2.0 port but misses wireless connectivity altogether. This limitation means post-shooting transfers must rely on cables or removing the SD card.

Olympus included built-in GPS in the TG-4, which automatically geotags images - a feature prized by travel and adventure photographers wanting location data without smartphone dependence. It lacks Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, though some later Tough series models added those.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC cards with one slot each. Fuji includes very limited internal storage, but the TG-4’s specification documents some internal flash memory as fallback.

Battery life is a stark contrast: no official CIPA rating for the Z33WP, but real-world usage suffers from small capacity NP-45 batteries. The TG-4’s Li-92B battery rates approximately 380 shots per charge under normal usage, better suited for extended outdoor shooting days.

Practical Performance Across Photography Genres

Fujifilm Z33WP front Fujifilm Z33WP screen back Olympus TG 4 front Olympus TG 4 screen back

Now, let’s break down how these cameras perform in specific photographic scenarios based on hands-on field tests.

Portrait Photography

TG-4’s superior sensor and face detection autofocus consistently yield better-rendered skin tones and sharper eyes. The wider aperture at 25mm (f/2.0) produces more appealing background separation than Fuji’s modest F3.7. The Z33WP’s lack of manual exposure adjustment limits creative control in challenging lighting.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution matter here. The TG-4’s 16MP sensor captures more detail and subtler tonal gradations. Weather sealing enables shooting in harsher conditions outdoors, a must for landscape shooters. Fuji’s CCD sensor and limited ISO/DR struggle with shadows and highlights retention.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed kills in these genres. Olympus’ fast autofocus, 5fps burst, and tracking afford capturing moving animals or athletes, whereas the Fujifilm is mostly inadequate beyond static subjects.

Street Photography

Surprisingly, the Fuji’s petite size makes it more pocketable and discreet, appealing to candid street shooters valuing light weight over performance. The TG-4 is bulkier but still compact enough for quick snapshots with tougher build quality.

Macro Photography

Olympus TG-4 dominates macro with impressive magnification and focus stacking. Fuji’s minimal macro capability cannot approach this level.

Night and Astro Photography

Both have limitations due to small sensors, but TG-4’s higher ISO ceiling and longer shutter capability make night shots more usable, although results remain best with tripods.

Video Usage

TG-4 is far better equipped for HD video capture and stabilization. Fuji is mainly for casual video or snippets.

Travel and Adventure Photography

TG-4 is the ultimate companion with extensive environmental sealing, GPS, reliable battery, and versatile lens. Fuji is good for occasional waterproof usage but lacks robustness and advanced features.

Professional Use

Neither camera fits into professional workflows given limited controls, small sensors, and absence of RAW in Fuji’s case. TG-4 supports RAW, slightly elevating its utility for serious enthusiasts.

Price-to-Performance Evaluation

Summary Scores and Final Verdict

The Olympus Tough TG-4 clearly leads with enhanced image quality, versatile features, comprehensive weather proofing, and better user experience. The Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP, while pioneering for its time, falls short in today’s standards beyond very casual use.

• Choose the Fuji FinePix Z33WP if you want a compact, simple waterproof camera to carry on light water outings or beach trips without fuss and don’t mind older technology or subpar image quality.

• Opt for the Olympus Tough TG-4 if you want ruggedness that can survive extended adventures, better images, and flexible shooting modes including macro and HD video with GPS tracking. It’s a practical investment for enthusiasts needing durability without stepping up to bulkier DSLRs or mirrorless setups.

My Testing Methodology and Final Thoughts

Throughout years of testing, I’ve found the ultimate value in comparing cameras across multiple real-life disciplines paired with controlled lab measurements like color accuracy, dynamic range, and autofocus latency. Both these cameras were subjected to identical shooting scenarios - underwater swims, forest hikes, macro shoots, and low-light indoor portraits - to assess responsiveness and image rendering.

The TG-4’s improvements are exactly why the Tough series is so renowned. It’s an amalgam of Fuji’s early waterproof approach refined with modern sensor technology, improved optics, and rugged engineering.

In closing: while the Fuji Z33WP might charm nostalgic or casual users who desire a waterproof memory keeper, for anyone serious about underwater or adventure photography, the Olympus Tough TG-4 remains a benchmark compact shooter that still holds its ground for value, build, and performance.

If you’re reading this considering your next gear purchase, weigh your intended use carefully. Budget cameras like the Z33WP can serve a purpose, but the TG-4 firmly sets the bar for trustworthy, capable imaging in unforgiving conditions.

Happy shooting, and may your next waterproof camera never hold you back from going off the beaten path!