Fujifilm X10 vs Olympus TG-810: An Expert’s Head-to-Head Review for Photography Enthusiasts

When seasoned enthusiasts and budding pros hunt for a compact camera that punches above its category, the Fujifilm X10 and Olympus TG-810 often surface in conversations. Released within roughly a year of each other, these two models target very different users - one with classic retro charm and advanced controls, the other designed to brave life’s messier, wetter adventures. I’ve spent substantial hands-on time with both, scrutinizing image quality, handling, autofocus, and more, across real-world environments.

Let’s get into it with a thorough exploration that uncovers how these cameras stack up for various photography genres and typical shooting scenarios, revealing which one deserves a spot in your bag - and why.

Getting a Feel: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Before we zoom into specs and image quality, the physical interaction with a camera is often your first and most lasting impression. Precision in manual dials and tactile feedback can’t be overstated, especially if you’re shooting long hours.

At first glance, the Fujifilm X10 is the bulkier sibling, roughly 117 x 70 x 57 mm and weighing 350 grams. Its solid, metal-clad body has a vintage aesthetic with analog dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation - a nod to classic rangefinders. The tactile control ring around the fixed lens enhances grip and creative control. In contrast, the Olympus TG-810 is a much more diminutive and featherlight rugged compact (100 x 65 x 26 mm, 215 grams), built for adventure rather than desktop nostalgia.

The TG-810’s rubberized, toughened casing screams outdoor durability - it’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even freezeproof, built to endure rough conditions. Ergonomically, it’s designed more for quick snaps on the move rather than slow, deliberate tweaking. The Fujifilm’s shallower grip and larger dimensions lend themselves to careful composition, while the TG-810 feels like the camera you grab to run, jump, splash, and keep shooting.

Seeing is Believing: Viewfinders and LCD Screens

A solid viewfinder or a quality LCD screen can make or break your shooting experience, especially in bright outdoors or low-light situations.

The Fujifilm X10 offers an optical viewfinder with approximately 85% frame coverage - not entirely perfect but helpful for quick framing and energy saving. The optical tunnel design is a bit old-school but effective, both when bright sunlight washes out the LCD and if you prefer the camera to your eye’s viewfinder.

Meanwhile, the TG-810 forgoes any viewfinder entirely. Its fixed 3-inch “HyperCrystal III” TFT LCD screen, boasting a high resolution of 920k dots, is the sole composing tool. It’s bright and fairly responsive, though in very bright sunlight it may struggle a bit without the benefit of an eyepiece. The X10’s 2.8-inch screen is smaller and lower-res at 460k dots but sufficient for framing, playback, and menu navigation.

For photographers who rely on evf or optical viewfinders, the X10’s inclusion is a valuable plus, delivering more immersive composition control, especially in landscapes or portraits.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photographs

The Fujifilm X10 boasts a 2/3-inch X-Trans CMOS sensor with a resolution of 12 MP, while the Olympus TG-810 carries a smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, but with slightly higher resolution at 14 MP. Sensor size often trumps megapixels in image quality potential, influencing noise levels, dynamic range, and depth-of-field control.

From tests using industry-standard workflows, the X10’s larger sensor area (58 mm² compared to 28 mm² in TG-810) facilitates superior results in dynamic range and low light. Its X-Trans filter - a Fuji specialty - works without a traditional optical low-pass filter, helping preserve sharpness and minimize moiré without sacrificing clarity. The TG-810’s older CCD chip lags behind here; it performs adequately in good light but struggles from ISO 800 upward with notable noise.

DXOMark’s scores reflect this clearly - X10’s overall score is 50, boasting approximately 11.3 EV dynamic range and a color depth of 20.5 bits. The TG-810 lacks formal DXO testing but real-world perusal shows reduced tonal latitude and faster drop-off in shadows and highlights.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Autofocus (AF) performance is critical not just in sports or wildlife but all active scenarios.

The Fujifilm X10 sports a contrast-detect AF system using up to 49 selectable zone points, alongside center and multi-area modes, and includes face detection for improved portrait accuracy. Continuous AF at 10 frames per second burst shutter mode is impressive given the sensor and processor.

Olympus’s TG-810 offers a simpler AF system – contrast detection with multi-area capabilities and face detection, but only single-shot AF. Burst shooting is limited to a mere 1 fps, which is a notable bottleneck if you shoot moving subjects.

