Kodak M320 vs Olympus TG-870: A Hands-On Comparison for the Practical Photographer

When diving into the world of ultracompact cameras, you often walk a fine line between portability, image quality, and feature set. Today, we pit two distinct offerings against each other - the entry-level Kodak EasyShare M320 launched back in 2009 and the rugged, feature-rich Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 released in 2016. Both cameras target ultraportable enthusiasts but come from vastly different times and design philosophies.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’ll take you beyond the spec sheet to reveal how these two hold up in real-world shooting. Whether you’re a beginner on a budget, a traveler craving durability, or a hobbyist exploring creative photography genres, this deep dive will help you decide which camera fits your journey best.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build

Physical size and ergonomics comparison

At a glance, both cameras boast compact, pocketable designs but differ in their durability and handling.

• Kodak M320: Super lightweight at just 155g and slim dimensions (97x60x21 mm), it nestles easily in any pocket or purse. Its plastic construction and minimal control buttons reflect its budget-friendly, entry-level intent.
• Olympus TG-870: Heftier at 221g and larger (113x64x28 mm), its robust body screams rugged. Certified waterproof (up to 15 meters), shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof, this camera is designed for adventure photographers who don’t want to worry about the elements.

Ergonomically, the TG-870 has a pronounced grip and textured surfaces that make it easier to hold in challenging conditions. The M320’s form factor suits casual, quick snaps but might feel a bit fragile with extended use or active shooting.

Design and Control Layout: Usability at a Glance

Top view design and control layout comparison

User interface and control placement greatly influence your shooting flow.

• Kodak M320 offers a straightforward layout with minimal buttons and a small power/shutter combo on top. Without manual exposure controls or external dials, it leans heavily on automatic modes. This simplicity is friendly for absolute beginners but limits creative flexibility.
• Olympus TG-870 features more dedicated buttons - for flash, drive modes, and easy menu access - that speed up adjustments on the go. It lacks a touchscreen but makes up for it with a tilting LCD for shooting at different angles, a big plus for vloggers and macro shooters.

With real-world testing, the TG-870’s buttons and rubberized build provided more confidence when shooting fast-moving or outdoor subjects, while the M320 sometimes felt too basic for complex scenes.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Sensor specifications and image quality discussion

Let’s unpack the image quality differences by analyzing sensor technology and resolution.

Kodak M320’s CCD sensor was designed for moderate daylight shooting only. Its 9-megapixel resolution suffices for casual prints and social media sharing but starts to show noise and softness in low light or when cropping.

Olympus TG-870’s BSI-CMOS sensor brings a 16MP advantage, along with much improved low-light capability thanks to back-side illumination. This results in clearer images with less noise at higher ISOs and better dynamic range - vital when shooting landscapes or night scenes.

While neither camera supports RAW output - which inhibits serious post-processing - the TG-870 delivers better JPEG quality with more detail retention and vibrant colors. For photographers familiar with sensor behavior, the jump from CCD to BSI-CMOS here is quite significant.

LCD Screens and Live View Experience

LCD screen and interface comparison

The LCD is your window to the scene. Here, the TG-870 sets a higher bar.

The M320’s 2.7-inch screen with low resolution can feel cramped and less sharp, making it hard to check focus or fine details on your photos. Meanwhile, the TG-870’s bigger, higher-res tilting screen allows you to shoot comfortably from low or high angles, which is especially useful for street, macro, and video shooting.

The tilting feature combined with crisp iconography on the TG-870’s interface enhances user interaction and reduces eye strain during extended shooting sessions.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed You Can Depend On

Autofocus technology has evolved considerably between the two cameras.

The M320’s single-shot AF with contrast detection is slow and sometimes hunts in dim environments. It lacks face or eye detection, so portraits can require patience and manual framing.

The TG-870 shines with continuous autofocus modes and face detection, keeping moving subjects sharp. Its ability to shoot at 7 frames per second helps capture fleeting action - useful in sports or wildlife photography where timing is crucial.

While the TG-870 doesn’t have phase detection AF (favored by professionals), its enhanced contrast and algorithmic improvements make it reliable for street and quick-event shooting.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: What’s In Your Frame?

The Kodak’s fixed lens with a 3x zoom falls short for wide-angle shooting, which can limit your framing options especially in tight spaces or landscapes.

Conversely, the Olympus TG-870 offers a more versatile 5x zoom starting at 21mm equivalent, excellent for capturing architectural interiors, sweeping landscapes, or group shots. However, its narrower aperture means less light gathering capacity compared to Kodak’s slightly faster lens wide open.

For close-up and macro photographers, the TG-870’s impressively close 1 cm focusing distance enables extreme closeups of flowers, insects, or textures - a significant advantage over the Kodak.

Built-In Flash and Low Light Handling

Low-light photography is where the TG-870 clearly excels. Its higher ISO ceiling combined with optical image stabilization (more on that soon) enables cleaner shots with less blur. The Kodak’s relatively narrow ISO range limits its use in dim environments.

While the Kodak’s flash is basic, the Olympus includes a LED illuminator - perfect for macro work or video fill lighting, providing more creative control in challenging light.

Stabilization: Keeping Your Shots Steady

The Kodak M320 has no image stabilization, making handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds risky. Blurry images indoors or at night are common without a tripod.

The Olympus TG-870 incorporates optical image stabilization, effectively compensating for handshake and allowing slower shutter speeds without ruining sharpness. This is a critical feature often overlooked in ultracompacts but invaluable for travelers and low-light shooters.

