Olympus E-300 vs Olympus TG-820 iHS: A Deep Dive Into Two Very Different Cameras

As someone who’s spent more than 15 years testing an incredible range of cameras, I find it fascinating to compare two models that come not just from different generations, but from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Olympus E-300, an advanced DSLR announced back in 2005, squarely targets enthusiasts wanting manual control and interchangeable lenses. The Olympus TG-820 iHS, a rugged waterproof compact from 2012, is all about versatility on the go, in tough environments.

Pull up a chair - because today, I’m dissecting these two Olympus cameras with a sharp lens on their features, real-world performance, and ideal user profiles. Whether you’re a serious enthusiast hoping to understand legacy DSLR technology or an adventure lover needing a reliable point-and-shoot for outdoor exploits, this comparison will deliver clear, practical guidance.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

Before we get lost in specs and pixel counts, let’s talk about the feel - because how a camera handles really shapes your experience.

The Olympus E-300 is a mid-sized SLR affair, weighing 624 grams with physical dimensions of 147mm × 85mm × 64mm. It’s chunky by today’s standards but offers a reassuring solid grip - the hallmark of DSLRs. However, don’t expect weather sealing here; the body is strictly indoor/outdoor dry weather use.

In contrast, the Olympus TG-820 iHS is a ruggedized workhorse designed to survive the outdoors. At 206 grams and just 101mm × 65mm × 26mm, this compact is pocketable and built tough - waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, even freezeproof. You can legitimately take it swimming or mount it on a bike without fearing damage.

If portability and durability are high on your list, the TG-820 wins hands down. The E-300’s bulk is justified if you want a more “serious” camera feel with a full complement of control dials.

Design and Control Layout: Manual Versus Automated

If you’re coming from a DSLR background, having tactile buttons and dials is indispensable. The E-300 sports a classic SLR layout - buttons, dials, and an optical pentamirror viewfinder. It has a fixed, modest 1.8-inch screen with low resolution (134k dots), but the optical viewfinder lets you compose shots with zero lag, natural color, and full ambient awareness.

The TG-820 iHS, meanwhile, sacrifices physical controls for compactness and ruggedness. It features a 3-inch HyperCrystal III TFT LCD screen with a crisp 1030k-dot resolution - a significant jump in clarity and size over the E-300. However, it lacks any optical or electronic viewfinder, so you rely entirely on that LCD for framing.

The E-300’s manual exposure modes (shutter priority, aperture priority, full manual) mean you’re in full creative control. The TG-820 largely depends on automated settings with no manual shutter or aperture priority modes, making it less flexible for creative shooters but easier for point-and-shoot.

For those who love to tweak settings on the fly, the E-300 feels like home. For casual users who want a rugged companion without fuss, the TG-820’s streamlined interface will appeal.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD vs CMOS in Different Eras

This comparison really pits legacy DSLR sensor technology against advanced compact sensor design.

The Olympus E-300 uses a Four Thirds-sized CCD sensor measuring 17.3 × 13 mm (225 mm² area), with an 8MP resolution (3264×2448). CCD sensors of that era produced rich color but limited ISO performance, maxing out at ISO 400 natively, with a boost to 1600. Image files support RAW, giving serious shooters post-processing flexibility, though dynamic range and low-light performance lag modern standards.

The TG-820 iHS sports a much smaller 1/2.3" CMOS sensor, only 6.17 × 4.55 mm (28 mm²), but at a higher resolution of 12MP (3968×2976). The native ISO range spans 100 to 6400, allowing better low-light capability and overall versatility. Due to the sensor size and processing advances (TruePic VI engine), images look sharp and noise is well controlled, especially for a compact.

Fundamentally, the E-300’s larger sensor grants superior depth of field control and a more “DSLR” character, ideal for portraits and landscapes. But in practical terms, the TG-820’s higher resolution and modern image processing deliver cleaner, more versatile output for everyday snapshots.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Despite being firmly DSLR territory, the E-300’s rear LCD is tiny and low-res, making image review more about approximate framing rather than critical assessment. The lack of live view (not yet common in 2005) means you compose exclusively through the optical viewfinder.

The TG-820’s large, sharp 3-inch LCD shines in bright sunlight thanks to its advanced HyperCrystal technology - it’s bright, vibrant, and responsive. This screen is your sole way to compose, given the total absence of any viewfinder.

Personally, for outdoor use and casual shooting, I find the TG-820’s screen far more practical. But if you cherish the optical viewfinder experience with zero lag and natural colors, the E-300 holds strong even a decade on.

Shooting Performance: Autofocus, Speed, and Handling

Now, getting pictures in focus - and getting them fast - is the heart of any camera.

The Olympus E-300 relies on a 3-point phase detection autofocus system, standard for mid-2000s DSLRs. It supports single, continuous autofocus, and selective point selection but lacks face detection or tracking functions. Continuous shooting caps out at 3 fps, which was decent at launch but is slow by modern standards.

The TG-820 iHS has contrast detection autofocus with face detection and multi-area AF, helping keep subjects sharp without fuss. The camera’s focus tracking helps maintain sharpness on moving subjects within limitations inherent to compact sensors. Continuous shooting hits 5 fps, beneficial for action moments but still modest.

In practice, I found the E-300’s phase detection AF more predictable in daylight and controlled scenarios, but the gunmetal TG-820 is surprisingly quick for a compact, especially considering the ruggedized design. Neither camera will satisfy serious sports or wildlife shooters, however.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Interchangeable Versus Fixed Lens

This is where the E-300 and TG-820 differ most fundamentally.

The Olympus E-300 embraces the Four Thirds lens mount, meaning access to 45+ compatible lenses ranging from fast primes to telephotos and macro optics. This flexibility unlocks worlds of creative potential: shallow depth of field, versatile framing, and specialized optics.

