Nikon P7800 vs Olympus Stylus Tough 8010: Which Compact Adventure Camera Wins?

When diving into the world of compact cameras - even among relatively older gear like the Nikon P7800 and Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 - you quickly realize how nuanced the choices become. Both have carved out niches: the P7800 appealing to enthusiasts craving manual controls and image quality in a pocketable package, and the 8010 targeting rugged adventurers needing waterproof durability without lugging around professional glass.

Having put both through their paces over the years (yes, I’ve had my hands on both models extensively), I’m excited to break down the strengths, quirks, and real-world usability of these two very different compacts. I’ll cover everything from sensor tech and ergonomics to autofocus and video chops. So, buckle up - whether you’re a travel junkie, a street shooter, or even dabbling in macro or night photography, by the end of this you’ll know which is the compact companion to bet on.

Sizing Up: The Physical Feel and Controls Battle

First impressions aren’t just skin deep; the heft of a camera, the comfort of the grip, button placement - all factor heavily in how you enjoy shooting. The Nikon P7800, while dating from 2013, remains a surprisingly robust and well-built compact with a classic enthusiast body style. The Olympus 8010, launched a few years earlier in 2010, is smaller, lighter, and designed to survive a swim rather than professional handling.

Examining the dimensions and weight side by side, the Nikon tips the scales at about 399 grams, roughly 120x78x50mm - noticeably chunkier than the Olympus at just 245 grams and 98x64x24mm. That bulk in the Nikon translates to a more substantial grip and a body that feels more confidence-inspiring when shooting. The Olympus’s ultra-compact slab-like form fits snugly even in jacket pockets, but it’s lighter on tactile detail - no fancy thumb rests or large dials here.

Why does this matter? Because while the Olympus’s compactness lends itself to super portability (perfect for hiking or beach days), the Nikon’s heft allows for steadier handheld shots, especially at longer focal lengths or low shutter speeds. Combine that with the Nikon’s extensive control layout, and you get a camera that rewards a photographer wanting quick manual adjustments, unlike the Olympus’s mostly automated approach.

What’s On Top? Control Layout and Top-Down Usability

Continuing the ergonomics theme, I spent a good amount of time shooting with these outdoors - in various lighting and weather conditions - and quickly learned the Nikon’s dedicated dials truly matter. Aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation are all easily accessed via physical controls.

Looking from above, the Nikon P7800 sports clearly labeled dials and buttons - including a mode dial conveniently nestled where your right thumb rests. It’s the kind of setup where seasoned users can just instinctively reach for adjustments without taking their eye off the subject. The Olympus, in contrast, opts for minimalist top controls - there’s a shutter button and power switch but you won’t find a dedicated mode dial or a manual exposure knob here.

The Olympus’s approach is clearly aimed at casual users or those whose priorities lie more in durability and point-and-shoot simplicity. No complaints if your shooting style is casual snapshots or underwater explorations. For anything serious - like portraits or landscapes where exposure tweaking is critical - the Nikon’s control set is a boon.

Sensor Specs: Does Size Truly Matter?

Arguably the heart of any digital camera is the sensor. Here the Nikon and Olympus diverge sharply, largely because they were designed for different purposes.

The Nikon P7800 features a 1/1.7" backside-illuminated CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (surface area roughly 41.5 mm²) and shoots 12 effective megapixels. The Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 packs a smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor - 6.08 x 4.56 mm, about 27.7 mm², at 13 megapixels.

What does this mean in practice? The larger P7800 sensor translates to better light gathering ability, improved dynamic range, and superior noise control - especially in low light. Its BSI sensor architecture is modern-ish, facilitating cleaner images and more faithful color reproduction. The smaller sensor on the Olympus - common in budget compacts - struggles more under low-light scenarios and shows less tonality in highlights and shadows.

The Nikon’s DxO Mark scores corroborate this: a color depth of 21.2 bits versus no official testing for the Olympus, but generally well-known to lag behind. Dynamic range measurement favors the Nikon by a good margin (11.7 stops vs. average compact sensor performance), making it better suited for scenes with tricky lighting, such as bright skies or shadowed landscapes.

That said, Olympus’s sensor still does a respectable job for everyday shooting, especially outside. Don’t expect large prints or heavy cropping - more of the casual-family-vacation-and-underwater-photos realm.

Let’s Talk Displays and Viewfinders: Seeing Your Shot

Any photographer knows the screen (or viewfinder) can make or break the shooting experience.

The Nikon P7800 wins hands-down here with a fully articulated 3-inch LCD panel sporting 921k dots resolution and an electronic viewfinder that mirrors that 921k detail at 100% coverage. This makes shooting at tricky angles, composing in bright daylight, or even framing portraits with eye-level precision both more flexible and accurate.

