Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus TG-630 iHS: A Comprehensive Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When choosing a camera, discerning photographers often find themselves balancing multiple factors such as image quality, portability, functionality, and durability. Olympus’s diverse lineup offers options tailored to distinct photography needs, ranging from sophisticated mirrorless systems to rugged waterproof compacts. In this in-depth comparison, I put the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III and the Olympus TG-630 iHS head-to-head - two Canonical yet radically different cameras aimed at contrasting user profiles, from entry-level mirrorless to rugged travel shooters.

Drawing on over 15 years of expertise in camera testing and extensive hands-on evaluation, this article will methodically unpack both models’ technical underpinnings, field performance, and practical usability across various photographic genres, providing actionable insights for photographers weighing an investment in either model.

Surface-Level First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Before delving deeper into specs and image quality, initial contact with a camera’s ergonomics often dictates ease of use and comfort during extended shoots - especially for professionals and passionate hobbyists.

Physically, the E-M10 III adopts the classic SLR-style mirrorless form factor with dimensions of 122 x 84 x 50 mm and weighs approximately 410g (battery and card included), positioning itself solidly within the lightweight mirrorless category. In contrast, the TG-630 iHS shrinks substantially into a compact, rectangular body measuring 98 x 66 x 22 mm, weighing only 167g - more than 50% lighter and clearly designed for portability and ruggedness.

From an ergonomic perspective, the E-M10 III’s pronounced grip and traditional button layout favor controlled handheld shooting, especially when paired with the broad Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens ecosystem, which inevitably results in larger gear overall. The TG-630 iHS, with its ultra-compact and flat profile, trades hand-hugging comfort for pocketable convenience - ideal for spontaneous outdoor shooting but less conducive to precise manual control or heavy lens use.

Overall, these divergent form factors encapsulate their intended uses: the E-M10 III caters to photographers seeking creative versatility and manual handling, whereas the TG-630 iHS serves adventurers prioritizing robustness and grab-and-go simplicity.

Topside Controls and Interface: Quick Access to Settings

The tactile experience, including how intuitively and quickly users can access camera settings, heavily influences shooting efficiency, particularly in dynamic environments.

The E-M10 III sports a classic layout with dedicated physical dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, along with a mode dial offering PASM modes and creative scene options. The thoughtfully positioned customizable function buttons facilitate streamlined operation, essential for professionals or those learning manual exposure control.

Conversely, the TG-630 iHS, lacking dedicated dials for advanced controls, relies predominantly on mode menus accessible through its fixed, non-touch LCD. Its compactness limits physical controls to basic shutter release, zoom rocker, and a few function buttons, focusing on ease for casual users rather than granular control.

From a user-interface standpoint, the E-M10 III stands out with superior responsiveness and customization options, affording control enthusiasts real-time parameter adjustments. The TG-630 iHS prioritizes simplicity, aligning with its no-fuss waterproof design ideal for quick snapshots rather than deliberate compositional fine-tuning.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Fundamental to any camera’s photographic capability is its sensor - determining resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and overall image fidelity.

Here, the Olympus E-M10 III is equipped with a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.4 x 13 mm with an area of approximately 226.2 mm². This sensor boasts 16 megapixels resolution, paired with the TruePic VIII processor, enabling sophisticated noise reduction and detail rendering. The Four Thirds sensor strikes an optimal balance - larger than typical compacts yet smaller than full-frame, delivering excellent dynamic range (~12 stops per lab testing in higher-end models) and commendable low-light performance, particularly when coupled with in-body 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization.

In comparison, the TG-630 iHS utilizes a significantly smaller 1/2.3" CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, ~28 mm² area) with 12 megapixels resolution. This sensor size is standard for point-and-shoot compacts, inherently limited in light-gathering capacity and dynamic range, yielding more noticeable noise at higher ISOs and less tonal latitude.

Practically, the E-M10 III delivers superior image quality suitable for printing, serious editing, and professional applications, with cleaner high ISO results extending usable ranges up to ISO 3200 or 6400 in good light. Meanwhile, the TG-630 iHS, while capable of producing respectable images in bright outdoor conditions, exhibits constrained quality indoors or in shadows, often requiring aggressive noise reduction that softens details.

The smaller sensor impacts depth-of-field control as well; the E-M10 III can attain noticeably shallower DOF for appealing subject separation and bokeh effects, important in portraiture, whereas the TG-630’s extensive depth-of-field from small sensor geometry limits selective focus creativity.

Viewing Experience: Displays and Electronic Viewfinders

Accurate framing and review are paramount, especially when shooting manually or in challenging light.

The E-M10 III offers a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1,040k dots resolution, facilitating touch-based focus, menu navigation, and image playback. Its built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), boasting 2,360k dots and 100% coverage with 0.62x magnification, delivers a bright, sharp real-time preview unaffected by ambient light - critical for outdoor or sunny conditions where LCDs can be hard to read.

In contrast, the TG-630 iHS has a fixed 3-inch LCD of modest 460k dots resolution, lacking touchscreen capability entirely, which may hamper quick focus control or menu tweaking. Notably, it lacks any EVF, necessitating composing solely via the rear screen, which can be cumbersome in bright sunlight.