In actual shooting on wildlife and street photography occasions, I found the X10 locks focus faster and more reliably - the more nuanced control over AF points and continuous focusing make it suitable for capturing fleeting expressions or action.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Flexibility vs Speed

Lens versatility often determines how a camera feels on location - not just the zoom, but aperture range, and close-focus distance.

The Fujifilm X10 employs a fixed 28-112mm equivalent lens (4x zoom) with fast apertures of f/2.0 to f/2.8, excellent for low-light and creative depth of field. The macro focus distance is a striking 1 cm, allowing extremely close shooting for fine detail and textures. Optical image stabilization mitigates handshake well, especially useful at telephoto or macro ranges.

Olympus TG-810’s 28-140mm equivalent lens offers a longer zoom range (5x) but lags in speed, with apertures ranging f/3.9 to f/5.9. Macro focusing starts at 3 cm, reasonable but less tight than the X10. Still, the TG-810’s sensor-shift stabilization works well, especially combined with the rugged body to steady shots in unpredictable environments.

Shooting Across Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

To aid your decision, here’s my breakdown of how each performs across key photography types:

Portrait Photography

Portraiture demands excellent skin tone rendition, flattering bokeh, and precise eye detection for sharpness. The X10 shines here - the larger sensor renders more natural tonal transitions and pleasing background blur, enhanced by the fast lens apertures. Face and eye AF work smoothly, locking with accuracy. The TG-810 does basic face detection but lacks the optical shallow depth of field to isolate a subject.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is king for landscapes - recovering detail from both shadows and highlights. The Fuji’s superior sensor and expandable ISO range perform better in varied lighting, producing rich, noise-free files for large prints. Plus, its build quality, while not weather-sealed, is sturdy enough for general travel landscapes. The Olympus, however, spells durability: waterproof and rugged enough for cliffside or beach environments where the X10 may hesitate.

Wildlife Photography

Speed and burst rate influence success here - X10’s 10 fps continuous shooting and reliable AF tracking make it a surprisingly competent wildlife companion in daylight. Olympus’ slow burst limits its candid shot capture, relegating it to more casual wildlife snaps. Also, neither camera’s zoom range competes with dedicated superzoom or mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras for long-distance work.

Sports Photography

Again, the X10 pulls ahead due to burst speed and more sensitive AF. The TG-810 simply can’t keep pace in fast-action scenarios. However, both will struggle in low-light sports arenas due to sensor limitations; pro-level APS-C or full-frame bodies are better here.

Street Photography

Surprisingly, both have pros: the X10’s classic styling and compact form invite discrete shooting; its viewfinder offers quick framing. The TG-810’s small size and weatherproofing make it perfect for outdoor street scenarios, especially rainy or dusty days. However, slower lenses and AF may hinder capturing decisive moments.

Macro Photography

The Fuji’s 1cm minimum focus distance outperforms the TG-810’s 3cm, enabling exquisite detail for insects and small subjects. Both have optical stabilization, but X10’s lens sharpness and sensor quality provide a clear edge.

Night / Astro Photography

In low-light and astro shooting, noise control and long exposures are vital. The X10 supports shutter speeds up to 1/4000 sec and down to 30 seconds, with ISO expandable to 12800 (albeit noisy at extremes). Though no specialized astrophotography features exist, it handles night scenes far better than the TG-810, which maxes out at ISO 1600 and 1/2000 sec shutter speed, limiting long exposure flexibility.

Video Capabilities

Video isn’t the highlight for either: the X10 delivers 1080p Full HD at 30fps with H.264 compression, while the TG-810 tops out at 720p HD. Neither supports external microphones, limiting audio quality. The Fuji’s video quality is notably sharper with better color fidelity, thanks to its sensor and processor.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

The Olympus TG-810’s ruggedness is its standout - it’s waterproof to 10m, dustproof, shockproof from 2m drops, and freezeproof down to -10°C. Adventure photographers will appreciate this resilience, particularly for biking, hiking, or snorkeling.

The Fujifilm X10, while solidly built with metal and a premium feel, lacks weather sealing. Care must be taken in adverse conditions - but if you value classic build and image quality over ruggedness, this is the price.

