Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6
95 Imaging
36 Features
21 Overall
30


90 Imaging
39 Features
54 Overall
45
Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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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.
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Portraiture: TG-6’s eye detection autofocus offers more reliable subject locking and sharper focus on faces.
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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:
- Physical sizes and ergonomics visual:
- Control layouts:
- Sensor specs and image quality:
- Rear screen evaluation:
- Actual sample images from the cameras:
- Overall performance ratings:
- Genre-specific capabilities:
Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus TG-6 Specifications
Olympus FE-4030 | Olympus 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 |