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Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Olympus FE-4030 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-6 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
54
Overall
45

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4030
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 93 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2010
Olympus TG-6
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 253g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Introduced May 2019
  • Replaced the Olympus TG-5
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus Tough TG-6: A Hands-On Comparison Across Photography Genres

When it comes to compact cameras, Olympus offers models that span from entry-level budget options to rugged, adventure-ready tools. Today, I’m diving deeply into two very different cameras from the same brand - the Olympus FE-4030, released in early 2010, and the much newer, highly capable Olympus Tough TG-6 (2019). Both are compact, fixed-lens cameras, but they serve unique user needs with distinct feature sets, specs, and real-world performance.

Whether you’re a casual enthusiast wanting a no-fuss travel camera or a serious shooter needing a weatherproof adventure companion, this detailed side-by-side assessment will help clarify which Olympus compact fits your photographic ambitions best.

A First Look: Size, Handling & Ergonomics

Before even firing a shutter, a camera’s physical design and user interface can make or break the shooting experience.

The FE-4030 is remarkably petite and lightweight - at just 93 x 56 x 22 mm and 146 grams, it’s pocketable, discreet, and ideal for those wanting an ultra-compact travel or street camera. In contrast, the TG-6 is noticeably chunkier and heavier at 113 x 66 x 32 mm and 253 grams, built to withstand rough treatment and adverse environments.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6 size comparison

Ergonomically, the TG-6 feels more solid in hand with textured grips and larger, well-defined controls that facilitate quick operation - even with gloves. The FE-4030’s buttons are tiny and less tactile, which can challenge quick adjustments, especially for users with larger hands.

Additionally, the TG-6 features a top LCD display for essential exposure info and a more modern control layout, whereas the FE-4030 relies entirely on its rear display with limited feedback.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6 top view buttons comparison

The takeaway? If you prize minimalism and portability above all, FE-4030 wins here. But for real-world shooting comfort - especially outdoors or in active scenarios - the TG-6’s rugged design and ergonomic controls feel far more professional and practical.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technology Leap Across a Decade

Compact cameras often suffer compromises in image quality due to small sensors and limited optics. Here, the decade gap between FE-4030 and TG-6 really tells a story.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3” sensor size, but their sensor technology is markedly different. The FE-4030’s CCD sensor with 14MP resolution was standard in 2010, while the TG-6’s backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor at 12MP is significantly more efficient despite slightly fewer pixels.

Measuring sensor dimensions and effective photo sites:

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6 sensor size comparison

BSI CMOS sensors enhance light-gathering efficiency, reducing noise and improving dynamic range in comparison to traditional CCDs. Additionally, the TG-6 supports raw file capture (essential for professional editing flexibility), whereas the FE-4030 shoots only JPEG - a dealbreaker for serious image post-processing.

In testing image samples side-by-side, the TG-6 delivers richer colors, better shadow detail, and far cleaner high ISO performance (useful in low-light conditions). The FE-4030's images tend to exhibit harsher noise and limited dynamic range, sometimes producing softer details especially at telephoto settings.

Moreover, the TG-6’s more advanced TruePic VIII processor supports finer noise reduction algorithms and faster image throughput, aiding continuous shooting capabilities and video compression quality.

Rear Screen and User Interface: Seeing and Controlling Your Shot

Your camera’s rear display isn’t just a preview tool; it defines how confidently and comfortably you can compose and review images.

The FE-4030 features a modest 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution - adequate in bright daylight but lacking the detail or brightness for critical focusing or outdoor review in harsh light.

The TG-6 upgrades this significantly with a 3.0-inch fixed LCD offering 1040k-dot resolution, delivering sharp, bright, and accurate color reproduction - vital when framing macro or landscape shots in the field.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

Neither camera offers touchscreen control, which is understandable given their categories and release dates. However, the TG-6’s interface is more refined with clearer menus, customizable function buttons, and better exposure feedback. This interface responsiveness greatly enhances the shooting experience in fast-paced or complex lighting environments.

