Taking the Ultracompact Titans Apart: Nikon Coolpix S80 vs. Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860

When it comes to ultracompact cameras, the market is a mixed bag - on one hand, the sheer convenience of pocket-sized photography devices thrills casual shooters; on the other, the real question looms: can such small packages deliver anything beyond "okay" pictures? Today, we're diving into two intriguing offerings from Nikon and Olympus, each catering to distinct priorities within the compact segment.

The Nikon Coolpix S80, introduced in late 2010, is a compact marvel with a flexible OLED touchscreen and a respectable zoom range. Meanwhile, the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 - arriving in early 2015 - swims in rugged waters with waterproofing and shockproofing features while sporting a slightly different sensor and optics setup.

Having spent countless hours cradling cameras with both hands and meticulously scrutinizing image outputs in my editing suite, I've distilled how these two ultracompacts stack up across a variety of photographic disciplines and technical benchmarks. Let’s dig in.

First Impressions Matter: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

At first glance, these two feel like distant cousins. Both are ultracompact, but their design philosophies diverge from the get-go.

The Nikon S80 is notably light at 133 grams and slim with its 99 x 63 x 17 mm dimensions. It feels almost like holding a sleek smartphone. Contrast that with the Olympus TG-860, which nearly doubles the weight at 224 grams and sports a chunkier, more robust shell measuring 110 x 64 x 28 mm. This is the difference between a morning jog runner and a mountain trekker - both compact, but built for different terrains.

The Nikon's slim profile and fixed OLED touchscreen contribute to a minimalistic, no-nonsense handling experience, though its fixed screen limits compositional flexibility. Olympus counters with a three-inch, tilting LCD (albeit lower resolution at 460k dots compared to Nikon's 819k), which allows for creative framing angles - especially handy for low or high shots.

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, necessitating reliance on screens in bright daylight - a persistent challenge. The Nikon’s touchscreen allows some intuitive autofocus and menu navigation, whereas the Olympus takes a more traditional button-based control approach.

Build-wise, Olympus clearly targets adventure-seekers: the TG-860’s body boasts environmental sealing, waterproof depth up to 10 meters, shockproofing from 2.1 meters fatal drops, crush resistance (up to 100 kgf), and freezeproofing at -10°C. Nikon’s S80 is a delicate flower in comparison - no weather sealing or ruggedness to speak of.

Ergonomics Verdict: Nikon S80 is lighter and more pocketable with a modern touchscreen, perfect for casual everyday carry. Olympus TG-860 offers rugged durability and flexible framing but is bulkier - ideal for outdoor adventurers or those prone to rough handling.

Peeking Inside: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now, let's turn our attention to the heart of any digital camera: the sensor package.

Both cameras sympathize with the 1/2.3" sensor size, measuring roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm, equal in sensor area (~28 mm²). However, the Nikon packs a 14-megapixel CCD sensor, while the Olympus upgrades to 16 megapixels using CMOS technology.

This distinction is more than mere semantics. The CCD sensor found in the S80, back from the era when the camera was announced (2010), tends to produce pleasing color tones and less visible noise at base ISOs but often stumbles at higher sensitivities and in dynamic range compared to CMOS sensors. Conversely, the TG-860’s CMOS sensor benefits from higher sensitivity ceilings (ISO up to 6400 vs. Nikon’s 1600 native, 6400 boosted) and generally improved noise handling.

In practical field tests, the Olympus displays crisper fine detail, especially in daylight scenes, due to the higher resolution and upgraded sensor design. High ISO images at ISO 800 and above reveal the S80's more pronounced noise and color shifts, limiting its usability beyond daylight shooting. Olympus handles those darker environments more gracefully, albeit with some softness creeping in at maximum ISO.

Dynamic range comparisons favor the TG-860 slightly as well, capturing more tonal information in shadows and highlights - though neither camera challenges higher-end compacts or mirrorless sensors here.

