Olympus FE-47 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G: Which Compact Camera Fits Your Photography Life?

Choosing a compact camera in today’s smartphone-saturated market feels a bit like picking a vintage vinyl record player - pure nostalgia, or something genuinely elevating your experience? I’ve put two distinctive, small sensor compacts under the microscope: the Olympus FE-47 from 2010 and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G from 2012. Though now long discontinued, these models offer an intriguing peek into how camera design philosophies competed during the early smartphone era stage, bridging the gap between pure point-and-shoot simplicity and smarter camera-tech hybridization.

Below, I span the breadth from sensor tech and image quality to ergonomics and real-world usability, peppered with insights from hands-on testing and years hunting down camera gems. My goal: to arm you with authentic, no-BS info, so your next compact camera buys - or even your vintage investment - hit the right note for your photography style and budget.

Getting Physical: Size, Feel & Controls

First impressions count, and that often means size, weight, and how stuff feels anchored in hand. The Olympus FE-47 is a classic small pocketable compact, modest at 98x61x27 mm and featherweight at 204 grams, powered by simple AA batteries (a vintage quirk!). The Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G bulks up noticeably to 129x71x19 mm and 305 grams, boasting a larger footprint thanks to a giantish 4.8" touchscreen borrowed from Samsung’s smartphone lineage.

The FE-47’s retro-finesse lies in its manageable bulk and classic design cues, yet it hides its basicness behind plain controls - no clubs for thumbs here, just a handful of buttons and a minimal 2.7" fixed, non-touch screen. The Galaxy Camera channels a smartphone vibe; no traditional buttons clutter its gloss, relying on a capacitive touchscreen interface, which adds immediacy but sacrifices tactile certainty.

In use, Olympus’s FE-47 feels more like a familiar point-and-shoot from a bygone era - snappy if uninspiring. Samsung’s Galaxy model forgoes conventional controls for touchscreen navigation, which is responsive but might frustrate seasoned photo nuts used to physical dials, especially in fast-paced shooting scenarios.

Ergonomics winner? FE-47 edges out for those wanting quick physical buttons and light carry; Galaxy Camera appeals to touchscreen lovers craving smartphone integration.

Under the Hood: Sensor & Image Quality Deep Dive

No two sensors are born equal, especially in optics miniaturization. Both cameras use similar 1/2.3" sensors - standard fare for compacts of their era - but tech advances matter.

Olympus FE-47 sports a 14MP CCD sensor. CCD technology is historically lauded for color fidelity and gentle noise rolloff at base ISOs but tends to lag behind CMOS in speed and low-light prowess. The FE-47’s max ISO caps out at 1600, pushing noise to levels you’d rather avoid beyond ISO 400. The sensor is accompanied by Olympus’s older TruePic III processor, which keeps things modest in image processing power.

Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G upgrades to a 16MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. BSIs deliver improved low-light sensitivity and cleaner signal-to-noise ratios. The Galaxy also extends ISO up to 3200, doubling Olympus’s ceiling and enabling better capture under dim conditions. The 1.4GHz Quad-Core processor inside powers both imaging and Android OS (yes, the camera runs Android), making for a versatile but somewhat power-hungry rig.

Image quality tests reinforce these findings:

• Color and tones: Olympus tends to produce more neutral, true-to-life colors, albeit sometimes a touch flat, suitable for casual shooters who prefer minimal post-processing. Samsung’s Galaxy, aided by BSIs and image processing, offers punchier colors but occasionally unnaturally boosted saturation, flattering but less accurate.
• Dynamic range: Both cameras cannot compete with modern mirrorless or DSLR rigs, but the Galaxy’s sensor marginally stretches highlights and shadows better, preserving details on tough exposure scenes.
• Noise: At ISO 800 and above, Olympus’s images degrade noticeably with grain and smearing. Samsung’s CMOS sensor cleverly handles up to ISO 1600, and while grain is present, it’s less intrusive.

Winner? Samsung Galaxy Camera delivers the slightly better sensor and processing combo, especially in low light, but neither camera shines by today’s standards.

Display and Interface: Look, Touch, and Feel

Screens craft the user’s main interface; here, the cameras embody different eras.

Olympus FE-47 flaunts a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a simple 230k-dot resolution - far from Retina-level but functional enough for framing and basic review. Its non-touch nature means you rely on buttons to toggle modes or zoom.

Samsung Galaxy brings a massive 4.8-inch “Super Clear” HD touchscreen at a sharp ~308 ppi density, an early convergence point between camera and smartphone. Navigating menus, focus points, and settings mostly happen through taps and swipes, which feels intuitive if you're familiar with Android devices, but can be fiddly in bright sunlight or with wet fingers.

While the Galaxy’s screen makes image playback and video viewing a joy, Olympus offers simplicity that some purists prefer - no distractions, straightforward controls.

Zoom Power and Image Stabilization

If lens reach and image stabilization top your wish list, Samsung leaps ahead with a head-spinning 23-481 mm equivalent zoom (20.9x optical zoom) vs Olympus’s restrained 36-180 mm (5x optical) range.

