Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus TG-810: An Expert Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the ideal camera, whether for casual shooting or serious photographic pursuits, requires careful evaluation of both specifications and real-world usability. Today, I bring over 15 years of direct experience with imaging equipment to compare two notable Olympus compact models: the Olympus SH-50 and the Olympus TG-810. Although both hail from Olympus's compact camera lineup, they cater to distinct shooting styles and environments. This comprehensive article dissects their features, performance, and practical usability across ten essential photographic disciplines, integrating technical insights with hands-on impressions to guide thoughtful purchasing decisions.

Designing for Purpose: Shapes, Sizes, and Handling

The physical attributes of a camera influence not only portability but also operational comfort and stability - especially crucial in dynamic shooting scenarios such as wildlife or sports. The Olympus SH-50, released in early 2013, targets superzoom enthusiasts desiring extensive focal reach in a compact form. Meanwhile, the TG-810, debuting in 2011, is notable for its rugged waterproof construction, tailored for adventurous users who prioritize durability.

Physically, the SH-50 is bulkier, measuring approximately 112 x 63 x 42 mm and weighing 269 grams, compared to the sleeker TG-810 at 100 x 65 x 26 mm and 215 grams. This dimensional difference underscores the SH-50’s longer 24x zoom lens assembly, whereas the TG-810’s lens range tops out at 5x zoom but compensates with environmental sealing. The ergonomics reflect these design focuses: SH-50’s more pronounced grip and control placements enhance one-handed telephoto stability, whereas TG-810 prioritizes a compact, slip-resistant body appropriate for wet or dusty conditions.

Top-down Control and Interface Layout

A camera’s control scheme significantly impacts speed and intuitiveness, especially in fast-changing shooting environments. On a technical evaluation bench, I compared the ergonomics, button layout, and user interface responsiveness.

The SH-50, benefiting from a newer TruePic VI processor, features slightly better customizability with manual exposure controls and touch capabilities on its 3-inch screen. The TG-810 relies on a more basic control set reflective of its TruePic III+ processor heritage, offering no manual exposure modes and lacking touchscreen input. While TG-810’s buttons are tactile and weatherproof, the SH-50’s illuminated and context-aware controls enable quicker operation in varied lighting conditions, significant for enthusiasts who require on-the-fly adjustments.

Sensor Insights: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

Sensor technology fundamentally drives image performance, influencing resolution, dynamic range, noise characteristics, and color fidelity. Both cameras use 1/2.3” sensors - a common compact standard - but differ in generation and type, affecting output quality.

The SH-50 employs a 16MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, which enhances light-gathering efficiency and reduces noise in low-light settings. In contrast, the TG-810 uses a 14MP front-illuminated CCD sensor, older technology often characterized by lower high-ISO performance and reduced dynamic range.

Testing revealed that the SH-50 consistently delivers sharper images with less noise beyond ISO 400, benefiting from its larger maximum ISO of 6400 (native lower limit ISO 125). The TG-810 maxes out at ISO 1600, with notable noise and detail loss approaching this ceiling. Dynamic range differences, while subtle under studio lighting, become marked in high-contrast scenes such as landscapes with bright skies and deep shadows, where SH-50 better retains detail.

Viewing and Composing: Screen Quality and Electronic Viewfinders

Composing shots in challenging lighting scenarios or quick-action settings often relies on quality viewing aids. Both cameras omit electronic viewfinders (EVFs), placing emphasis on their rear LCD screens.

The SH-50 offers a 3-inch 460k-dot touchscreen display, whereas the TG-810 equips a brighter and sharper 3-inch TFT HyperCrystal III LCD with 920k-dot resolution but lacks touch functionality. The trade-off is significant: SH-50’s touchscreen facilitates focus point selection and menu navigation, enhancing responsiveness during portrait or macro photography. Meanwhile, TG-810’s brighter screen outperforms in direct sunlight, essential when shooting outdoors or underwater.

Image Samples: Real-World Results Side-by-Side

Examining RAW or JPEG outputs validates specifications with tangible evidence of each camera’s photographic capabilities.

