Olympus SZ-11 vs Olympus TG-320

Choosing Between the Olympus SZ-11 and TG-320: A Hands-On Expert Comparison

When it comes to compact cameras with very different ambitions, Olympus’ SZ-11 and TG-320 offer two distinct narratives in one neat package. As someone who has spent years testing cameras across dozens of scenarios - from rugged wildlife escapades to street candid shots and family vacations - I’m here to unpack what these two cameras bring to the table, their strengths, their quirks, and in which pockets they might snugly fit.

If you’re hunting for a budget-friendly superzoom or need a tough-as-nails waterproof compact, this detailed hands-on comparison will help you sift through the specs and real-world usability - all while keeping your money’s worth in clear focus.

Olympus SZ-11 vs. TG-320: Seeing the Cameras Up Close

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let’s start with a quick visual and physical comparison.

The SZ-11 is noticeably chunkier than the TG-320, measuring 106x69x40 mm and weighing in at 226 grams. The TG-320, with its more compact 96x63x23 mm frame and lighter 155 grams, feels like a slimmer companion that won’t bog you down, especially when on the move.

Gripping either is straightforward, but the SZ-11’s bulkier body will appeal to those who like a substantial feel - a definite plus if you’re prone to shaky hands. The TG-320’s smaller size and rugged waterproof casing make it an easy fit for active or adventurous lifestyles - it’s almost like a go-anywhere, do-anything camera.

First Impressions: Control Layout and Handling

I examined the ergonomics from a photographer’s perspective, checking control placement and ease of use during rapid shooting scenarios.

Both cameras steer clear of elaborate control clubs for thumbs or dials; Olympus clearly designed these for simplicity over customization. The SZ-11 has a slightly larger top deck, giving the zoom lever and shutter button more room to breathe, which feels more natural when holding for extended periods. The TG-320 keeps it minimalist but offers a simple, tactile approach that’s easy to pick up - even for beginners or kids (the “pet auto shutter” mode is a fun touch here).

Neither camera offers manual exposure modes or RAW shooting support - which, from my experience shooting landscapes or portraits where tweaks matter, is a limiting factor. Both settle for mostly point-and-shoot simplicity with a few scene modes and automatic adjustments.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s get technical and compare their sensors - the real meat-and-potatoes behind image quality.

Both the Olympus SZ-11 and TG-320 utilize a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55mm with a 14MP resolution. This sensor size is typical for compact cameras from their era and dictates certain inherent performance characteristics.

CCD sensors have a certain charm: they offer pleasant color rendition and relatively low noise at base ISOs but tend to lag behind modern CMOS sensors in high-ISO performance and dynamic range. Neither camera pushes past ISO 1600, and neither offers RAW capture to take maximum advantage of image data.

In real-world shooting, I found both deliver similar image quality in bright daylight with decent sharpness and pleasing color. The SZ-11, however, edges out thanks to its longer zoom lens (25-500mm equivalent) giving you a huge telephoto reach without changing lenses. The tradeoff is a narrower aperture at the tele end (f/6.9), which can compromise low light or fast-action shots.

The TG-320’s shorter zoom range (28-102mm equivalent) offers less telephoto flexibility but performs slightly better in everyday shooting, especially under cloudy or indoor lighting, owing to a slightly faster aperture range (f/3.5-5.1). Moreover, its waterproof and ruggedized build allows outdoor shooting in wet or cold environments where the SZ-11 would be out of its depth.

LCD Screen and Live View Functionality

For compositions and reviewing images, screen quality matters a lot.

The SZ-11 sports a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution, noticeably sharper and larger than the TG-320’s 2.7-inch 230k-dot screen. This larger, more detailed screen makes framing and evaluating images easier and more comfortable for long sessions.

Neither camera offers touchscreens or electronic viewfinders, limiting the shooting styles to mostly LCD-based Live View. The SZ-11 supports autofocus during live view, giving quicker focus confirmation compared to the TG-320, which surprisingly lacks this during live view - something I found irritating when trying to compose quickly.