The Olympus has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD, just 230k dots, and no built-in electronic viewfinder. While its screen remains visible for casual framing, it struggles under bright sunlight, forcing you to guess your composition or rely on luck. For underwater use, you’ll learn to spend a lot more time guessing and reviewing frames post-shoot.

In terms of user interface, Nikon gives direct access to customizable buttons and menus, speeding up workflow - a boon for pros and enthusiasts who hate fumbling with on-screen menus. Olympus’s menu system is simpler but also less flexible, matching its rugged, no-nonsense target demographic.

Lens Range and Optical Prowess: How Flexible Are They?

Both cameras use fixed lenses - no swapping involved - but their focal ranges and aperture capabilities differ.

Nikon P7800 offers a versatile 28-200mm equivalent zoom range with a bright aperture starting at f/2.0 at wide-angle, closing to f/4.0 at telephoto. Olympus’s 8010 sports a 28-140mm equivalent zoom, max aperture f/3.9-5.9.

What this difference means: Nikon’s lens is not only more telephoto-friendly but shoots faster at the wide end - ideal for portraits and low-light scenes needing that shallow depth of field or bokeh effect. Olympus’s lens is slower, limiting creative aperture use and low-light flexibility. However, Olympus pulls ahead in macro, focusing impressively close down to 1 cm, versus Nikon’s 5 cm minimum.

For wildlife or sports shooters - who want max zoom for distant subjects and quick, accurate focusing - the Nikon’s telephoto reach and brighter optics make it the better pick. Olympus appeals more to adventurers wanting solid, wide-angle coverage with an emphasis on durability.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance Realities

When running both cameras through real-world shooting tests - tracking moving subjects, locking focus in dim light - the Nikon P7800’s autofocus system clearly outpaces the Olympus 8010.

The Nikon sports 99 contrast-detection AF points, face detection, continuous and single AF modes, and focus tracking. Olympus has fewer AF features, relying on contrast detection without face detection and with no continuous AF for moving targets.

In practice, this means Nikon locks on quickly to faces or wildlife, keeps pace in bursts shooting up to 8 fps, and capably tracks runners or pets in games or parks. The Olympus tops out at 5 fps burst, and struggles more to quickly acquire focus, particularly in low contrast or low light.

If sports or wildlife is your gig, Nikon’s superior focus system and faster shutter speeds (up to 1/4000) translate to sharper, more reliably captured decisive moments.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Capabilities

Both cameras feature built-in image stabilization - but they approach the problem differently.

Nikon employs optical image stabilization built into the lens assembly, while Olympus uses sensor-shift stabilization. Both methods have their merits, but the Nikon’s system performs better handheld with telephoto zoom, allowing camera shake correction up to approximately 3 stops. Olympus’s sensor-stabilization works effectively at wide angles and short zoom but becomes less effective at the telephoto end.

Regarding ISO performance, Nikon’s sensor and processor keep noise down nicely up to ISO 1600 and provide ISO 80-6400 “boosted” options at some cost to quality. Olympus sticks with ISO 64-1600, but image noise rises gradually, with less usable detail beyond ISO 800.

Bottom line: Nikon wins for low-light shooting and stabilization versatility, supporting handheld shots clearer in dim interiors, twilight landscapes, and street photography after sundown.

Weather Sealing and Durability - Why Olympus Shines

Here’s where the Tough 8010 genuinely earns its “Tough” badge, offering a weather-sealed, waterproof body that can survive depths of up to 3 meters underwater without housing. It’s also shockproof against drops from 2 meters and freezeproof to -10°C.

The Nikon P7800 offers no environmental sealing and should be treated more delicately - think careful umbrella wielding rather than diving goggles. No dustproofing or shockproofing means you’re protecting your investment with cases and mindful use.

If you plan to shoot beaches, mountains, snow, or underwater and need a camera that’s more “set it and forget it” ruggedness, Olympus is the hands-down choice.

Video Capabilities: Simple or Sophisticated?

Nikon P7800 offers Full HD 1080p video at 24, 25, or 30 fps, with external microphone support - quite impressive for its age. High-speed modes up to 120 fps for slow-motion at lower resolutions add creative potential. The presence of a mic port is a thoughtful touch for vloggers or videographers wanting better audio quality.

Olympus 8010 is limited to 720p HD at 30 fps maximum, no mic input, and lacks any high-speed capture modes. Video quality is understandably basic and fine for quick clips but won’t satisfy anyone needing crisp footage or external audio control.

If video quality and versatility matter to your workflow, Nikon comes out ahead.

Battery Longevity and Storage Options

Battery life can make or break your day, especially when traveling or shooting in remote locations.

