Olympus E-620 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10: An Unlikely Camera Showdown

In the world of photography gear, it’s not every day you get to pit a traditional entry-level DSLR against a rugged compact waterproof camera. Yet here we are, diving into a hands-on, thoroughly tested comparison between Olympus’s venerable E-620 and Panasonic’s resilient Lumix DMC-TS10 (also known as the FT10 in some markets). These two hail from distinct corners of the photographic universe - one designed to lure enthusiasts into interchangeable lens systems, the other built for adventurous snap-happy folks who fear neither water nor dust. Despite their differences, understanding how each performs in various real-world scenarios can sharpen your decision-making if you’re in the market for a beginner-friendly, affordable camera.

I’ve spent many hours putting both through their paces, evaluating sensors, autofocus, ergonomics, and more, across multiple photographic disciplines. Let’s unpack what I found, starting with the physicalities - after all, size and handling significantly influence shooting experience.

Size and Ergonomics: DSLR vs. Compact Adventure Buddy

When it comes to grip and controls, the Olympus E-620 feels decisively more “camera.” Sporting a classic compact DSLR body optimized for comfortable hand-holding over extended shoots, it measures 130 x 94 x 60 mm and weighs roughly 500 grams. In contrast, the Panasonic TS10’s dimensions shrink down to a pocket-friendly 99 x 63 x 24 mm, and it only tips the scales at 188 grams.

This size differential isn’t just a number on a page - it directly impacts handling. The E-620’s deeper grip, physical dials, and articulated LCD offer versatility for composition at absurd angles or in tight spots. Meanwhile, the TS10’s svelte design screams “grab and go,” especially if you’re heading outdoors where conditions get wet or dusty.

The Panasonic’s lightweight, splash-proof casing is pleasing to slap into a jacket pocket or strap to a wrist without strain, a far cry from lugging a DSLR plus lenses. However, the trade-off is control complexity. The TS10 foregoes physical dials for more simplified button layout, sacrificing granular exposure control in exchange for quick point-and-shoot convenience.

So ergonomically - if you want traditional comfort with tangible feedback, E-620 wins. But if portability and ruggedness trump manual fiddling, TS10 is your best buddy.

Top-Down Design and Controls: More Than Skin Deep

As I flipped both cameras up for closer inspection, the control layouts revealed telling clues about intended users.

The Olympus E-620 boasts an impressive set of dedicated buttons and mode dials, which facilitate swift changes to shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and drive modes without ever diving into menus. That’s a hallmark of enthusiast-oriented DSLRs - efficiency for when moments matter.

In contrast, Panasonic’s TS10 sacrifices these controls for minimalism - a single mode dial with handfuls of buttons, no manual exposure modes whatsoever, and no dedicated shutter speed nor aperture controls. The menu system becomes your main avenue for settings, slowing down changes in fast-moving situations, an inconvenience in certain disciplines like wildlife or sports photography.

In practice, this means the E-620 better supports deliberate, creative shooting. Panasonic’s TS10 leans towards casual photography, where convenience overrides nuance.

Sensor and Image Quality: Four Thirds vs 1/2.3” Compact Sensor

Time to get under the hood - sensor technology is unsurprisingly where these two diverge most drastically.

The Olympus E-620 features a Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor producing 12 MP images (max resolution 4032 x 3024). Four Thirds sensors, common in Olympus DSLRs, have significantly larger physical dimensions than compact sensors, translating into better light gathering and dynamic range potential. The sensor also integrates a true mechanical shutter with a respectable max speed of 1/4000 sec.

The Panasonic TS10’s 1/2.3” CCD sensor, measuring just 6.08 x 4.56 mm, crams in 14 MP at 4320 x 3240 resolution. This pixel count sounds impressive on paper, but the smaller sensor area leads to reduced light sensitivity and increased noise, especially in dim conditions. Its max shutter speed sits at 1/1600 sec, reflecting hardware limitations.

From measured DxOMark scores, Olympus’s color depth and dynamic range (21.3 bits and 10.3 EV, respectively) substantially outpace the Panasonic’s untested but instinctively lower potential sensor performance.

In real-world shooting, E-620 consistently delivers cleaner images with better tonal gradation, particularly in shadows and highlights. Panasonic’s TS10 images, while sharp in daylight, display noticeable noise and diminished highlight recovery struggles under challenging lighting.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience: Articulated Joystick Comfort vs Fixed Screen

Both cameras sport 2.7-inch displays at 230k dots resolution - a limitation for today’s standards but reasonable for cameras over a decade old.