Performance Under Fire: Autofocus, Burst Mode, and Shutter Speed

In dynamic situations like wildlife or street photography, camera responsiveness is key.

The SZ-11’s autofocus system is contrast detection based, with face detection and multi-area focus points. It allows face tracking and single autofocus modes. The camera can shoot at a respectable 7 frames per second (fps) continuous burst, which is surprisingly spritely for a compact of its class - even if autofocus tracking is basic.

The TG-320, on the other hand, offers a slower continuous shooting speed of 1 fps, making it less suitable for sports or wildlife where catching fast movement is critical. Autofocus points are fewer and less versatile, without multi-area or advanced tracking options.

Shutter speeds on both cameras range from 4s to 1/2000s, which covers basic needs but limits long-exposure creativity or freezing very fast motion.

Durability and Weather Resistance: The TG-320’s Winning Edge

If you’re outdoorsy or just a bit clumsy like me, camera durability is a must.

The TG-320 dares where many compacts fear to tread - it’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof, certified to withstand immersion up to 3 meters deep and shocks from up to 1.5 meters. This makes it ideal for snorkeling trips, beach days, or mountain hikes in wet weather.

The SZ-11, being a traditional superzoom compact, offers no weather sealing or ruggedness. It’s more of a sheltered studio or travel camera, not a hardy adventure partner.

Versatility for Various Photography Genres

How do these cameras stack up across common photography styles? Here’s my evaluation:

• Portraits: SZ-11’s longer zoom and face detection give better framing flexibility and softly blurred backgrounds at telephoto settings. Neither camera offers manual aperture control or RAW, which may frustrate serious portrayers seeking control.

• Landscape: Both capture sufficient detail for casual landscapes but fall short on dynamic range and sensor size compared to higher-end cameras. The SZ-11’s telephoto reach can isolate interesting details, but the TG-320’s ruggedness is better suited for harsh outdoor environments.

• Wildlife: SZ-11’s 20x zoom and 7fps burst are winners here, though autofocus speed trails behind dedicated wildlife bodies. TG-320’s limited zoom and slow burst make it a compromise choice.

• Sports: Neither camera is truly sports-capable, but SZ-11’s faster burst rate and autofocus tracking are decent for casual usage.

• Street: TG-320’s smaller size and discreet build make it more street-friendly - plus the waterproofing means you can shoot worry-free in all weathers.

• Macro: SZ-11 can focus down to 1cm, whereas TG-320’s minimum macro distance is 3cm - meaning better close-up capabilities for the SZ-11.

• Night/Astro: Both struggle at high ISO and have shutter limits unfavorable for astro photography. Neither supports manual exposure modes for prolonged night shots.

• Video: Both shoot HD 720p video, but the TG-320 uses MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs that provide more efficient compression and better quality compared to the SZ-11’s older Motion JPEG format. Neither has external mic inputs.

• Travel: TG-320’s lighter weight, smaller size, and rugged features make it a solid travel companion for active trips. SZ-11’s superzoom works well for sightseeing but beware of its weight and fragility.

• Professional Work: Neither camera suits professional applications due to lack of RAW support, manual controls, and robust file handling.

Battery Life and Storage: Long Haul Confidence?

Battery endurance and storage convenience can make or break an outing.

The SZ-11 uses an Olympus LI-50B battery with a CIPA rating of around 200 shots per charge. The TG-320’s smaller LI-42B battery manages about 150 shots per full charge under CIPA testing. Real-world use tends to be less generous, especially with live view and zooming.

Both cameras rely on single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, offering ample storage flexibility. USB 2.0 connections are standard but lack any modern speedy data transfers or wireless connectivity. No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi here - don’t expect instant sharing without removing your card and using an external reader.

The Lens Ecosystem: Fixed and Ready

Both cameras sport fixed lenses - no lens swapping allowed - so you get what’s on board.

SZ-11’s lens ranges wildly from 25-500mm equivalent, making it a “Swiss Army zoom knife” for reach. The tradeoff is variable aperture and potentially reduced image quality at the extremes of the focal range - typical for such superzooms.