Ergonomics and User Interface: Handling the Details

The Fuji’s physical dials - a mechanical shutter speed dial, aperture ring control on the lens, and exposure compensation wheel - offer rapid adjustment without diving into menus, a big plus for enthusiasts wanting creative freedom. Menus are logical, and the 2.8-inch LCD adequately supports live view and playback.

The TG-810 lacks manual modes and physical dials, offering simple auto-focused and scene presets that cater to casual users preferring point-and-shoot ease, with straightforward button layouts. Its 3.0-inch, higher-res screen is a bright spot for navigation.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

Neither camera is interchangeable-lens. The Fujifilm X10’s fixed lens is excellent for versatile shooting but limits long-term optical growth. The TG-810’s lens is similarly fixed with greater zoom reach but slower and narrower apertures.

Photographers seeking upgrade paths or specialty lenses will look elsewhere - these models are for those prioritizing compactness or ruggedness over system extensibility.

Battery Life and Storage

The X10’s NP-50 battery yields roughly 270 shots per charge, slightly better than OG Olympus TG-810’s 220 shots with LI-50B. Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in single slots.

For serious outings, carrying spares is advisable on both, especially the TG-810 during extended water-based sessions.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Neither offers Bluetooth or NFC, though the TG-810 does support Eye-Fi card wireless connectivity, helping to transfer photos on the go.

Both have USB 2.0 for file transfer and HDMI ports for playback on large screens. The TG-810 features built-in GPS, handy for geotagging outdoor adventures, while the Fujifilm X10 lacks GPS entirely.

Price and Value Assessment

At approximately $600 retail, the Fujifilm X10 demands more but delivers a more refined photographic toolset in exchange. The Olympus TG-810, near $430, represents excellent value for rugged, casual shooters or travelers needing a durable camera that can handle environmental extremes.

Summing Up: Who Should Buy Which?

This isn’t an easy choice since these cameras cater to distinct needs and philosophies.

Choose the Fujifilm X10 if:

• You prioritize image quality, especially in portraits, landscapes, and low light.
• You want manual controls and precise exposure adjustment.
• You appreciate larger sensor benefits, better dynamic range, and macro capabilities.
• You require higher video resolution.
• You prefer a viewfinder along with the LCD.
• You mostly shoot in controlled or mild weather environments.

Pick the Olympus TG-810 if:

• You need a truly rugged camera that withstands water, dust, drops, and freezing temperatures.
• Your shooting style favors simple, quick operation without manual fiddling.
• You value GPS geotagging for travel or outdoor adventures.
• Extended zoom range and screen size are more important than shallow depth-of-field.
• You shoot casual snapshots or moderately challenging outdoor scenes.
• Price and portability are key considerations.

Fujifilm X10 front Fujifilm X10 screen back Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back

A direct comparison of sample shots shows the Fujifilm X10’s superior tonal gradations, sharper details, and color richness, especially in portrait and landscape shots. The TG-810 images tend toward softer edges but maintain respectable vibrancy. Under low-light conditions, the X10 maintains clarity, whereas the TG-810’s images degrade with noise and reduced detail.

The overall performance chart ratifies the Fuji’s image quality, speed, and manual control advantage, while highlighting the Olympus’s ruggedness and user-friendly interface. Some scores are comparable in autofocus and stabilization, though burst shooting speed strongly favors the X10.

Breaking down by genre, the Fujifilm X10 leads overwhelmingly in portrait, landscape, and wildlife contexts. Olympus TG-810 scores top marks under rugged and travel categories due to its environmental sealing and solid battery life.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Paths

Choosing between the Fuji X10 and Olympus TG-810 boils down to your priorities as a photographer.

If you yearn for thoughtful creative control, superb image quality, and a touch of retro charm, the X10 delivers those in spades - and it’s a joy to shoot with if you cherish manual dials and fast lenses.

Conversely, the TG-810 is your rugged, go-anywhere pal, less about finesse than about reliability when Mother Nature turns hostile. Perfect for outdoors enthusiasts, hikers, and casual shooters who want their camera ready for the unexpected.

I recommend handling them both if you can, considering your preferred style and shooting environments. Either way, you’ll enjoy a compact camera tailored to your unique photographic journey.

Have you used either of these cameras? I’d love to hear your experiences or questions - drop a comment below or join the discussion on my latest video walkthrough where I test these models side-by-side in the field. Happy shooting!