Nikon Coolpix S32 vs Olympus Stylus Tough 8010: A Deep Dive Into Two Rugged Compact Cameras

When it comes to waterproof compact cameras, options have historically skewed toward rugged point-and-shoots with limited manual control and modest imaging capabilities. Two contenders from the 2010s - the Nikon Coolpix S32 and the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 - exemplify this niche. Each is designed not just for casual underwater shots but also for tough outdoor use, promising durability and ease of use. Yet beneath their similar protective exteriors lie distinct philosophies and capabilities.

Having extensively tested rugged compacts in various conditions, I can attest that small choices in sensor size, autofocus tech, build quality, and ergonomics have outsized impacts on real-world usability and image quality. In this comparative analysis, I’ll break down everything from hardware design to shooting performance, and help you decide which - if either - is worth your hard-earned cash nearly a decade after their release.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

Hold It in Your Hands: Size and Handling Matter in the Field

Both cameras are clearly aimed at adventure seekers who might be underwater, skiing, or capturing quick snapshots on a hike. Naturally, size, weight, and ergonomics play huge roles here.

At first glance, the Nikon S32 feels more compact in hand with dimensions of 108 × 66 × 40 mm and a light 175 g weight (battery included). Its slightly chunky profile lends decent grip, which is nice when handling with wet or gloved hands. The body is also shockproof and freezeproof, with a 'crushproof' claim notably absent.

The Olympus 8010 is a hair smaller footprint-wise but notably slimmer at 98 × 64 × 24 mm, though heavier at 245 g. This extra weight often translates to a solid feel, something you appreciate when bouncing around rough terrain or underwater currents. It too boasts shockproof and freezeproof specs but lacks official dustproof certification.

Comparing top-down, Nikon’s layout feels minimalist, prioritizing simple point-and-shoot controls with limited buttons - great for beginners or parents gifting the camera to kids. Olympus offers more button options, including dedicated flash modes, which gives you better direct control but at a slight complexity cost.

The takeaway? If ultra-portability and straightforward operation are gold for you, Nikon is king. For those wanting a bit more tactile control and weight for stability, Olympus’s engineering inspires confidence.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Digging under the hood, image quality is profoundly influenced by sensor size and resolution - often overlooked specs that make a difference beyond megapixel counts.

The Nikon S32 utilizes a tiny 1/3" CCD sensor measuring 4.8 x 3.6 mm, delivering 13 megapixels at a maximum resolution of 4160×3120. Its sensor area clocks in at just 17.28 mm². This is minuscule by today’s standards and even among rugged compacts.

Olympus’s 8010 sports a larger 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, also 13 megapixels but at a slightly higher max resolution of 4288×3216. Here, the sensor area totals 27.72 mm² - roughly 60% larger than the Nikon's.

Why does this matter in practical terms? Larger sensors gather more light, meaning better dynamic range, richer color depth, and improved noise control at higher ISOs. The Olympus sensor’s boost should translate to better low-light usability and crisper landscape shots with less grain.

Both cameras are CCD-based, which offers nice color reproduction but can struggle with noise compared to modern CMOS sensors. Neither supports RAW capture or manual exposure controls, so you’re stuck with in-camera JPEGs processed with varying degrees of aggressiveness.

LCD and User Interface: The Window to Your Shot

With no viewfinders on either camera, the rear screen is critical for framing and reviewing images.

Both offer non-touch 2.7" 230k dot TFT LCDs, fairly standard for their era. Nikon’s LCD features an anti-reflection coating, an upgrade that makes it slightly easier to see in bright outdoor conditions. Olympus doesn’t specify coatings but in practice, its screen is a little less crisp due to the different panel technology.

Neither display supports touch input, which is increasingly unusual in modern compacts but understandable given their time frame and rugged intent.

The user interfaces reflect their design ethos: Nikon’s is straightforward and kid-friendly with minimal menus, while Olympus provides a bit richer exposure info and mode selection - still simple but slightly more detailed.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Hunting Down Your Moments

For fast action, wildlife, or spontaneous street shots, autofocus performance and burst capabilities heavily influence your success rate.

• Nikon S32 autofocus: Contrast-detection only, no manual focus or AF area selection. It has a center-weighted AF point with face detection. No continuous AF or tracking, so moving subjects can be tricky.

• Olympus 8010 autofocus: Also contrast-detection but with multi-area and single AF options, plus AF tracking that improves follow-through on moving subjects.

Both cameras shoot at a maximum 5 fps burst speed, which is decent but without deep buffer capacities.

In real-life testing, the Olympus felt more responsive - locking focus more frequently in dim environments and on erratically moving subjects. The Nikon’s AF sometimes seemed sluggish or “hunt-y,” frustrating for fast wildlife or kids on the move.

Lens Characteristics and Optical Quality: Zooms That Cover the Bases

These fixed-lens cameras have modest optical zooms, but focal ranges and apertures differ notably.

• Nikon S32: 30-90 mm equivalent (3× zoom) with maximum aperture f/3.3–5.9.
• Olympus 8010: 28-140 mm equivalent (5× zoom) with maximum aperture f/3.9–5.9.

Olympus’s longer zoom reaches telephoto territory useful in wildlife or sports snapshots, whereas Nikon’s tighter zoom better suits casual shooting or portraits.

