Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Olympus TG-2 iHS: A Deep Dive into Compact Camera Versatility and Performance

Within the realm of compact cameras, Olympus has long stood out for its innovative and purpose-driven designs. The Olympus SP-620 UZ and the Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS, while both compact cameras, cater to notably different shooting scenarios and user priorities. By delving into their technical attributes, handling characteristics, and real-world performance across multiple photographic genres, this detailed comparison aims to equip enthusiasts and professionals alike with the nuanced understanding necessary to select the model best matched to their photographic ambitions.

Exploring the Body and Ergonomics: Compact but Contrasting

At first encounter, the SP-620 UZ and TG-2 iHS reveal contrasting philosophies in size, weight, and physical controls - factors critical to real-world usability.

• SP-620 UZ: Weighing in at 435g and measuring 110 x 74 x 74 mm, this model has a relatively bulky, boxy compact profile. Its design is more traditional, leaning on a thicker grip area to facilitate a stable one-handed hold, especially useful given its extended superzoom lens. This robustness, however, comes at the cost of portability.

• TG-2 iHS: At nearly half the weight (230g) and a slimmer profile of 111 x 67 x 29 mm, the TG-2 iHS aligns itself with users demanding ruggedness without sheer bulk. The camera’s compactness and flatter shape make for excellent pocketability, crucial for travel and outdoor shooting scenarios.

While neither sports an electronic viewfinder, both rely on a fixed rear LCD for framing and interaction - a trade-off common in this segment, though its implications differ as we’ll detail later.

Their control layouts are minimalist yet different: the SP-620 UZ offers straightforward exposure adjustments albeit no manual exposure modes, with a cluster of buttons suited to quick access; the TG-2 iHS integrates similarly essential controls but with added durability in mind, emphasizing sealed button mechanisms that contribute to its environmental resistance.

Sensor and Image Quality: Understanding the Heart of Each Camera

At the technical core, both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch sensor size of 6.17 x 4.55 mm, but diverge in key sensor technology and resolution:

The SP-620 UZ employs a 16-megapixel CCD sensor - a technology generally associated with good color rendition and moderate noise performance in bright conditions but less adept at handling higher ISOs or dynamic range compared to modern CMOS architectures. The TG-2 iHS’s 12-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, conversely, tends to excel in low-light situations, delivering cleaner high-ISO images due to its backside-illuminated design which increases light gathering efficiency.

Technical implications for image quality:

• Dynamic Range and Noise Handling: The TG-2 iHS’s CMOS sensor supports higher native ISOs (up to 6400) allowing for greater flexibility in challenging lighting, particularly useful for night, street, and indoor photography where raising ISO is unavoidable. Its sensor is also optimized for better dynamic range, which conveys enhanced detail retrieval in shadows and highlights.

• Resolution vs Detail Rendering: While the 16 MP sensor of the SP-620 UZ offers a higher pixel count, its smaller and older CCD can be noisier at higher ISOs, diminishing fine detail. The TG-2's lower pixel count is offset by cleaner images under diverse conditions.

• Colour Science: Both cameras benefit from Olympus’s color processing but differ in processor generations (TruePic III+ for SP-620 UZ versus unspecified but newer circuitry in TG-2 iHS). Real-world tests confirm the TG-2 provides punchier color with better contrast fidelity, particularly in vibrant outdoor scenes.

In summary, the TG-2 iHS features a technically more advanced sensor platform that supports a wider range of photographic situations, while the SP-620 UZ's higher resolution caters better to daylight shooting where cropping or large prints are priorities.

Viewing and User Interface: Balancing Clarity and Interaction

Both cameras utilize fixed 3-inch LCD screens but differ wildly in quality and usability.

• The SP-620 UZ sports a basic TFT display at 230k-dot resolution, which by today's standards is dim and offers limited sharpness, complicating precise focusing, particularly in bright environments.

• The TG-2 iHS upgrades to a 610k-dot OLED display, which provides notably better contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles - ingredients critical for confident composition outdoors, especially under direct sunlight.

Neither model offers touchscreen capabilities, nor do they provide electronic viewfinders, limiting their utility in bright light or for users preferring traditional eye-level shooting. However, the TG-2’s brighter display partially compensates for the absence of a viewfinder.

The UI design remains straightforward, prioritizing ease of use with intuitive menus. The TG-2 notably includes customizable white balance options and advanced autofocus area modes, improving photographer control in field conditions - a feature absent or limited on the SP-620 UZ.

