Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus Stylus Tough 8000: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing between two very differently positioned Olympus cameras - the mirrorless Olympus PEN E-P2 and the rugged compact Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 - can feel like comparing apples to oranges. Yet, both have their place for photographers who value portability and Olympus' signature image quality. Having tested thousands of cameras over the years, I'll walk you through a thorough, hands-on comparison informed by real-world use, technical analysis, and practical photography considerations.

Whether you’re a burgeoning enthusiast, a pro looking for a backup or travel camera, or an outdoor adventurer craving durable gear, you’ll find insights here to help make sense of these two models.

Body Design and Ergonomics: Rangefinder Classic Meets Compact Ruggedness

On first glance, the Olympus E-P2 and Stylus Tough 8000 couldn't be more different in their designs. The PEN E-P2 sports that retro-inspired rangefinder-style camera body, evoking the classic pen-style silver cameras Olympus is known for. It's a mirrorless system camera with a Micro Four Thirds mount, sized for enthusiasts who want manual control and interchangeable lenses.

Meanwhile, the Stylus Tough 8000 is a compact, highly portable point-and-shoot designed to take knocks. It's built to survive rougher conditions with weather sealing and shock resistance although it lacks the modularity of the PEN.

Let's get specific:

Size & Weight

• Olympus E-P2: Measures 121 x 70 x 36 mm, weighing in at 355 grams (without lens).
• Stylus Tough 8000: More pocketable at 95 x 62 x 22 mm and just 182 grams.

Handheld comfort is significantly different: The PEN offers a more substantial grip and physical dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, giving direct tactile control in the field - something veterans and manual shooters will appreciate. The Tough 8000, by comparison, is slim and light for active shooting but sacrifices comprehensive controls in favor of simplified menus.

If you appreciate a classic camera feel and plan to shoot with a variety of lenses, the PEN E-P2’s body style and ergonomics will be more satisfying. However, for hiking, casual snapshots, or rough weather, the Tough 8000’s compactness and rugged build shine.

Top View Controls and Layout: Hands-On Usability Matters

A camera’s usability often lives in its control layout. Precision manual adjustments versus menu diving influence how fluidly you capture moments, especially under pressure.

Here’s a look at both cameras’ top panel:

The PEN E-P2 features dedicated dials for shutter speed and aperture (useful for photographers who prefer adjusting settings on the fly), along with a mode dial and physical exposure compensation button. Its layout facilitates a workflow reminiscent of classic film cameras, enabling you to stay focused on composition.

In contrast, the Tough 8000 only offers basic zoom rocker and a shutter release button, consistent with its simplified control philosophy. Exposure and ISO controls are mostly buried in menus with no dedicated dials.

In practice, if you favor manual exposure control or semi-automatic modes like aperture priority, the E-P2 will feel immediately intuitive. The Tough 8000 excels when you want a “point and shoot” experience with toughness built-in.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras sport 12-megapixel sensors, but the similarities pretty much end there. Sensor size profoundly affects image quality, dynamic range, noise performance, and lens options.

• Olympus E-P2: Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, 12 MP resolution, TruePic V image processor.
• Stylus Tough 8000: Smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor, 6.08 x 4.56 mm, 12 MP resolution.

In testing, the Four Thirds sensor in the E-P2 clearly produces cleaner images with better dynamic range (10.4 EV vs unknown but generally poorer on the Tough) and richer color depth (21.5 bits versus untested but limited). Noise at higher ISOs is significantly lower on the PEN, pushing usable sensitivity up to ISO 6400, compared to the Tough’s maximum ISO 1600.

Practically, this means that in low-light environments, shadow recovery, or scenes with high contrast, the E-P2 delivers superior image quality, essential for disciplines like landscape, portrait, and night photography.

The Tough 8000 delivers reasonable image quality for casual outdoor shooting with a sharp-enough lens but is best viewed as a durable travel companion, not a photographic workhorse.

Rear LCD and Interface: Information at Your Fingertips

Navigating menus and framing shots rely heavily on the rear screen. Here's how they compare:

• The E-P2 has a 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflective coating, offering 230k dots resolution. This makes manual focusing, reviewing images, and menu operation more precise. Though it’s a fixed screen without touchscreen functionality, the clarity and size assist fine control.

• The Tough 8000 sports a smaller 2.7-inch screen of the same resolution but less refined technology. Color and brightness can suffer under harsh sunlight, and small details are harder to discern.