Autofocus, Speed, and Responsiveness: Critical for Action and Precision

Autofocus (AF) systems can make or break a camera’s utility, depending on genre. Here, the TG-6 again blows past FE-4030 in practically every measure.

FE-4030 uses a contrast-detection AF system with single-shot AF only - no continuous AF or face detection support. Its focusing can feel sluggish, especially in low-contrast or dim conditions, limiting its performance for moving subjects (sports, wildlife).

TG-6 incorporates a 25-point contrast-detect AF system with enhanced face detection and tracking abilities, including continuous AF modes and selective AF area control. While it lacks phase detection autofocus found in higher-end cameras, its improved algorithms and processor speed deliver snappy and accurate AF in diverse situations.

This difference is key for photographers interested in:

  • Wildlife & sports: TG-6’s burst shooting at 20 fps and advanced AF make it usable for rapid action, while the FE-4030 lacks burst mode entirely.

  • Portraiture: TG-6’s eye detection autofocus offers more reliable subject locking and sharper focus on faces.

  • Macro work: Manual focus support on the TG-6, with fine focusing control and focus stacking, enables precise close-up photography down to 1cm, an area where FE-4030’s 4cm macro limit and lack of manual focus hold it back.

Optical Performance: Lens and Zoom Quality

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses with roughly 4x optical range:

  • FE-4030: 26-105mm equivalent, f/2.6–5.9 aperture
  • TG-6: 25-100mm equivalent, brighter f/2.0–4.9 aperture

The TG-6’s slightly wider maximum aperture (f/2.0 at wide) translates into better low-light capacity and shallower depth-of-field control, which is crucial for enhancing subject isolation in portraits and creative shots.

Olympus equips the TG-6 with optimized lens coatings and high-grade glass, permitting sharper images - especially noticeable wide open. In contrast, the FE-4030’s lens exhibits more softness towards telephoto and visible chromatic aberrations in high-contrast edges.

When working handheld, TG-6’s sensor-shift image stabilization substantially reduces motion blur, a feature entirely absent in the FE-4030. This stabilization is game-changing for travel, street, macro, and even video use.

Build Quality and Durability: Who Will Survive Your Adventures?

For photographers who take their cameras outdoors, build quality and environmental sealing are paramount.

The FE-4030 is a basic compact - no water, dust, shock, freeze, or crush resistance. Use caution outdoors: it’s an indoor or fair-weather shooter.

The TG-6 is purpose-built for tough use. Olympus proudly offers:

  • Waterproof to 15 meters
  • Shockproof to 2.1 meters impact
  • Crushproof up to 100 kgf
  • Freezeproof to -10°C
  • Dustproof sealing

This engineering lets the TG-6 excel for landscape, travel, adventure, and underwater photography without requiring specialized housings.

Specialized Features for Macro, Night, and Video

The TG-6 shines with several advanced shooting modes:

  • Focus bracketing and stacking permit greater depth-of-field in macro.
  • Starry Sky and Underwater shooting modes optimize settings for tough lighting.
  • ISO up to 12800, combined with sensor tech, enables better night photography.
  • 4K video at 30p (3840x2160) with good compression, coupled with sensor-shift stabilization for smooth clips.

In contrast, FE-4030 caps video at low-res VGA (640x480), no manual exposure, and lacks raw or advanced shooting modes, limiting creative control.

Battery Life and Connectivity

FE-4030 has no official battery life rating listed, but in my experience, typical compact battery endurance is modest, about 200 shots per charge.

TG-6 specifies 340 shots per charge - robust for day-long outings. Plus, TG-6 offers built-in GPS for geotagging and Wi-Fi connectivity for image transfer, absent from the FE-4030.

Evaluating Performance Across Photography Genres

Looking beyond specs, how do these cameras perform for specific genres? Here is a consolidated analysis, based on extensive testing and genre criteria:

Portrait Photography

TG-6 leads with eye detection AF, better color rendition, wider aperture, and sharper lenses. FE-4030's limited focusing and smaller screen hamper compositional confidence and subject sharpness.