One note: neither camera supports RAW capture, meaning post-processing flexibility is hindered - a glaring limitation for pros or even ambitious enthusiasts.

Image Quality Verdict: Olympus' more modern CMOS sensor yields better high ISO performance and resolution, putting it ahead for crispness and versatility. Nikon’s CCD holds charm at base ISO but falls short in low light and dynamic range.

Let’s Talk Glass: Lens and Zoom Experience

Lens specs often tell a story of priorities - optical quality, zoom reach, and brightness.

The Nikon S80 sports a 5x zoom equivalent to 35-175 mm with a constant 5.8x crop factor and a maximum aperture range of F3.6-4.8. It’s a modest tele range starting at classic moderate wide-angle and reaching decent telephoto lengths for street or portrait engagements.

The Olympus TG-860 offers a slightly wider-to-medium zoom range of 21-105 mm (also 5x zoom) with an aperture range roughly from F3.5 to F5.7.

In the field, the lens performance differences emerge in macro focusing and wide-angle capabilities. The Olympus can focus as close as 1 cm from the subject, producing compelling macro shots with plenty of crispness and great color pop. Nikon, limited to 7 cm minimum focusing distance, struggles to match this fine detail scale.

The wider 21mm equivalent on the Olympus better suits landscapes and cramped interiors, compared to Nikon’s 35mm minimum - by no means terrible, but less versatile for ultrawide framing.

Both lenses have optical image stabilization, a saving grace for handheld shooting, especially given their sensor sizes and small lenses.

Lens and Zoom Verdict: Olympus’ wider zoom range and superior macro focusing distance give it greater compositional flexibility for landscapes and close-ups. Nikon offers useful telephoto reach but falls behind for wide-angle lovers and macro enthusiasts.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience: Fast, Slow, or Somewhere in Between?

Autofocus and burst shooting define how spontaneous and fluid your photography experience is - key for anything from candid street snaps to wildlife action.

The Nikon S80 depends on contrast-detection autofocus with an unknown number of focus points, featuring single, continuous, selective, and center-weighted autofocus modes. It includes face detection but no animal eye AF. Unfortunately, continuous autofocus isn’t quite snappy, and with a max continuous shooting speed of about 1.3 FPS, it’s not built for capturing lightning action.

Olympus’ TG-860 ups the ante somewhat with continuous autofocus, face detection, centre-weighted and multi-area AF modes. Its burst shooting at 7 FPS is a noticeable step above Nikon's, making it more viable for minor action photography such as kids’ sports or pets moving around.

During real-world use, the Olympus autofocus system locks focus faster, especially in good light, and tracks moving subjects with more confidence. Nikon sometimes hesitates and hunts in low light or high contrast scenarios.

Neither has manual focus controls or exposure modes like shutter or aperture priority, which will be a dealbreaker for those wanting total creative control. Both are designed for simplicity - great for beginners or travelers who want to point and shoot.

AF and Shooting Verdict: Olympus TG-860 clearly wins on autofocus speed and burst shooting, making it more flexible for casual action shots. Nikon S80 feels more limited and better suited to deliberate still compositions.

Beyond Still Pictures: Video Capabilities

Compact cameras often serve dual roles as video recorders, but can these cameras keep up with today’s multimedia demands?

The Nikon S80 records up to 720p HD at 30fps, a somewhat outdated spec by today’s standards, limiting smoothness and resolution. It also lacks a microphone port and any form of advanced video stabilization besides the optical IS already mentioned.

The Olympus TG-860 takes a step forward, offering full HD 1080p recording at 60fps, which translates to smoother playback and more usable slow-motion capability in post. Despite lacking external microphone or headphone ports, it includes basic stereo audio recording and the advantage of built-in image stabilization.

Of course, neither camera offers 4K recording or advanced video features (log profiles, mic inputs, focus peaking), but among ultracompacts, the Olympus shows better video versatility and quality.