Autofocus and Shooting Dynamics: Real-World Responsiveness

Both models employ contrast-detection autofocus systems with face detection capabilities but present differences that greatly impact usability depending on shooting disciplines.

• The SP-620 UZ offers rudimentary autofocus tracking and face detection, suitable for casual shooting but with noticeable lag and hunting in low contrast or low light, limiting its effectiveness in fast-paced scenarios such as sports or wildlife.

• The TG-2 iHS improves autofocus agility with additional area selection modes and marginally faster continuous shooting (5 fps), beneficial for capturing action or fleeting moments. The higher max shutter speed also allows better control for fast-moving subjects and brighter environments.

In practical testing, the TG-2’s autofocus exhibits quicker locking when photographing macro subjects (with 1cm close focus), outdoors, or under variable lighting, while the SP-620 UZ may struggle to keep up, especially when utilizing the full 21x optical zoom range, given lens speed limits (f/3.1-5.8).

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach vs. Brightness

Arguably the defining difference lies in the lens specifications and intended shooting purposes:

• The SP-620 UZ’s hallmark feature is its extreme 21x zoom, an exceptional reach extending from wide angle to super-telephoto, ideal for subjects distant or difficult to approach (wildlife, sports). However, narrower apertures at the long end limit performance in low light and reduce bokeh quality.

• Conversely, the TG-2 prioritizes optical quality and speed with a faster lens (f/2.0 at wide), excellent for indoor, low light, and shallow depth-of-field effects. Its 4x zoom range is typical for rugged compacts, focusing more on steady, high-quality optics than zoom extremes.

This fundamental design distinction immediately positions the SP-620 UZ as a superzoom powerhouse optimized for versatility but with compromises on aperture and screen brightness, while the TG-2 aims at durability with balanced optical performance.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Ready for Adventure?

Olympus SP 620 UZ front Olympus SP 620 UZ screen back Olympus TG 2 iHS front Olympus TG 2 iHS screen back

Outdoor photographers will immediately recognize the TG-2 iHS’s protective construction as a game changer. The “Tough” series name is no accident: it boasts crushproof housing able to withstand up to 100kgf, and environmental sealing that protects against light water exposure and dust ingress, albeit it is not fully waterproof nor shockproof.

• The SP-620 UZ, lacking any environmental sealing, requires careful handling and protection in challenging conditions. Its construction suits controlled environments but prohibits rugged use in adverse weather or terrain.

Photography Genre Performance: Where Each Camera Excels

By dissecting their performance, strengths, and weaknesses across major photographic styles, photographers can better envisage real-life utility.

1. Portraiture

• SP-620 UZ: Limited by slower apertures at telephoto focal lengths, it struggles to create creamy bokeh or subject isolation but delivers respectable skin tones under natural light thanks to the CCD sensor color rendering. Lack of advanced face and eye detection autofocus reduces portrait-specific accuracy.

• TG-2 iHS: Faster aperture lenses (f/2.0 wide) enable better subject separation and bokeh, supported by its extensive face detection AF modes for sharper eyes and faces, improving overall portrait quality especially in controlled environments or fill-flash situations.

2. Landscape Photography

• SP-620 UZ: Higher resolution sensor provides ample detail for landscape prints; however, limited dynamic range and lower ISO capabilities restrict RAW-like post-processing flexibility. Build lacks weather sealing, discouraging use in poor weather.

• TG-2 iHS: Though lower in resolution, its sensor’s enhanced dynamic range and cleaner high-ISO images accommodate a broader range of light scenarios. The rugged body invites outdoor use in harsh conditions and the OLED screen aids composition in strong daylight.

3. Wildlife Photography

• SP-620 UZ: The 21x zoom acts as a decisive advantage, allowing distant subjects to be framed clearly. However, AF speed and lack of continuous shooting limit success rates on fast-moving animals.

• TG-2 iHS: AF improvements help but shorter zoom range reduces flexibility in capturing distant wildlife. Nevertheless, durability suits demanding terrains.

4. Sports Photography

• SP-620 UZ: Slow burst shooting and AF constraints limit utility.

• TG-2 iHS: 5 fps burst shooting makes capturing action possible, but short zoom not ideal for far-field sporting events.

5. Street Photography

• SP-620 UZ: Bulk and zoom size makes discreet shooting tough; slow AF may frustrate candid capture.