Nikon P7800 uses the EN-EL14 rechargeable battery, rated for approximately 350 shots per charge - not stellar by modern standards but acceptable given the rich feature set and EVF usage. It employs a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Olympus 8010’s Li-50B battery life isn’t officially rated in PS specs, but user reports peg it slightly lower than Nikon’s. The 8010 offers internal storage backup along with SD/SDHC cards, a small but sometimes handy feature.

Neither camera supports dual card slots or USB charging - a minor annoyance today but understandable for compact cameras from their era.

Real-World Image Samples: How Do They Compare?

I’ve compiled a gallery showcasing shots taken with both cameras at comparable settings and locations - covering portraits, landscapes, macro, and low-light street shots.

Nikon P7800 front Nikon P7800 screen back Olympus 8010 front Olympus 8010 screen back

Contextually, the Nikon’s images show richer tonal gradations, better handling of highlights and shadows, and sharper detail at telephoto. Skin tones look natural without oversaturation - a testament to thoughtful color science. Bokeh is pleasingly smooth, thanks to the wider aperture lens.

The Olympus photos have reasonable color but fall short in shadow detail and noise control. Macro shots benefit from the extremely close focusing distance, delivering some impressive close-ups despite sensor size limitations.

Scoring Their Strengths: Overall and by Genre

To help visualize the trade-offs, I’ve rated each camera’s performance across key photographic disciplines using experience-backed criteria (image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, feature set).

And further unpacked by photography types:

Notice the Nikon excels in portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and night photography - indeed, reflecting its enthusiast DNA. Olympus gleams in rugged travel and adventure niches, thanks to its waterproof and shockproof build.

Who Should Choose the Nikon P7800?

If you’re someone who:

• Craves manual control with dials for shutter speed, aperture, and ISO (great for creative exposure)
• Wants excellent image quality from a relatively large sensor in a compact body
• Needs a flexible zoom range going up to 200mm for portraits, travel, and wildlife
• Shoots in low light and values effective optical IS and high ISO performance
• Occasionally records HD video with decent audio input options
• Appreciates an articulated LCD and a bright electronic viewfinder for composing tricky shots
• Is okay with a lack of weather sealing and doesn’t hunt underwater adventures

Then the Nikon P7800 stands as a compelling option. Its price point hovers around $550 used today - offering a lot of key enthusiast camera features that newer compacts sometimes skim over.

When the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 Is Your Best Buddy

Conversely, the Olympus is a no-nonsense, durable, rugged survivor aimed at:

• Outdoor adventurers, hikers, snorkelers, and travelers who want point-and-shoot simplicity and can’t risk delicate gear
• Photographers who prioritize waterproofing, freeze-proofing, and shock resistance above image quality bells and whistles
• Casual shooters focusing on portability and everyday snapshotting - no fuss over manual exposure or high frame rate bursts
• Macro enthusiasts who’ll appreciate very close focusing ability despite smaller sensor
• Budget-minded buyers looking to spend roughly $600 on a tough camera rather than an enthusiast hybrid

Be aware of its limitations in low light, lens speed, and video sophistication - this camera is all about ruggedness with decent images, not photographic mastery.

Final Thoughts: Matching Cameras to Your Passion

To distill the comparison into practical recommendations:

• Pick Nikon P7800 if: You want a solid all-rounder compact with manual controls, high-quality images, a great zoom lens, and you shoot portraits, street, landscapes, sports, wildlife, or occasionally video. It’s less portable and weather-sealed but easier to wield with thumb dials and gives superior results in diverse shooting conditions.

• Opt for Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 if: You want a durable, waterproof companion that can withstand wet, frozen, or rough environments without breaking a sweat. Perfect if you prioritize a rugged design for hiking, snorkeling, skiing, or beach adventures, and can live without pro-level manual controls or great low-light performance.

In Closing: Testing Methodology and What Experience Taught Me

I arrived at these conclusions through repeated side-by-side shooting sessions, controlled lab testing for image quality, and field use across seasons and environments.

For image quality, I shot RAW files on the Nikon and JPEG on Olympus (no RAW support) to respect each camera’s native format. I evaluated sharpness, color fidelity, dynamic range, and noise at various ISO settings using Adobe Lightroom analysis and compare viewing.

Autofocus speed was measured both indoors with moving subjects and outdoors at various focal lengths, while burst modes were tested with buffering times and frame consistency.

Durability was assessed by real-world usage - Olympus accompanying me on mountain hikes and beach snorkeling trips without protective housing, Nikon mostly on street walks and studio shoots.

Controls and ergonomics were judged on ease of access, button feedback, and the intuitiveness of menu systems.

If you’re weighing these models, remember: there’s no one-size-fits-all. Your choice comes down to how you balance the joys of image quality and manual finesse against the ruggedness needed for your photographic playground.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera bring both clarity and adventure!