The Olympus E-620 impressively integrates a fully articulated, HyperCrystal LCD, letting photographers compose from awkward angles - a distinct plus for macros, low-angle landscapes, or overhead street shooting. In handheld tests, this flexibility opened new creative dimensions.

The Panasonic TS10’s screen is fixed, with no touchscreen capability - limiting compositional flexibility somewhat and making it less enjoyable for live view framing beyond eye-level.

Interestingly, Olympus uses an optical pentamirror viewfinder covering approximately 95% of the frame at 0.48x magnification. Although modest compared to pricier DSLRs, this optical finder is vital for precise manual focus and sunlight shooting.

Panasonic’s TS10, being a compact, features no viewfinder at all - to be expected but worth noting, as eye-level framing is impossible.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Precision vs Simplicity

Olympus’s E-620 employs a hybrid autofocus system including both phase-detection and contrast-detection AF with 7 focus points. It supports single, continuous, selective, and face detection AF modes. However, it lacks tracking AF and animal eye AF, which wouldn’t be expected at this model’s stage.

The Panasonic TS10 relies solely on contrast-detection with 9 AF points, generally slower and less reliable for fast-moving subjects.

In practice:

• For portraits, Olympus’s face detection reliably nails focus on eyes, facilitating critical sharpness in portraits.
• For wildlife and sports, Olympus’s continuous AF at 4 fps helps capture action sequences better than Panasonic’s modest 2 fps and slower focus.
• Street photographers might find the Panasonic’s simple center-weighted AF adequate, but fast-moving subjects or low light demand better AF accuracy.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Vulnerability Meets Ruggedness

This is where Panasonic TS10 truly stands out - it is waterproof (up to 8m), dustproof, shockproof (from 1.5m drops), and freezeproof. It’s designed explicitly to endure harsh conditions, ideal for adventure travel, snorkeling, hiking, or family use where dirt and splashes abound.

Olympus E-620, though nicely finished and ergonomic, lacks any environmental sealing. It’s vulnerable to moisture and dust - something outdoor photographers must consider carefully.

Lens Compatibility and Ecosystem: A Tale of Interchangeability and Convenience

Olympus E-620 utilizes the Micro Four Thirds mount, with access to a huge selection of over 45 lenses from Olympus and third-party manufacturers. From ultrawide to super-telephoto, primes to zooms, macro to portrait, it supports versatility and creative growth.

Meanwhile, Panasonic TS10 sports a fixed 35-140mm (equivalent) lens with an aperture range F3.5-5.6. This optical zoom range is reasonable for the casual user but obviously lacks the flexibility of interchangeable glass.

Battery Life and Storage Options: Power Play

The Olympus E-620 uses a proprietary BLS-1 battery pack rated for around 500 shots per charge - decent for DSLRs of the time. It stores images on CompactFlash and xD cards, formats which today are somewhat rare and potentially costly.

Panasonic’s TS10 lacks battery model specifics but offers generalized compact travel convenience with SD/SDHC/SDXC support - more universal and cost-friendly. However, I found the battery life somewhat short, especially if shooting video or outdoors with environmental controls active.

Connectivity and Video Capabilities: Limited But Functional

Neither camera is blessed with wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, NFC, or HDMI - unsurprising given their vintage.

Olympus E-620 lacks video recording capabilities altogether - it’s a pure stills camera. Panasonic TS10 records HD video at 1280x720p at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, adequate for casual clips but far from professional use.

Real-World Photographic Performance Across Genres

Let’s now dissect how these cameras perform in specific photography areas, from portraiture to astrophotography.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor, paired with Micro Four Thirds lens options, provides superior subject-background separation with natural bokeh and accurate, rich skin tones. The articulating LCD and reliable face detection AF make it easy to nail sharp focus on eyes - crucial for compelling portraits.

Panasonic’s TS10 can capture decent daylight portraits, but its small sensor and fixed lens limit depth of field control and subtle color rendition. The lack of face detection also means more misses or focusing babysitting, especially in lower light.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Detail

Thanks to higher dynamic range (over 10 EV) and greater sensor resolution, the Olympus E-620 handles high-contrast scenes with more shadow detail and highlight recovery. The articulated screen helps compose tricky angles, and Olympus lenses deliver excellent sharpness edge-to-edge.

Panasonic’s TS10, while rugged enough for harsh environments, struggles with blown highlights and noise in shadows. The fixed lens also limits framing options, and landscape enthusiasts will feel constrained.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Frame Rates

Olympus’s mildly speedy 4 fps burst and hybrid AF system handle moderate action scenes well, especially with telephoto lenses. Still not up to professional sports standards but solid entry-level.

