Olympus 5010 vs Olympus TG-820 iHS: An Expert Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing the right compact camera in today’s crowded market is a challenge that requires more than just looking at the megapixel count or zoom range on a spec sheet. Having spent over 15 years in the trenches testing hundreds of cameras - from rugged compacts to pro-level mirrorless bodies - I’ve learned that understanding how cameras perform in real-world scenarios across genres is critical. Today, we're diving deep into a side-by-side analysis of two Olympus models from different eras and categories: the Olympus Stylus 5010 (often known as the mju 5010) and the Olympus TG-820 iHS, a rugged waterproof compact. Both share Olympus heritage but cater to very different photographic needs and priorities.

In this detailed 2500-word guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know - from sensor technology and autofocus precision to ergonomics, lens characteristics, and their suitability across varied photography styles, including portrait, wildlife, and night shooting.

Let’s start by laying out their physical differences.

Handling and Ergonomics: Size, Weight, and Controls

Any camera’s physical feel and usability weave directly into how enjoyable it is to shoot with. The Olympus 5010 and TG-820 iHS sit on different ends of the compact spectrum physically and operationally.

The Olympus 5010 is an ultra-compact, pocket-friendly camera with a slender profile measuring just 95 x 56 x 20 mm and weighing a mere 126 grams. Its diminutive size harkens back to the classic “point-and-shoot” ethos. The trade-off here is grip comfort - those with larger hands or who prefer longer shooting sessions might find the 5010 a bit fiddly, especially in bright conditions where quick handling matters.

In contrast, the TG-820 iHS is bulkier and more substantial, at 101 x 65 x 26 mm and 206 grams. While still compact enough for a jacket pocket, its ruggedized build affords a more generous grip and tactile button layout. It’s designed for adventure and active use, with ergonomics tailored to withstand tougher conditions without sacrificing one-handed usability. The added weight and size contribute to steadier handheld shooting, especially with longer telephoto reach.

Looking from above shows us the control layouts and design philosophies in play.

The 5010’s top control set is minimalist - a power button, zoom toggle, and shutter release dominate. There are no dedicated mode dials or exposure compensation buttons, reflecting its auto-oriented use case. The TG-820 iHS offers more tactile input surface area, with dedicated zoom and shooting buttons on the top and rear. The latter has an intuitive button mapping that is easier to use blindly - practical when outdoors or in gloves.

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder, leaning exclusively on their LCD screens for composition.

Here the difference becomes even more evident. The 5010’s 2.7-inch screen offers a modest 230,000-dot resolution - barely adequate for checking critical focus or reviewing images in the wild. This can make manual focusing or verifying fine detail difficult unless you scrutinize closely. The TG-820 iHS ups the ante with a 3-inch HyperCrystal III TFT screen boasting 1,030,000 dots. The display is brighter, higher resolution, and better visible in sunlight. These improvements significantly aid framing, menu navigation, and reviewing shots in challenging lighting.

Verdict on Ergonomics:

For everyday casual photography or urban walkabouts, the 5010’s tiny footprint is appealing. Yet, for anyone seeking a more robust physical experience with better control feedback, especially in outdoor settings, the TG-820’s design excels. The larger, sharper screen on the TG-820 adds decisive value.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

No matter how nifty a camera’s functions are, at the end of the day, the sensor and image processing define output quality. Olympus took two markedly different approaches in these cameras.

Both cameras employ the standard 1/2.3-inch sensor size found in many compact cameras, with surface areas roughly 28 mm². However, the Olympus 5010 is equipped with a 14-megapixel CCD sensor, while the TG-820 iHS has a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor. This difference might seem trivial, but it hints at important ramifications.

CCD vs CMOS: CCD sensors traditionally offer excellent color reproduction and clean images at base ISO but can struggle with power efficiency and high ISO performance. CMOS sensors, especially from the early 2010s onward, have evolved swiftly, improving noise handling, dynamic range, and integration with faster electronics.