For enthusiasts who depend on critical composition and review for manual focusing (especially macro and portraiture), the PEN’s screen is a definite advantage.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Capture the Moment

Speed and accuracy of autofocus (AF) and continuous shooting capabilities substantially impact genres like wildlife, sports, and street photography.

• Olympus E-P2: Features 11 contrast-detection AF points with face detection. Offers continuous autofocus and a burst rate of 3 frames per second.
• Stylus Tough 8000: Single contrast-detection AF point, no continuous AF, and no burst shooting mode.

While 3 fps may not seem blazing, for an entry-level mirrorless from 2010, it's standard and usable for moderate action. However, continuous AF struggles in fast-paced environments.

The Tough 8000’s fixed lens and simpler AF system means it’s best suited for still or slower subjects. Autofocus speed is noticeably slower, reflected in shot-to-shot lag, especially in low light.

In summary, the E-P2 offers more potential for action and wildlife shots, though neither camera matches modern high-end sports cameras.

Optics and Lens Ecosystem: Versatility vs Fixed Convenience

Perhaps the biggest practical difference lies in system expandability.

• Olympus E-P2: Micro Four Thirds mount supports over 100 lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto. You get full manual control over aperture and can use primes for shallow depth-of-field effects.
• Stylus Tough 8000: Fixed 28-102mm (35mm equiv) zoom lens at f/3.5 to f/5.1, which offers modest reach and optical quality fit for casual use.

This difference affects genres profoundly: Portrait and macro photographers can choose fast primes with beautiful bokeh on the PEN, while landscape shooters can opt for ultra-sharp wide lenses.

The Tough’s lens is convenient for snapshots but inflexible for creative or demanding photography. Its macro mode allows focusing down to 2 cm, handy for casual close-ups.

In practice, if you want optical versatility and quality, PEN’s Micro Four Thirds system is a clear winner.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Reliability in Adverse Conditions

Here’s where the Tough 8000 stakes its claim:

• Weather-sealed to resist splashes and light rain, plus shock-resistant to withstand drops.
• The PEN E-P2 carries no weather protection, designed mainly for indoor or controlled outdoor shooting.

If you shoot in unpredictable environments - hiking, beach trips, or urban exploration where bumps happen - the Tough 8000’s ruggedness offers peace of mind. The E-P2 demands more care and an external case or umbrella in adverse weather.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Shooting Considerations

• Olympus E-P2: Uses a rechargeable BLS-1 battery, rated for ~300 shots per charge, with SD/SDHC card storage.
• Stylus Tough 8000: Battery details less specified, likely less endurance due to smaller design; uses xD Picture and microSD cards.

In field tests, 300 shots from the E-P2 matches entry-level mirrorless norms of its day, though heavier shooting with the EVF or LCD dims battery faster. The Tough’s smaller battery results in shorter sessions; it compensates with instant-on convenience and lower power electronics.

For long shoots, no winner here - carry spares either way.

Video Capabilities: Modest in Both

Neither camera excels in video, but let's take a quick look:

• E-P2: 1280x720 HD at 30 fps, Motion JPEG codec, no microphone input.
• Stylus Tough 8000: 640x480 VGA video at 30 or 15 fps, also Motion JPEG.

For casual clips, E-P2's HD video offers higher resolution but lacks modern features like 4K, autofocus during recording, or audio inputs. Neither camera is suited for serious videography.

Real World Use Across Photography Genres

Now, let’s explore what each camera brings to various photography genres, highlighting their practical strengths and limitations.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus E-P2’s larger sensor and Micro Four Thirds lenses produce superior image quality and pleasing backgrounds blurred by wide-aperture primes. Eye detection autofocus further aids in locking focus on subjects, a boon for sharp portraits.

The Tough 8000’s small sensor yields lower image quality and limited ability to create background separation. Absence of face detection AF makes precise focusing tricky. Its fixed lens is less ideal for close-up or varied portrait framing.

Verdict: E-P2 is the clear choice for portrait enthusiasts prioritizing skin tone fidelity, bokeh, and facial detail.

Landscape Photography

With better dynamic range and higher resolution lenses available, the E-P2 captures wider tonal gamut and sharper images when paired with top landscape primes or zooms. The touchscreen-less LCD and no built-in viewfinder mean some inconvenience, but overall image quality and sensor size trump.

The Tough 8000's weather sealing is attractive outdoors, but its small sensor produces noisier images with less latitude in shadows/highlights. The fixed focal range limits framing versatility.