Aperture ranges mean both struggle in low light at the telephoto end but Olympus slightly more limited on wide-angle brightness. Depth of field control is minimal on both, unsurprisingly for cameras with small sensors and modest apertures.

Olympus’s additional splash of optical focal length flexibility is a measurable advantage for those wanting more reach without a separate teleconverter.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Built for Trouble?

Both cameras tout waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof design elements - crucial for travel and adventure photography.

• Nikon S32: Waterproof to unspecified depths (marketing usually touts around 10m), plus freeze and shock resistance.
• Olympus 8010: Waterproof to 3m, shockproof from 2m drops, freezeproof to -10°C, but no dustproof claims.

Despite the S32’s lighter build, it stands up well in pool and snow tests I've conducted, but Olympus’s more robust physical construction lends it better confidence for repeated outdoor abuse.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures That Don’t Shake

Video takes a backseat on both cams but is worth noting for casual shooters.

• Nikon S32: Full HD 1080p (30 fps) video in MPEG-4/H.264, no mic/headphone input, digital image stabilization.
• Olympus 8010: HD 720p (30 fps), same formats, includes sensor-shift stabilization which is mechanically superior and reduces shake more effectively.

Neither camera is suitable for serious videography but for quick clips underwater or hiking, Olympus’s steadier footage and HDMI out have a slight edge. Nikon’s higher resolution video is attractive but marred by less effective stabilization.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can the Fun Last?

Both use proprietary lithium-ion batteries with limited capacity.

• Nikon S32: EN-EL19 battery rated for approximately 220 shots per charge.
• Olympus 8010: Li-50B battery rating unspecified but generally similar or better due to larger size.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Olympus even offers 36MB of internal storage - a tiny safety net if you forget a card.

If you’re on longer expeditions, be prepared with spares regardless.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences or Vintage Limitations?

Neither camera supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS - reflecting their age and rugged positioning. Olympus’s HDMI port is notable for connecting to external displays, which Nikon lacks. Both have USB 2.0 for data transfer only.

No RAW or manual modes means these cameras are mostly automatic shooters relying on in-camera JPEG processing - something to keep in mind if you like post-processing flexibility.

Image Samples and Real-World Results: The Proof Is in the Pixels

Field testing both cameras side-by-side across portrait, landscape, and outdoor use:

Nikon S32 front Nikon S32 screen back Olympus 8010 front Olympus 8010 screen back

• Portraits: Nikon’s face-detection simplifies capturing kids and family snapshots with a softer bokeh effect, thanks to tight zoom and faster aperture at wide-angle. Olympus delivers crisper details but less flattering background blur.

• Landscapes: Olympus’s larger sensor and higher resolution shine here, capturing more dynamic range and sharper fine details, notably in textured foliage and shadow areas.

• Wildlife and action: Olympus’s longer zoom and better AF tracking helped lock on birds in flight more frequently than Nikon’s single-center AF.

• Low light: Olympus marginally outperforms Nikon at ISO 400-800 with less noise and better details.

The Nikon fares reasonably well as a fun, approachable waterproof camera for snapshots but Olympus is the more versatile imaging tool.

Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability: What Does Each Camera Serve Best?

• Portraits: Nikon 7/10 - Easy operation and face detection ideal for casual family use.
• Landscape: Olympus 8.5/10 - Larger sensor and better optics produce superior image quality here.
• Wildlife: Olympus 8/10 - Telephoto reach plus better AF tracking provide an edge.
• Sports: Tie 6.5/10 - Limited burst and AF; only suitable for casual action snaps.
• Street: Nikon 7/10 - Smaller size and fewer buttons aid discreet shooting.
• Macro: Olympus 8/10 - 1cm minimum focus distance enables closer detail shots.
• Night/Astro: Neither excels, but Olympus slightly better for low light ISO.
• Video: Nikon 6.5/10 - Full HD video is nice but stabilization lags.
• Travel: Olympus 7.5/10 - More robust build and zoom versatility.
• Professional: Neither suitable due to lack of RAW, manual control.

Bringing It All Together: Recommendations for Different Users

• For Families and Casual Users: The Nikon Coolpix S32 is a no-fuss, splash-ready shooter with kid-friendly handling, good face detection, and decent full-HD video. Ideal poolside or for hiking without fuss.

• For Enthusiast Outdoorspeople: The Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 offers superior optics, sensor size, and versatility. It handles more demanding shooting scenarios, affords better image quality, and is slightly more ruggedly built. Great for serious hikers, casual wildlife watchers, or travel adventurers who want a weatherproof backup.

• For Photography Purists: Neither camera is a real option - sensor size, manual control, and RAW absence limit creative flexibility.

Final Thoughts: Investing Wisely in Weatherproof Photography

While both cameras remain relevant as budget-friendly waterproof compacts, their age shows. The Nikon S32 embraces simplicity and child-friendly design, making it charming but limited. The Olympus 8010, though older, is the smarter choice for image quality and shooting control in a rugged package.

If you’re new to rugged cameras or want a simple “point-and-shoot that survives the pool,” Nikon delivers with minimal fuss. For a more flexible rugged shooter with better photos in varied conditions, Olympus holds up surprisingly well and is worth hunting for used.

This classic camera face-off highlights how small differences in sensor size, autofocus sophistication, and zoom range define photographic capability in rugged compacts. Knowing your shooting priorities and environment makes picking between them more straightforward - and that, after all, is what good camera reviews are for.

Happy shooting, rain or shine!