This difference further amplifies the E-M10 III’s suitability for serious compositional control and usability in diverse lighting, whereas the TG-630 leans into simplicity and compactness at the expense of framing precision.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking and Precision in Real World

Autofocus capabilities critically influence usability for both static and moving subjects, especially in genres like wildlife, sports, and street photography.

The Olympus E-M10 III incorporates a contrast-detection AF system with 121 focus points, including face detection and tracking modes. Although it lacks phase-detection pixels - a limitation compared to newer hybrid systems - the camera achieves snappy autofocus lock in good light and reliable continuous AF in burst shooting at 8.6 frames per second, sufficient for casual action shooting and fast-paced scenarios.

In the TG-630 iHS, the AF system is contrast-detection based with fewer focus areas and no touch AF capability, yielding slower and less confident focus acquisition, particularly in low light or moving subjects. While face detection aids portraiture, the limited AF sophistication curtails predictive tracking.

Moreover, neither model offers animal eye AF, a feature increasingly common in modern cameras, limiting utility for wildlife specialists.

Therefore, users requiring faster and more precise focus for moving subjects will find the E-M10 III’s system markedly superior, while the TG-630 caters mainly to static or slow-motion subjects where speed is less critical.

Lens Systems and Versatility: Expanding Creative Horizons

One of the strongest advantages of mirrorless cameras is interoperability with a wide range of lenses, drastically influencing creative potential.

The E-M10 III mounts Micro Four Thirds lenses, a mature ecosystem numbering approximately 107 lenses, spanning ultra-wide fisheyes, fast primes, professional telephotos, and specialized macro optics. This extensive native and third-party selection empowers photographers to tailor their toolkit precisely to genres such as landscape, portraiture, macro, and sports.

In contrast, the TG-630 iHS features a fixed 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens with an aperture range of F3.9-5.9, providing moderate telephoto reach but limited low-light performance and no interchangeable lenses. Its macro capabilities extend to 1cm focusing, making it reasonably adept for close-ups given the sensor constraints.

Consequently, photographers seeking maximum creative latitude will prefer the E-M10 III’s modularity, whereas the TG-630’s all-in-one convenience suits casual shooters desiring simplicity or taking vacation snaps without the hassle of lens swaps.

Build Quality and Environmental Durability: Weather Conditions and Outdoor Use

The conditions under which a camera can function depend heavily on its sealing and robustness.

The TG-630 iHS excels here - it is fully waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof, designed for active use in extreme environments, capable of handling submersion and rough handling. Such durability positions this camera as a top choice for adventure seekers, hikers, divers, or travelers requiring a reliable companion in harsh conditions.

The E-M10 III, lacking environmental sealing, is more vulnerable to moisture and dust ingress, necessitating care or additional protection when shooting outdoors in inclement weather. While robustly built for a mirrorless camera, it requires protected environments for professional reliability over time.

For photographers working outdoors frequently or in challenging weather, the TG-630’s ruggedness is a significant advantage; the E-M10 III better suits controlled or studio environments where weather vulnerability is mitigated.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance for Extended Sessions

Long shooting days demand effective power management.

The Olympus E-M10 III achieves approximately 330 shots per charge per CIPA standards, typical for mirrorless cameras with electronic viewfinders and LCD usage. Its use of the rechargeable BLS-50 battery pack allows for affordable spare acquisition. The inclusion of UHS-I SD card support caters to faster write speeds, beneficial for burst photography and video.

Meanwhile, the TG-630 iHS offers around 220 shots per battery, reflective of its compact form and smaller sensor demand. Its non-interchangeable battery design means users must rely on charging cycles or portable power banks. Storage via standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards supports convenience despite the compact class.

While neither camera offers extraordinary battery life, the E-M10 III’s higher count and quick-charge capability generally afford more sustained shooting flexibility, particularly important for travel and professional use.

Video Capabilities: Addressing the Demands of Modern Content Creators

Video performance is increasingly critical given multimedia content expansion.

The E-M10 III supports 4K UHD video up to 30p at 102 Mbps in MOV (H.264 with Linear PCM audio), a robust offering for entry-level mirrorless cameras dating to 2017. While lacking built-in microphone or headphone jacks, its in-body 5-axis stabilization aids handheld footage stability, delivering smoother motion video without gimbals. 1080p modes offer frame rates up to 60p, suitable for slow-motion effects. Timelapse recording and advanced exposure controls complement creative flexibility.

Conversely, the TG-630 iHS records full HD 1080p video at 60fps but limited to MPEG-4 encoding, with no 4K option. Lacking microphone input and image stabilization beyond sensor-shift, video performance is functional but basic, primarily serving casual users capturing family or travel videos.

For content creators desiring higher resolution and more control, the E-M10 III is the clear winner, while the TG-630 fills the niche for informal video capture.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Strengths and Limitations

Portrait Photography

In portraiture, skin tone rendition, eye detection, and background control are paramount. The E-M10 III, with its larger sensor, advanced face detection AF, and compatibility with fast primes (e.g., 45mm f/1.8), produces creamy bokeh and nuanced tonal gradations. Its AF system tracks eyes with reasonable accuracy, fostering sharp portraits.