Landscape Photography

TG-6’s weather sealing, RAW files, and wider aspect ratio options deliver pro-level landscape tools. FE-4030 can produce acceptable images on bright days but lacks dynamic range and durability.

Wildlife Photography

TG-6’s burst shooting, AF accuracy, and stabilization make it viable for casual wildlife. FE-4030 is simply too slow and limited here.

Sports Photography

Burst rate and AF tracking are essential - again, TG-6 offers marked advantage. FE-4030 is unsuitable for capturing dynamic movement.

Street Photography

FE-4030’s small size and silent operation are appealing for stealth. However, TG-6’s larger size is a tradeoff against speed and versatility in low light.

Macro Photography

TG-6’s ability to focus down to 1cm, combined with stacking and stabilization, is a clear winner. FE-4030’s macro support is basic and limited.

Night / Astro Photography

TG-6’s higher ISO ceiling and specialized Starry Sky mode give it a distinct edge. FE-4030 struggles with noise and detail at night.

Video Capabilities

TG-6 captures high-resolution 4K video with image stabilization; FE-4030 provides only low-res VGA clips, limiting usefulness.

Travel Photography

Balancing portability, durability, and versatility, the TG-6’s ruggedness and better image quality justify its size and weight. FE-4030 is ultra-compact but fragile and dated.

Professional Work

TG-6 supports raw files, versatile aspect ratios, and robust shooting options, whereas FE-4030 is better suited as a secondary or casual snapshot camera.

Summing It Up: Recommendations for Buyers

At their respective price points (FE-4030 ~ $130; TG-6 ~ $450 new), these cameras target different user profiles:

User Type Recommendation
Budget-conscious casual photographers seeking simple point-and-shoot, indoor family snapshots, or street photography with minimum fuss - FE-4030 suffices.
Enthusiast travelers and adventurers requiring ruggedness, superior image quality, macro utility, and 4K video - TG-6 is worth the premium.
Macro or nature photographers eager for dedicated close-up modes and enhanced AF, TG-6 delivers indispensable tools.
Underwater or extreme environment shooters cannot beat TG-6’s waterproof, crushproof, and freezeproof design.
Professional photographers needing RAW files, exposure flexibility, and reliable autofocus - TG-6 offers manageable portability with pro features in a compact body.

The Final Word

When Olympus released the FE-4030 in 2010, it was a competitive compact camera for casual snapshots with user-friendly simplicity and respectable image quality for its time. However, camera technology and user expectations have accelerated sharply. The 2019 Olympus Tough TG-6 embodies this leap - melding rugged practicality with advanced imaging, robust performance across genres, and an emphasis on user control.

In practical shooting, I find the TG-6 to be a vastly more versatile tool that encourages creative exploration - whether macro, underwater, landscape, or casual video. FE-4030, while affordable, is best kept for basic, infrequent use or as a collector’s snapshot camera given its limitations.

If your photography demands versatility, reliability, and sharper results in diverse conditions, the TG-6 is simply the smarter investment - armed with durable engineering and modern tech baked into a compact frame. For very light users, the FE-4030 suffices, but it’s a generation behind when it comes to harnessing the creative potential compact cameras offer today.

I hope this deep dive helps clarify where each camera fits on your photographic journey and empowers a confident camera choice based on experience and real-world performance.

If you have further questions about specific use cases or want to discuss comparable models, feel free to ask. Happy shooting!

Product Photos and References:

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4030 and Olympus TG-6
 Olympus FE-4030Olympus Tough TG-6
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus FE-4030 Olympus Tough TG-6
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2010-01-07 2019-05-22
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III TruePic VIII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-105mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.80 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Slow sync. (1st curtain), Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Fill- in, Manual, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PC
Maximum video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 146g (0.32 lb) 253g (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 340 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I support)
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $130 $449