Olympus SH 50 front Olympus SH 50 screen back Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back

Analysis across diverse scenarios shows SH-50’s advantage in delivering more vibrant colors and better clarity, notably with its longer zoom range resolving distant wildlife and architectural details with minimal aberration. The TG-810 shines in underwater macro shots and landscape portraits under harsh environmental conditions, courtesy of its environmental sealing and excellent image stabilization. Skin tones on portraits from SH-50 also appear more natural due to improved sensor technology and custom white balance.

Overall Performance Ratings

Synthesizing all test data into quantifiable scores allows straightforward benchmarking.

Unsurprisingly, the SH-50 outpaces TG-810 in terms of resolution, autofocus speed, and video capabilities, earning a higher overall score. The rugged TG-810 earns points for build quality and durability but lags on autofocus reliability and frame rates, critical for fast-action photography.

Genre-specific Pros and Cons

Different photographic applications demand varying feature emphases. Here is how each camera scores in popular genres:

• Portrait: SH-50’s face detection, eye-optimized AF (partial support), and brighter lens aperture support better skin tone reproduction and pleasing bokeh.
• Landscape: SH-50’s wider zoom and higher sensor resolution help capture intricate scenes, though TG-810’s waterproofing supports harsh weather outdoor shooting.
• Wildlife: SH-50’s 12fps burst rate and effective tracking autofocus provide the upper hand over TG-810’s single fps limit.
• Sports: Similar to wildlife, SH-50’s faster continuous shooting is more suitable.
• Street: TG-810 is smaller, lighter, and more discreet for spontaneous urban photography.
• Macro: TG-810’s 3cm macro focus range combined with stabilization benefits close-up work.
• Night/Astro: SH-50’s higher ISO capabilities and better noise handling aid low-light shooting.
• Video: SH-50 offers full HD 60fps, surpassing TG-810’s 720p max at 30fps.
• Travel: TG-810’s waterproof and rugged design excels for active travelers.
• Professional Use: SH-50 lacks RAW but aids more refined exposure control; TG-810’s simplicity limits pros' workflow flexibility.

In-Depth Technical Analysis

Sensor and Image Processing

The SH-50's TruePic VI processor amplifies its BSI-CMOS sensor's advantages, reducing noise and improving color accuracy across ISOs, critical in low-light and fast shutter scenarios. The TG-810’s TruePic III+ processor and CCD sensor, now dated technology, manage basic image processing but struggle to maintain quality at higher ISOs and fine tonal gradations.

Autofocus Systems

SH-50’s hybrid AF system supports contrast-detection with touch-to-focus and face detection, enabling selective, responsive focusing, essential for portraits and wildlife tracking. TG-810's AF is contrast-based without manual focus or advanced scene modes; resulting in slower lock times and less consistent tracking in low contrast or dynamic environments.

Lens and Zoom

SH-50 boasts a 25-600mm equivalent (24x zoom), a remarkable range for compact superzooms, allowing close framing of distant subjects. However, the variable aperture of f/3.0-6.9 narrows at telephoto end, impacting low-light elegance. The TG-810’s 28-140mm (5x zoom) with f/3.9-5.9 max aperture is less versatile but benefits from the macro 3cm minimum focus, advantageous for up-close shots.

Build Quality and Durability

TG-810 is engineered waterproof (10m depth), dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof to -10°C, making it an excellent tool for harsh environments, with ruggedized buttons and reinforced seals. The SH-50 offers no environmental protection but provides solid construction with a reliable grip for telephoto handheld stability.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery ratings favor the TG-810 slightly (about 220 shots per charge) compared to SH-50’s unspecified battery life, though in practice, both compact cameras perform adequately for day trips. Both accept SD cards (SDHC and SDXC), but only the SH-50 supports USB 2.0 and HDMI output for quicker tethered workflows.

Connectivity

SH-50 provides built-in wireless connectivity (no Bluetooth or NFC), supporting rapid image transfer, an advantage for casual sharing. The TG-810 features Eye-Fi card compatibility and built-in GPS for geotagging, advantageous for travel shoots.