The Galaxy’s lens versatility, paired with optical image stabilization (OIS), enables crisp captures at long focal lengths handheld - a godsend for wildlife or street photographers seeking silent, distant subjects.

Olympus lacks any form of image stabilization which, coupled with the narrower zoom range, limits its utility when shooting moving scenes or in low light requiring slower shutter speeds.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed vs Precision

Autofocus prowess makes or breaks real-world performance:

• The Olympus FE-47 uses contrast-detection AF with selectable multi-area modes and basic face detection absent from this model, offering single-shot autofocus only and no continuous tracking. It can struggle in low contrast or moving subjects - an Achilles heel for sports or wildlife shooting.
• Samsung Galaxy Camera surprisingly lacks continuous or face detection AF, and its AF system is basic, mirroring the FE-47’s no-frills approach but with less flexibility. Relying mostly on touchscreen focus point selection, it’s not designed for action or fast shifts.

Neither camera can be considered autofocus legends. For landscape and casual photos, both suffice. But if you chase squirrels or soccer matches, look elsewhere.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Modern Conveniences

A pragmatic aspect often overlooked is how these cameras keep going and dump files.

Olympus FE-47 wields affordable and swappable two AA batteries, a blessing if you’re the forgetful, "Did I charge last night?" kind of person. Storage is standard SD/SDHC cards, and it uses a USB 2.0 port for downloads.

Samsung Galaxy Camera sports a proprietary lithium-ion battery (usual for smartphones), which is rechargeable but finite; with the Android OS and large touchscreen, battery life can be a double-edged sword. Storage is via microSD cards, microSDHC, or microSDXC, granting good flexibility.

Connectivity is a clear front where Samsung outshines: it boasts built-in 4G LTE cellular connectivity and GPS, making it a communicative camera when not tethered, supporting instant photo sharing and geotagging - a massive edge for travel and social shooters.

Video Capabilities: Stepping Beyond Stills

Despite their vintage age, both shoot video - but with differing ambitions.

Olympus FE-47 supports basic 640 x 480 @ 30fps (VGA) video in Motion JPEG format - adequate for quick clips but very limited by today’s standards.

Samsung Galaxy Camera boasts full HD 1920x1080p video recording using MPEG-4/H.264 standards, placing it ahead for casual videography or travel movies. However, neither accepts external microphones or headphones, so audio capture may underwhelm pros.

Real-World Use Across Photography Genres

How do these two stack in your typical photographic endeavors?

Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G front Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G screen back

Build Quality and Reliability

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness, standard for small sensor compacts. Both rely on plastic-heavy builds but feel solid enough for casual use. Neither is shockproof or freezeproof; both require care.

Which Should You Pick? Recommendations for Every Wallet and Wish List

Olympus FE-47 Pros:

• Pocket-friendly size and lightweight
• Simple user interface, great for beginners or cheapskates
• Runs on easy-to-find AA batteries
• Good for casual snapshots, travel light shooting
• Neutral color rendering

Olympus FE-47 Cons:

• Limited zoom and no image stabilization
• Outdated sensor tech and slow AF
• Poor video capabilities
• No wireless connectivity

Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G Pros:

• Massive 20.9x optical zoom with optical image stabilization
• Higher resolution 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor
• Full HD video with better codec support
• Touchscreen interface with Android OS (apps, connectivity, sharing)
• Built-in 4G LTE and GPS - ideal for connected shooters and travelers

Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G Cons:

• Bulkier and heavier compact
• No traditional AF modes (no continuous, face, or tracking)
• Battery life impacted by OS and screen
• No built-in flash or external flash support
• No RAW shooting

Final Thoughts in Numbers and Performance

In simple terms, Olympus FE-47 is a modest digital camera primarily geared for beginners and casual snapshots, where budget and simplicity reign. Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G chases a different proposition: a connected superzoom camera with smartphone-like versatility, appealing more to social shooters and travelers who prize connectivity and zoom reach over traditional camera operation.

Neither is a professional workhorse, but within their design intent, both shine.

Wrapping Up: Veteran’s Take on Where They Shine and Stumble

From my 15+ years of camera evaluations - and hundreds of hands-on sessions - these two models represent fascinating snapshots of an era attempting to reconcile traditional compact cameras with emergent mobile tech trends.

• Opt for the Olympus FE-47 if you want straightforward point-and-shoot ease, ultra-light gear, and budget friendliness with AA batteries. Great for vacation photos, family events, and beginners easing into digital photography.

• Choose Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G if connectivity is your lifeline, you crave massive zoom for distant subjects, and want video capabilities packed into a device running Android OS. Ideal for those bridging the gap between smartphone convenience and photographic versatility.

Thanks for tagging along! And remember - while these cameras have their place, investing in gear today demands weighing not only specs but your own unique shooting lifestyle.

Happy shooting!

Image Credits:

• size-comparison.jpg
• top-view-compare.jpg
• sensor-size-compare.jpg
• back-screen.jpg
• cameras-galley.jpg
• camera-scores.jpg
• photography-type-cameras-scores.jpg