The TG-630 iHS has basic face detection but suffers from smaller sensor depth-of-field, impairing subject isolation. Its slower lens limits background separation, making it less suited for professional portraiture.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters prize resolution, dynamic range, and weather resistance. Though the E-M10 III’s 16MP is modest compared to full-frame peers, it offers significantly improved resolution and latitude over the TG-630’s 12MP compact sensor, facilitating detailed landscapes with better highlight and shadow retention. However, Olympus’s absence of weather sealing here could be a limiting factor in harsh environments.

The TG-630’s ruggedness permits shooting in adverse weather; however, image quality constraints weigh heavily against it for serious landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

While neither camera targets professional wildlife or sports use, the E-M10 III’s faster autofocus, higher continuous frame rate (8.6 fps), and interchangeable telephoto lenses enable casual wildlife and sports capture, though with limitations in predictive AF.

The TG-630 offers 5fps continuous shooting with slower AF - suitable only for slow or static subjects.

Street Photography

Portability and discreteness are key. The TG-630’s compactness and stealthy profile make it eminently pocketable and unobtrusive, favoring candid street shots, despite limited manual control.

The E-M10 III, larger but with silent shutter mode (up to 1/16000s), can also serve street photographers seeking more control, though it demands carrying extra lenses.

Macro Photography

The TG-630 shines with a close focusing distance of 1cm, enabling practical macro shooting in a compact package.

The E-M10 III paired with purpose-built MFT macro lenses provides superior image quality and detail but at the expense of cost and bulk.

Night and Astro Photography

The larger sensor and higher max ISO (25600 native on E-M10 III vs. 6400 on TG-630) make the E-M10 III significantly more capable in low-light and night scenes. Its in-body stabilization helps capture longer exposures handheld, beneficial for deep-sky and astrophotography with appropriate lenses.

The TG-630 struggles in such scenarios due to noise and limited exposure capabilities.

Professional Workflow Considerations: RAW Support and Connectivity

A crucial facet for professionals is RAW format availability and integration capability.

The E-M10 III supports RAW image capture, allowing extensive post-processing flexibility, essential for professional workflows. It also offers built-in Wi-Fi for rapid file transfer and remote control, streamlining tethered shooting.

The TG-630 does not support RAW, relegating users to compressed JPEG outputs, which undermines editing latitude. Wireless connectivity is absent, limiting integration.

Therefore, the E-M10 III aligns better with professional demands and advanced enthusiasts.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Is the Investment Justified?

Current market pricing places the Olympus E-M10 III at approximately $650, while the TG-630 iHS is markedly more affordable around $200.

This substantial price gap reflects their respective positioning: the E-M10 III targets entry-level to intermediate photographers demanding versatility, image quality, and creative control, whereas the TG-630 meets needs for dependable, rugged, and no-frills shooting on a budget.

While the higher upfront cost may be a barrier, the E-M10 III delivers a strong value proposition via its feature set, expandability, and performance.

Side-by-Side Sample Gallery: Visual Evidence of Capability

Olympus E M10 MIII front Olympus E M10 MIII screen back Olympus TG 630 iHS front Olympus TG 630 iHS screen back

Here, a curated selection of real-world photographs highlights the E-M10 III’s richer detail, better color fidelity, and controlled depth-of-field, contrasted with the TG-630's competent but flatter, less detailed outputs, especially in shadows and low-light conditions.

Summarizing the Scores: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

Analyses consistently show the E-M10 III outperforming in nearly all categories except portability and ruggedness, where the TG-630 excels unequivocally.

Final Recommendations: Matching Cameras to User Profiles

Choose the Olympus E-M10 III if you:

• Are an entry-level or enthusiast photographer seeking expandable and versatile gear
• Desire better image quality, especially in portraits, landscapes, and low-light
• Value creative control with manual focus, exposure modes, and RAW shooting
• Require better video capabilities including 4K and in-body stabilization
• Have a moderate budget and can invest in lenses over time
• Need Wi-Fi connectivity and a sophisticated interface

Opt for the Olympus TG-630 iHS if you:

• Prioritize ultimate ruggedness and waterproof capabilities for adventure or underwater use
• Need a portable, pocket-friendly camera without the hassle of interchangeable lenses
• Shoot primarily in bright light and casual scenarios without professional editing needs
• Have a tight budget and want a simple, easy-to-use camera that can withstand tough conditions
• Value close macro focus distances in a compact body

Closing Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Worlds

Olympus, through these two cameras, encapsulates how nuanced the camera industry is - from the thoughtfully engineered mirrorless E-M10 III tailored for creative professionals and advanced amateurs to the trail-ready, reliable, and rugged TG-630 iHS designed for carefree outdoor use.

By grounding my evaluation in rigorous technical analysis and practical field experience, this comparison aims to empower you to select the Olympus camera that will best complement your photographic aspirations and lifestyle.

Choosing wisely is not merely about specs but about matching a tool to your creative vision and shooting environment.

Happy shooting!