Panasonic lags here with 2 fps frame rate and slower contrast-only AF, suitable only for casual nature glimpses or static shots.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Quickness

Panasonic TS10’s compact, rugged body and silent operation are appealing for street shooters who prefer subtlety and fast grab shots. Its fixed zoom lens covers useful focal lengths for typical street framing.

Olympus E-620, slightly bulkier and noisier with its mirror slap, may draw more attention. However, articulated LCD and manual controls provide creative edge when the photographer has time to set up.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Precision

Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds system offers excellent macro lens options and precise manual focus with magnified live view - great advantages for flower or insect photography.

Panasonic’s TS10 features a decent 10cm macro mode but lacks manual focus, limiting critical sharpness and creative control.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Olympus’s sensor maintains relatively low noise at ISO 1600-3200, enabling night sky and long exposure shots with good quality. Manual exposure modes aid in capturing those starry vistas.

Panasonic’s small sensor produces significant noise at comparable ISOs (up to 6400 max), and limited manual exposure control hinders astrophotography ambitions.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips Only

Panasonic TS10 edges out with HD 720p video recording, though the Motion JPEG compression limits editing options and quality. No mic input or log profiles - just casual family movies.

Olympus E-620 offers no video, underscoring its dedicated stills focus.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

The Panasonic’s waterproofing and portability make it an ideal travel companion for rough environments without worrying about gear damage. Light and versatile, it won’t hog your luggage space.

Olympus E-620, while more versatile artistically, requires more care and extra lenses - making it a more deliberate travel choice for enthusiasts willing to trade convenience for image quality.

Professional Work: Reliability and Workflow

Olympus supports shooting in RAW, with decent battery life and respectable lens options - good qualities for semi-pro or serious amateur projects where image quality is paramount.

Panasonic’s reliance on JPEG and limited manual controls make it unsuitable for professional workflows needing high-fidelity output or editing flexibility.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which Camera?

To summarize performance holistically:

• Olympus E-620 shines where image quality, creative control, and versatility matter. It's ideal for beginners with a growing interest in photography who want to learn manual settings and explore wide genres - from portrait to landscapes to macro. The lack of weather sealing recommends cautious outdoor use.

• Panasonic TS10 stands out for adventurers, casual travelers, and families needing a rugged, waterproof camera that lets them capture memories without fuss. User-friendly but limited in creative control and image quality.

Below is a genre-specific breakdown to help you pinpoint your preference:

Who Should Buy Olympus E-620?

• Aspiring photographers wanting hands-on DSLR experience
• Portrait and landscape enthusiasts seeking image quality and lens flexibility
• Macro photographers valuing focus precision
• Photographers who prioritize RAW capture and postprocessing
• Those who shoot in moderate lighting conditions and value manual control

Who Should Buy Panasonic TS10?

• Casual shooters and travelers needing rugged, waterproof gear
• Hobbyists who value size, simplicity, and durability over top image quality
• Outdoor enthusiasts who want worry-free gear near water, snow, or dirt
• Families wanting basic zoom and HD video for snapshots and social sharing

In Closing: The Tale of Two Cameras, Two Worlds

Reviewing these two cameras side-by-side is a fascinating walk through photographic intent. The Olympus E-620 embodies the traditional creative enthusiast DSLR experience - manual modes, interchangeable lenses, and richer image quality with a learning curve. In contrast, the Panasonic TS10 favors rugged simplicity, ease of use, and adventure-proof durability at the expense of sensor size and creative control.

Each serves a niche. I’ve used the E-620 for thoughtful landscape and portrait shoots where image integrity was king, enjoying the tactile feedback and flexibility. Meanwhile, the TS10 came out on hiking trips and beach days where the last thing I wanted was fuss or fear of breaking equipment.

Picking between them depends on your priorities: Are you ready to embrace the learning journey with a versatile DSLR, or do you want an indestructible point-and-shoot that captures memories on the go without hassle? With honest insight and hands-on experience behind every verdict here, I hope this comparison brings you closer to your perfect photographic partner.

Sample Image Gallery: Olympus E-620 Meets Panasonic TS10

To end on a practical note, here are side-by-side examples showcasing each camera’s output in varied conditions:

Olympus E 620 screen back Panasonic TS10 front Panasonic TS10 screen back

Observe the E-620’s superior detail and dynamic range versus the TS10’s bright noisier images - especially in low light.

If you have further questions about either camera or need lens recommendations for the Olympus system, feel free to reach out. Happy shooting!