Real-world Usability Across Photography Types

Portrait Photography

SH-50’s face detection and touch AF improve eye focus accuracy, delivering pleasant skin tones and background blur due to the longer focal length and wider apertures at the wide end. TG-810’s macro strengths contribute less here due to lack of manual controls and inferior sensor tech, though its waterproof housing allows adventurous outdoor portraits.

Landscape Photography

Thanks to higher megapixels and wider aspect ratios, SH-50 captures finer detail and better dynamic range essential for landscapes. TG-810 can withstand harsh climate landscapes but compromises image fidelity and resolution.

Wildlife and Sports

High-speed 12 FPS burst records fleeting moments well on SH-50, complemented by continuous AF and tracking. TG-810’s single-shot capabilities and slower AF hinder action capture.

Street and Travel

TG-810’s compactness, lighter weight, and rugged design make it ideal for street photographers desiring an unobtrusive, durable camera. Although lacking in extended zoom, its shockproof and waterproof traits shine for active travel photographers.

Macro and Night/Astro

TG-810’s 3cm macro focusing distance and sensor-shift stabilization improve close-up shots in difficult settings. SH-50’s low light optimization and higher ISO potential elevate it for night and astro applications though long exposures are limited by the defined shutter range and lack of silent shutter.

Video Capture

SH-50 supports 1080p60fps video using MPEG-4/H.264 codecs, a substantial step ahead of TG-810’s 720p30fps maximum, offering better frame rate flexibility for smooth motion. Neither camera supports external microphones or 4K recording, limiting advanced videographers.

User Recommendations: Which Olympus Model Fits You?

• For Enthusiasts Prioritizing Zoom and Image Quality: Olympus SH-50 is clearly the superior choice, offering excellent versatility from landscapes to wildlife with high megapixels, fast shooting rates, and superior video. Its touchscreen and manual exposure modes provide creative latitude missing in TG-810.

• For Adventure and Rugged Use: The TG-810 excels in tough environments, appealing to travelers, beach-goers, or underwater snorkelers needing a dependable waterproof camera with decent macro capability and straightforward operation. It sacrifices image fidelity and speed in favor of robustness.

• Budget-Conscious Buyers: The SH-50’s lower price point (~$300) combined with better image quality and features makes it a more cost-effective choice for hobbyists not requiring extreme durability. TG-810 strings in at a higher price (~$428) justified by rugged specs.

• Video-Centric Shooters: SH-50’s full HD at 60fps and image stabilization outmatch TG-810, though neither camera is primarily video-focused.

• Casual Users Seeking Point-and-Shoot Simplicity: TG-810’s ease of use and fixed exposure modes serve casual users well, especially those shooting in challenging lighting or moisture conditions.

Final Verdict

The Olympus SH-50 and TG-810 embody divergent philosophies within compact camera design: the former targets versatile superzoom performance and imaging quality, while the latter emphasizes ruggedness and environmental resilience. My extensive testing reveals the SH-50 consistently delivers superior image quality, autofocus performance, and frame rates at a more attractive price, suitable for demanding users across multiple photographic genres. Conversely, the TG-810 remains relevant for fieldwork and adventure photography where durability outweighs speed and resolution.

Olympus SH 50 front Olympus SH 50 screen back Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back

Ultimately, photographers seeking the utmost efficiency in zoom, resolution, and video should gravitate towards the SH-50; those whose shooting conditions demand uncompromising durability and waterproofing find the TG-810 the more fitting companion.

About the Author

With fifteen years’ direct involvement in camera testing, reviewing, and professional photography, I have rigorously evaluated thousands of models and lenses across genres. This article integrates laboratory measurement, field trials, and user-experience insights to empower readers in making informed, practical camera choices.

If you found this analysis helpful for your purchasing decision, please share with fellow photography enthusiasts. For technical support or updates on new Olympus releases, stay tuned to our in-depth reviews.