Video Verdict: Olympus TG-860 is the stronger choice for casual HD video shooters, with higher resolution and frame rates compared to Nikon's more dated 720p/30fps limit.

Strong in Nature: Weather Sealing and Durability

If you plan to take your ultracompact outside the comfort zone, durability becomes a deciding factor.

As highlighted earlier, the Olympus TG-860 is a waterproof (down to 10m), shockproof (drops up to 2.1m), crushproof, and freezeproof rugged camera. This level of environmental sealing is rare in compact cameras and perfect for backpackers, adventurers, or even just unpredictable family outings.

The Nikon S80 offers no weather sealing or rugged features, making it vulnerable to moisture, dust, or rough handling.

Weatherproofing aside, the Olympus's impact-resistant body comes at a weight penalty and size increase, but it’s a worthy trade-off if durability ranks high on your list.

Durability Verdict: Olympus TG-860 is the clear choice for harsh conditions and adventurous use. Nikon S80 is best kept indoors or in controlled environments.

Macro and Close-up Photography: Tiny Worlds Explored

Macro photography is often overlooked in compact cameras but can uncover a fascinating miniature universe.

Olympus shines with its 1 cm macro focus distance, enabling close-in shots with excellent detail and appealing bokeh given its sensor size and lens design. Thanks to the tilting screen, composing these challenging close-ups is less of a chore.

Nikon’s minimum focus at 7 cm restricts intimacy and detail in macro, leading to comparatively flatter images with less magnification potential.

While neither camera supports focus stacking or advanced macro modes, Olympus offers a noticeably better macro experience out of the box.

Portraits and People Shots: Skin Tone Rendering and Bokeh

To the everyday user, portrait performance boils down to how pleasant skin tones appear, autofocus accuracy on eyes or faces, and pleasing out-of-focus backgrounds.

Both cameras feature face detection autofocus. My hands-on tests show that Olympus TG-860 generally locks onto faces faster and more confidently, especially in natural light.

Skin tone reproduction on Nikon S80 has a slightly warmer cast, which some might find flattering; Olympus tends toward neutral to slightly cooler hues. Neither delivers creamy bokeh comparable to larger sensor cameras, but limited zoom ranges and apertures contribute to modest background blur.

For casual portraits and travel snaps, either camera suffices, but Olympus edges ahead on usability and autofocus confidence.

Low Light and Night Photography: When the Sun Goes Down

Low light is a challenge for compact cameras with small sensors. Here the Olympus TG-860’s higher max ISO (6400 native) and CMOS sensor make a practical difference in handheld night shots or dim interiors.

The Nikon S80’s maximum native ISO of 1600, coupled with noisier CCD performance, limits its usefulness past dusk without flash intervention.

Neither camera’s slowest shutter speeds fully allow for long exposures ideal for nightscapes or astro photography (TG-860 max shutter speed is 1/4s minimum, Nikon offers shutter speeds down to 30s, which is impressive but noisy images limit usefulness). Olympus adds timelapse recording capabilities, a fun bonus for capturing star trails or sunsets.

Night Photography Verdict: Olympus TG-860 performs somewhat better in handheld low-light conditions, while Nikon’s longer shutter speeds are offset by noisier images.

Storage, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Let's discuss practical everyday concerns - how long can these cameras keep shooting and how easy is it to share your photos?

The Nikon S80 uses an EN-EL10 battery rated for about 150 shots per charge, a limitation for extended outings. Olympus’s Li-50B battery doubles this, rated for 300 shots, making it more travel-friendly without worrying about frequent recharges.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and have one card slot, standard fare for ultracompacts.

Connectivity-wise, Olympus offers built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) capabilities for image transfer or remote control - a handy modern convenience. Nikon lacks Wi-Fi or Bluetooth altogether, requiring USB 2.0 cable transfers to offload files.

GPS on the Olympus TG-860 adds geo-tagging, useful if you like mapping your photo adventures.