The TG-820 iHS has a fixed 28-140mm (5× optical zoom) lens with apertures from f/3.9 to f/5.9. It’s also capable of focusing down to 1 cm for macros - a point the E-300 can’t match without additional lenses and gear. Image stabilization in the TG-820 is sensor-shift, helping you get crisp handheld shots, while the E-300 lacks stabilization but can benefit from stabilized lenses.

If changing lenses and creative control is your game, the E-300 is irreplaceable. If you want “shoot and go” with solid zoom and macro abilities in one sturdy package, then the TG-820 excels.

Battery Life and Storage: Handling Long Shoots

On paper, the E-300 battery stats aren’t well documented, but DSLR batteries typically yielded 300+ shots per charge at the time. Storage is handled by Compact Flash cards, still reliable but bulkier and slower than modern SD cards.

The TG-820 iHS uses a LI-50B rechargeable battery rated around 220 shots. It stores files on standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, far preferable today for speed and capacity.

If you shoot extensively off-grid, the Olympus E-300’s DSLR power system might be more convenient with spare batteries, but the TG-820’s compact power system is easier to replace on the fly.

Special Features: What Else Does Each Bring?

One area where the TG-820 shines is ruggedness - its comprehensive environmental sealing means it survives drops, dust storms, water, and even freezing temperatures. It includes handy features like pet auto shutter (great for snapping Fido mid-play) and higher ISO sensitivity for night and low-light shooting.

The E-300 offers no environmental protection but supports full RAW files and manual control modes, essential for professional workflows.

Neither camera has any wireless connectivity or advanced video capabilities - the E-300 predates HD video entirely, and the TG-820 offers 1080p video at 30 fps, respectable given its class but limited.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Let’s put these cameras to the test across the major photography categories many enthusiasts and pros care about.

Portrait Photography

The E-300’s larger sensor and interchangeable lenses enable beautiful skin tone rendering and pleasing bokeh. The 3-point AF system can track faces reasonably well, but no eye detection or advanced face tracking limits its precision.

The TG-820 iHS can detect faces and deliver decent portraits but lacks aperture control for shallow depth of field. Its underwhelming max aperture and small sensor reduce subject separation.

Landscape Photography

The E-300 benefits hugely from its 8MP raw sensor and four-thirds dimension, offering clean files with nuanced tonal gradations. However, the lack of weather sealing makes outdoor shoots riskier.

TG-820’s ruggedness is perfect for stomping through nature, but its smaller sensor and JPEG-only RAW absence limit post-processing latitude.

Wildlife Photography

Neither camera is ideal here. The E-300’s 3 fps burst rate and limited AF points constrain tracking fast-moving animals. The TG-820’s fixed lens and smaller sensor reduce reach and image quality, though its autofocus tracking somewhat helps.

Sports Photography

Again, 3 fps on the E-300 is limiting, as is the phase-detection AF with just 3 points. The TG-820 edges out slightly with 5 fps but autofocus lacks depth for fast action.

Street Photography

TG-820’s compact, lightweight, and rugged design is more street-friendly for casual shooters. The E-300’s bulk and slower operation make it cumbersome for quick candid moments.

Macro Photography

TG-820’s 1 cm focusing macro mode and sensor shift stabilization give it an edge. The E-300 requires dedicated macro lenses and has no native image stabilization.

Night / Astrophotography

The E-300’s CCD sensor noise and low ISO limits held it back, but RAW support can enable longer exposures. TG-820’s CMOS sensor and high ISO up to 6400 gives brighter captures but smaller sensor noise is a factor.

Video Capabilities

TG-820 offers 1080p 30 fps video in H.264, a major plus. The E-300 offers no video recording.

Travel Photography

TG-820’s compactness, ruggedness, and long zoom make it a smart travel companion. The E-300’s weight and fragility require more care.

Professional Workflows

The E-300’s RAW files, manual controls, and large sensor suit pros willing to invest effort. TG-820 targets casual users more than professionals.

Final Scorecard: Who Wins in What?

Both cameras excel in their niches: the E-300 as an affordable legacy DSLR offering manual control and an expansive lens ecosystem; and the TG-820 as a tough, lightweight, versatile compact made for adventures where conditions get rough.

Sample Images: Real-world Results Speak Louder

To see the differences in action, check the image gallery below showing portraits, landscapes, macros, and more shot by both cameras under varied conditions.

Olympus E 300 screen back Olympus TG 820 iHS front Olympus TG 820 iHS screen back

You’ll note the E-300’s images have more nuanced color depth and less noise at base ISO, but the TG-820’s files are sharper with stronger dynamic range in moderate light due to newer processing.

Wrapping Up: Which Olympus Should You Choose?

If I had to sum this up simply:

• Choose the Olympus E-300 if:
  You’re a photography enthusiast seeking full manual control, interchangeable lenses, and RAW shooting. You want a classic DSLR experience, mainly shooting portraits, landscapes, or studio work. You’re willing to invest in lenses and accept the bulk and lack of weather sealing.

• Choose the Olympus TG-820 iHS if:
  You want a go-anywhere, do-anything super compact that survives tough environments without care. You prioritize portability, waterproofing, and good JPEG image quality with a decent zoom and video for travel, street, and casual macros. You prefer ease of use over manual control.

Both cameras offer distinct advantages: one rooted in traditional DSLR craftsmanship, the other in rugged everyday versatility.

Whatever your choice, I hope this deep dive helps you understand how these two Olympus models fit into the vast photography landscape. I’ve tested thousands of cameras, and these two may seem worlds apart, but each tells part of the evolving story of how we capture moments - and that story is always worth telling.

If you have follow-up questions or want hands-on advice for specific shooting scenarios, just ask - I’m here to help!