• TG-2 iHS: Compactness, fast lens, and silent shutter mode (when engaged) favor street use; bright display enhances framing.

6. Macro Photography

Both feature 1 cm macro capability; however, the TG-2 iHS gains points for sharper optics, faster lens, and better focusing area selection, improving creative macro work.

7. Night and Astro Photography

• SP-620 UZ: Limited high ISO capacity and screen visibility hinder night shooting.

• TG-2 iHS: Superior ISO range, image stabilization, and clearer screen enhance night and astrophotography potential despite sensor size constraints.

8. Video Capabilities

The TG-2 iHS confidently takes the lead with full HD 1080p capture, providing sharper detail and more flexibility for casual video recording. Both lack external mic inputs, limiting professional audio capture.

9. Travel Photography

Here, weight, size, durability, and versatility balance out differently:

• The SP-620 UZ, while heavier and bulkier, offers incredible zoom reach suited to diverse scene capturing, but its fragility demands cautious handling.

• The TG-2 iHS shines with lightweight portability, ruggedness, and excellent image quality, making it arguably the superior travel companion for active and adventurous photographers.

10. Professional Use

Neither camera meets higher-end professional standards such as RAW support (both lack), advanced exposure controls, or modular functionality. However, the TG-2 fares better for certain niche professional applications requiring robustness and quick response in challenging environments (e.g., field researchers, environmental documentation).

Build Quality, Battery, and Connectivity: Everyday Practicalities

• Build and Environmental Sealing: Only the TG-2 iHS offers environmental resistance (crushproof and weather-sealed), a critical factor for rugged use.

• Battery Life: The TG-2 iHS features a rechargeable Li-ion battery rated for approximately 350 shots per charge, aligned with modern compact cameras. The SP-620 UZ relies on four AA batteries - more universal but less convenient, especially as alkaline cells typically provide fewer shots and consistent output than NiMH rechargeables.

• Storage: Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single card slots, standard for compact cameras.

• Connectivity: The SP-620 UZ supports Eye-Fi wireless SD card integration, a clever inclusion in 2012 for wireless image transfer, but lacks Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The TG-2 iHS does not offer wireless connectivity but includes built-in GPS, a valuable addition for travel and location tagging.

• Ports: Both have full-size HDMI outputs and USB 2.0 connectivity, supporting external playback and image transfer.

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses

Recommendations Tailored to Your Needs

• Superzoom Enthusiasts and Daytime Wildlife Photographers: The Olympus SP-620 UZ remains a compelling choice for those prioritizing reach, casual use in good light, and photo opportunities involving distant subjects, such as birdwatching or event photography without demanding high-speed AF or extensive environmental sealing. Its simple design and AA battery system add convenience for travel where charging options may be limited.

• Outdoor Adventurers, Rugged Travel, and Versatile Everyday Use: The Olympus TG-2 iHS excels for photographers who value durability and broader photographic capability (low-light, video, macro, and geolocation). Its robust build encourages shooting in challenging conditions, including hiking, beach trips, or urban exploration, while improved image quality and video specs provide creative freedom beyond casual stills.

• Entry-Level Users Seeking Ease-of-Use: Both cameras miss out on manual controls and RAW file support, making them more aligned with beginners or casual shooters. However, the TG-2’s superior autofocus, screen, and ruggedness better future-proof it against various scenarios as skills progress.

Final Thoughts: Picking the Right Olympus Compact for Your Vision

Choosing between the Olympus SP-620 UZ and TG-2 iHS ultimately hinges on defining your photographic priorities.

• If your primary intent is to carry a single compact camera with extraordinary zoom for general photography and travel, acknowledging limited low-light performance and durability, the SP-620 UZ delivers remarkable focal length flexibility in a straightforward package.

• If you demand a tougher, more versatile camera capable of succeeding in diverse environments - including challenging lighting, macro work, and video - the Olympus TG-2 iHS’s combination of advanced sensor, rugged body, and richer multimedia options make it a more future-ready companion.

Both cameras embody Olympus's dedication to specialized compact design, tailored for users committed to photography without the bulk and complexity of interchangeable lens systems.

We hope this exhaustive comparison - rooted in hands-on testing and technical scrutiny - has illuminated the subtle yet impactful distinctions that define each model. Choose wisely, based on your individualized shooting scenarios and priorities, for years of photographic enjoyment ahead.