TG-320 focuses on durability and simplicity with a 28-102mm equivalent lens, bright enough for everyday use but limiting long-range shots.

Price-to-Performance: Stretching Your Buck

The SZ-11 retails around $250 at launch, putting it in the budget superzoom compact bracket.

TG-320’s launch price isn’t clearly available, but its waterproof ruggedness and reasonable feature set place it midrange for adventure compacts.

For casual users wanting a versatile zoom camera with easy controls, SZ-11 offers good value. For those prioritizing toughness and all-weather use over zoom reach, TG-320 edges ahead.

Visualizing Image Samples and Performance Ratings

To ground this all in the real world, I gathered sample images side-by-side for your appraisal.

Olympus SZ 11 front Olympus SZ 11 screen back Olympus TG 320 front Olympus TG 320 screen back

Additionally, here’s how both cameras fare in overall performance when scored across important categories.

More granularity for photographic genres:

From these, you can see the SZ-11’s telephoto advantage and burst speed shine in wildlife and sports. TG-320’s reliability and rugged features rate higher in rugged travel and street genres.

Pros and Cons Summary

Olympus SZ-11

Pros:

• Exceptional 20x optical zoom (25-500mm equiv.)
• Faster continuous shooting speed (7 fps)
• Larger, higher resolution LCD screen (3”, 460k dots)
• Closer macro focusing (1cm)
• Compatible with basic exposure compensation features
• Effective image stabilization (sensor-shift)

Cons:

• Bulky and heavier for a compact
• No weather sealing or ruggedness
• No manual exposure modes or RAW file support
• Older video format (Motion JPEG)
• Limited autofocus sophistication

Olympus TG-320

Pros:

• Rugged, waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof body
• Compact and lightweight for greater portability
• Efficient video codecs (MPEG-4, H.264)
• Simple user interface with pet auto shutter
• Effective sensor-shift stabilization

Cons:

• Short zoom range (28-102mm equiv.) limits reach
• Sluggish continuous shooting (1 fps)
• Lower-resolution LCD screen (2.7”, 230k dots)
• No autofocus during live view
• Limited manual controls and no RAW output
• Slightly lower battery life

Who Should Choose Which?

If you’re a hobbyist with an eye for versatility and zoom power - maybe a budding wildlife shooter on a shoestring budget or a casual vacation snapper who loves the occasional telephoto birdshot - the SZ-11 is your best bet. Its reach and shooting speed make up for its bulk and lack of ruggedness.

Conversely, if your lifestyle demands a camera that won’t quit under harsh conditions - snorkeling, winter hikes, beach time - or you prioritize portability above all, then the TG-320 is the better companion to slip in your pocket. It won’t get you close to distant wildlife, but it will keep shooting when a standard compact would fail.

In Conclusion: My Honest Take

Having spent hours side-by-side with these two, it’s clear Olympus designed them to serve very different camps. Neither is a jack-of-all-trades, but each excels where its design focus lies.

The SZ-11 is a superzoom soldier - offering raw reach and decent burst speed for those who want to engage in zoom-based photography without breaking the bank or hauling a DSLR setup.

The TG-320 is a rugged minimalist - perfect for those who need a durable, simple shooter that can go anywhere with less worry about the elements.

Neither supports RAW, manual modes, or advanced video features, so don’t expect to find pro-level control here - they’re best as point-and-shoot, casual companions rather than professional workhorses.

If you want a compact camera with a splash of adaptability and fun zoom options and don’t mind the extra size, go SZ-11. If you’re more about rugged reliability and a slim package that won’t shy away from water or drops, pick the TG-320.

Whichever way you lean, these two offer solid value for specific needs and budgets, with Olympus’ reputable image processing and familiar TruePic III+ engine delivering consistent, if modest, image quality.

Happy shooting - and remember, no gadget can replace good light and a keen eye!

Thanks for reading my comparison. If you want to dive deeper into specific use cases or have questions about accessories and lenses, feel free to ask - I’ve tested thousands of cameras and am always happy to share insights.