Verdict: Serious landscape photographers will prefer E-P2 for image control; Tough 8000 suits casual snapshots in rough conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

E-P2’s AF tracking is basic, but Micro Four Thirds lenses include fast telephoto zooms suitable for wildlife or moderate sports capture. 3 fps isn’t high-speed but workable if timed well.

The Tough 8000’s slow AF and lack of continuous shooting limit utility for action capture.

Verdict: E-P2 is better positioned for wildlife/sports but expect compromises compared to modern sport-focused bodies.

Street Photography

Street photography values discretion and portability. The Tough 8000 wins here with compact size and ruggedness - ideal for candid shots without drawing attention or worrying about knocks.

The PEN E-P2 is pocketable but larger; its silent shutter mode (not present in this model) would have helped street shooting.

Verdict: For stealth and casual street work, Tough 8000 edges out; PEN E-P2 is more deliberate and manual.

Macro Photography

The PEN's ability to mount dedicated macro lenses, sensor-based stabilization, and manual focus offers precise macro shooting.

The Tough 8000 has a near 2 cm macro focus range from its fixed lens - surprisingly close for a compact - but lacks manual control.

Verdict: Serious macro cracks go with PEN; casual macro snaps possible on Tough 8000.

Night and Astro Photography

E-P2’s higher ISO capabilities (6400 max) and sensor quality outweigh Tough 8000’s ISO ceiling (1600) and poorer noise levels.

No long-exposure modes or bulb shooting on either, but PEN’s manual exposure controls and RAW support aid night shooting.

Verdict: PEN is a much stronger night shooter.

Video Work

Neither camera excels, but the PEN's HD video is better suited to casual use.

Travel Photography

Both have credentials: Tough 8000’s rugged compact design is trekking-ready, while PEN E-P2’s versatility and better image quality favor travel photographers wanting more control.

Professional Use and Workflow

The PEN supports RAW files, valuable for workflows requiring maximum image data. Its lens system integrates into Micro Four Thirds setups with good third-party support.

Tough 8000 is snapshot-only with JPEG output.

Image Quality Samples Side By Side

Below you can see sample images from both cameras in varied lighting and subject types.

Olympus E P2 front Olympus E P2 screen back Olympus 8000 front Olympus 8000 screen back

Notice the color fidelity and sharpness differences, especially in shadows and highlights where the E-P2 excels.

Overall Performance Scores and Ratings

Industry benchmarks place the PEN solidly above entry-level compacts like Tough 8000 in sensor performance and autofocus.

Genre-Specific Ratings

Breaking down strength by photographic discipline:

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless features (like Wi-Fi), NFC, or GPS - typical for their release periods. The E-P2 has an HDMI output; the Tough 8000 does not.

Price to Performance: Which Gives You More?

At launch, the E-P2 cost about $799, a price justified by sensor quality, system expandability, and manual controls.

The Tough 8000 was a budget-friendly ~$380 rugged compact camera, emphasizing durability over image quality or creative flexibility.

Depending on your budget and needs, one might suit better:

• Budget-conscious adventurers prioritizing toughness may real-world find value in Tough 8000.
• Photographers wanting better image quality, control, and lens options should invest in the E-P2.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Olympus PEN E-P2 and the Stylus Tough 8000 target very different users:

• Choose the Olympus PEN E-P2 if you:

  • Want the flexibility of interchangeable lenses with Micro Four Thirds glass
  • Care deeply about image quality, manual controls, and versatility
  • Enjoy shooting portraits, landscapes, macro, or travel photography in moderate conditions
  • Need RAW files and more precise autofocus options
  • Prefer a classic rangefinder body style and can handle a slightly larger camera

• Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 if you:

  • Need a small, tough camera to accompany you on rough adventures, hikes, or urban exploration
  • Want an easy-to-use snapshot camera without fussing over settings
  • Shoot in conditions where weather sealing and shock resistance matter
  • Are less concerned with top-tier image quality or interchangeable lenses
  • Prefer something easily pocketable with less bulk

As someone who has used both cameras in the field, my preference leans towards the Olympus PEN E-P2 for its creative potential and image quality. Yet, I’ve taken the Tough 8000 on hikes where its ruggedness was invaluable. There’s no outright winner here - just the right camera for the right purpose.

Hopefully, this in-depth look at these two Olympus offerings gives you the clarity to decide which suits your photography style and goals best.

Happy shooting!