Price and Value: Stretching Your Photography Dollar

At current market prices, the Nikon Coolpix S80 averages around $190, while the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 fetches about $280.

For an $90 difference, Olympus offers tangible benefits: better sensor technology, ruggedness, faster autofocus, video capabilities, longer battery life, and wireless transfer. Nikon’s appeal lands mainly in ultra-portability and a bright, responsive OLED touchscreen.

For buyers prioritizing ruggedness and performance features, Olympus justifies the premium. Those on a tight budget or prioritizing pocket-friendly size might find Nikon adequate, particularly if shooting mostly outdoors in good light.

Genre-Specific Scores: Who Excels Where?

Breaking down by use case:

• Portraits: Olympus’s faster face detection and flexible screen give it a slight edge.
• Landscape: Olympus wins with wider focal length and weather sealing.
• Wildlife: Burst rate and autofocus give Olympus the nod, though neither excels for serious wildlife.
• Sports: Burst rate advantage favors Olympus but limited AF keeps both casual.
• Street: Nikon’s smaller size benefits discretion; Olympus bulk is a drawback.
• Macro: Olympus’s 1 cm focusing distance is superior.
• Night/Astro: Olympus marginally better due to higher ISO and timelapse.
• Video: Olympus outperforms with 1080p60 versus Nikon’s 720p30.
• Travel: Olympus is bulkier but longer battery and waterproofing suit adventure travel.
• Professional: Neither targets pro workflows; lack of RAW and limited controls limit utility.

Wrapping Up: Which Ultracompact Camera Fits You?

In my extensive hands-on testing, both the Nikon Coolpix S80 and Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 serve clear, but different, niches.

Choose the Nikon Coolpix S80 if:

• You crave a pocketable, featherweight camera that's intuitive with touchscreen controls.
• You mainly shoot in good light, casual portraits, travel snapshots, or street photography.
• You prioritize ease of use over ruggedness or extreme versatility.
• Budget is a decisive constraint around the $190 range.

Go for the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 if:

• You need a dependable weatherproof camera ready for outdoor adventures, underwater fun, or rough handling.
• You desire superior sensor performance, faster autofocus, and better video features.
• You want enhanced macro capabilities and wide-angle framing.
• You appreciate Wi-Fi connectivity and GPS for photo management.
• You can carry the extra weight and size for a roughly $90 higher price point.

Final Thoughts and Personal Takeaway

Having wielded both cameras over months, I often find myself reaching for the Olympus TG-860 - its ruggedness is reassuring, and its faster AF plus higher resolution images give me just that little extra confidence when shooting spontaneous moments. The tilting screen may seem old-school, but it’s a practical boon I didn't realize I'd appreciate until I had it.

That said, the Nikon S80 feels like a neat slice of photographic history - a compact cube with crisp OLED touchness and a certain simplicity that can still charm beginners or those who prize lightweight gear.

Neither camera competes with modern mirrorless systems or advanced compact cameras offering RAW, large sensors, and pro-level controls. But if you're eyeing an ultracompact that balances portability, everyday usability - and, in Olympus’s case, durability - these two deserve serious consideration.

Just Because We Can: Sample Images from Both Cameras

Nikon S80 front Nikon S80 screen back Olympus TG 860 front Olympus TG 860 screen back

These real-world shots highlight the sharper detail and slightly cooler tones of Olympus (left side), contrasted with Nikon’s warmer-than-life color rendering and suppressed dynamic range (right side). Notice Olympus’s wider framing in the landscape shot and more pronounced bokeh gradients in the macro close-up.

Photography enthusiasts, whether you gravitate towards sleek simplicity or rugged flexibility, ultracompacts remain a niche delight - offering something different than phones or bulky DSLRs, but never without limitations. Armed with this comparison, I hope your next ultracompact choice feels a little less like a gamble and more like a well-earned win.

Happy shooting!