Video Capabilities: Moving Beyond Photos

If you want to explore video, the TG-870 clearly leads. Full HD recording at smooth 60fps delivers professional-grade clip quality on the go. The Kodak’s low-resolution VGA video is sufficient for casual clips but won’t satisfy content creators.

The TG-870 also supports timelapse, increasing your creative options for nature or cityscapes. Lack of microphone input is limiting, but the camera’s solid inbuilt mic and HDMI output help in straightforward productions.

Environmental Resistance: Ready for Adventures

The Kodak M320 provides no weather sealing or shockproofing, so careful handling is required.

The Olympus TG-870 is purpose-built for harsh conditions:

• Waterproof up to 15 meters (50 feet)
• Shockproof from 2.1 meters (7 feet)
• Crushproof to 100 kgf (kilogram-force)
• Freezeproof to -10°C (14°F)

This makes the TG-870 an ideal companion for hikers, snorkelers, and extreme sports enthusiasts who want a camera that won’t quit in unpredictable environments.

Battery Life and Storage

The Kodak’s unspecified low-capacity battery means frequent recharging if you’re shooting extensively. The TG-870, with its proprietary lithium-ion pack, offers a decent 300 shots per charge, which is average but sufficient for day trips.

Both cameras use common SD card formats, but the TG-870 supports SDXC cards, allowing plenty of storage for high-resolution photos and videos.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Connected and Flexible

• Kodak M320 offers basic USB 2.0 data transfer with no wireless options. This makes quick sharing or remote shooting impossible.
• Olympus TG-870 includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. Wi-Fi lets you transfer images directly to smartphones or tablets, a boon for social media sharers. GPS tagging stores location metadata, enhancing your travel photography workflow.

The TG-870’s HDMI port allows connecting to external displays - a feature the Kodak lacks.

Comprehensive Usage Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography:

• Kodak M320: Limited by lack of face detection and slower autofocus, producing softer skin tones due to basic sensor and JPEG processing.
• Olympus TG-870: Advanced AF with face detection and higher resolution enables sharper portraits with better color reproduction.

Landscape Photography:

• Kodak M320: Sensor resolution and dynamic range limitations restrict landscape detail and highlight retention.
• Olympus TG-870: Wider zoom, better sensor performance, plus weather sealing make it a versatile landscape tool.

Wildlife & Sports:

• Kodak M320: No continuous AF or high burst speed – unsuitable for fast action.
• Olympus TG-870: 7 fps burst, AF tracking, and ruggedness make it respectable for casual wildlife or sports.

Street & Travel:

• Kodak M320: Ultra-light and pocketable for casual snapshots but fragile.
• Olympus TG-870: More robust with better zoom and stabilization for diverse street and travel scenarios.

Macro Photography:

• Kodak M320: Minimal macro capability with 10 cm focus distance.
• Olympus TG-870: Outstanding 1 cm macro focusing distance and tilting screen offer creative freedom.

Night/Astro:

• Kodak M320: Limited ISO range and no stabilization hinder low-light performance.
• Olympus TG-870: Higher ISO and optical stabilization support better night shots.

Video Recording:

• Kodak M320: Basic VGA clips adequate only for casual home use.
• Olympus TG-870: Full HD 60p video with timelapse caters well to videographers on the move.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Photo Comparisons

Kodak M320 front Kodak M320 screen back Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back

Examining these samples, you’ll notice:

• The TG-870’s images retain more detail and vibrancy, especially in shadows and highlights.
• The Kodak M320’s output is softer with occasional noise creeping in at ISO 800+.
• Macro shots from the TG-870 showcase impressively sharp and clean results compared to the Kodak’s limited reach.

Overall Performance Ratings and Verdict

While both cameras serve as ultracompact solutions, the Olympus TG-870’s superior sensor technology, advanced autofocus, video capabilities, image stabilization, and rugged design place it well ahead in versatile real-world use.

The Kodak M320’s strengths lie mainly in:

• Ultra-affordable price (~$39 new, now discontinued)
• Simplicity and lightweight design for absolute beginners or casual users

The Olympus TG-870 appeals to:

• Outdoor enthusiasts and travelers seeking durability
• Photographers wanting flexibility with zoom, macro, and video
• Users who appreciate convenience features like Wi-Fi and GPS

Putting It All Together: Which Should You Choose?

Final Thoughts

While the Kodak M320 represents a snapshot of early compact camera design - ideal for casual point-and-shooters - the Olympus TG-870 demonstrates clear advancements in sensor tech, rugged construction, and user-focused features. If you crave a reliable, all-round ultracompact camera with versatility and durability, the TG-870 remains a commendable choice even years after release.

Both cameras remind us that buying the right tool depends on your creative goals and environment. If you’re just getting started or want a lightweight secondary camera, the Kodak may suffice. But for serious travel, nature, or multimedia enthusiasts, the Olympus provides a more future-proof platform.

Before purchasing, I encourage you to handle each camera personally if possible. Feel their ergonomics, browse sample images relevant to your style, and consider the accessories and lenses you might pair. With the right ultracompact companion, every photo session - whether urban stroll or mountain trek - becomes a more fulfilling creative adventure.

Happy shooting!

Looking for more insights?

Check out the detailed technical specs and hands-on tutorials for rugged ultracompacts. Experiment with timelapse and macro photography on the TG-870 to unlock its full potential. Or, if you’re on a super-tight budget, give the Kodak a spin as an entry-level introduction to digital photography basics.

For detailed additional comparisons and professional reviews, feel free to reach out or explore the latest camera testing platforms.