Image Resolution: The 5010’s higher pixel count delivers larger image dimensions (4288 x 3216 pixels) compared to the TG-820’s 3968 x 2976 pixels, technically affording more cropping flexibility. But megapixels on their own don’t tell the full story.

ISO Sensitivity: The 5010 maxes out at ISO 3200 but really shines only at base ISO 64 or 100, as noise at higher ISOs quickly degrades image usability. The TG-820 allows ISO up to 6400, due to its CMOS sensor and modern TruePic VI processor, providing improved low-light performance and less aggressive noise suppression artifacts.

Color & Dynamic Range: Both cameras employ Olympus’s TruePic image processors (III for 5010, VI for TG-820). The TG-820’s processor generation is advanced enough to deliver superior color depth and dynamic range rendering in typical shooting conditions. For landscapes or scenes with high dynamic range contrast, the TG-820 handles highlights and shadows more gracefully, though neither camera offers RAW support, limiting post-processing latitude.

Real-World Image Quality Impressions

Testing in daylight reveals the 5010's crisp and punchy JPEGs with pleasing color but a tendency to struggle in scenes with mixed bright and shadowed areas. The TG-820 yields cleaner images with marginally better shadow detail and less highlight clipping. Indoors or at dusk, the TG-820 maintains better detail retention and less luminance noise at ISO 800 or 1600 - an important factor for those shooting in variable lighting.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Burst Rates

For action photography or spontaneous street moments, autofocus (AF) reliability and shooting speed are paramount. How do our Olympian contenders stack up?

The Olympus 5010 uses contrast-detection autofocus with a fairly rudimentary AF system. It allows single AF with tracking, but the lack of face detection or phase-detection pixels means lock-on can be slow and prone to hunting in dim or complex lighting. Continuous shooting is extremely limited at 1 fps, meaning burst sequences are impractical.

The TG-820 iHS benefits from significant advances: it supports face detection, natural for portrait work, and also uses contrast-detection AF. However, the improved processor allows a faster AF lock and maintains subject tracking reasonably well. Burst shooting runs at a more vigorous 5 fps, a vital difference for capturing fleeting wildlife moments or sports action.

Neither camera offers manual focus, aperture, or shutter priority modes, limiting creative exposure control to novice or enthusiast users.

Eye Detection and AF Points:

Only the TG-820 features face detection, which helps nail skin tone focus in portraits - a big plus for casual portrait shooters or traveling families. Neither affords sophisticated eye- or animal-eye AF that you might find on more recent mirrorless models, but the TG-820’s algorithm gives it a relative edge.

Lens Characteristics: Versatility and Close-Up Capabilities

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses with respectable optical ranges designed to appeal to general users. Comparing:

• Olympus 5010: 26-130mm (35mm equivalent), F2.8-6.5 aperture
• Olympus TG-820 iHS: 28-140mm, F3.9-5.9 aperture

While the 5010 offers a brighter lens at its shortest focal length (F2.8 vs F3.9), the TG-820 still manages respectable image brightness across the zoom range, with slightly longer telephoto reach.

Macro and Close Focusing

The Olympus 5010 focuses as close as 7 cm, removing some versatility for tight macro-style shots. The TG-820 excels here with a much tighter minimum focus distance of 1 cm - ideal for details like flowers, textures, or insect photography with impressive close-up magnification.

This difference reflects their target uses: the 5010 is a casual compact aiming for everyday use, while the TG-820’s waterproof and shockproof design pushes it toward adventurous close-focus shooting.

Durability and Environmental Sealing

A major area where these cameras diverge strongly is in ruggedness.

The 5010 is a classic ultra-compact, with no sealing against dust, moisture, or physical shocks. It must be handled with care, making it better suited for controlled environments or casual urban strolls.

The TG-820 iHS, however, stands in a class of its own as a truly rugged waterproof camera. Certified waterproof to 10 meters, shockproof from 2.1 meters, freezeproof to –10°C, crushproof to 100 kgf, and dustproof, it is practically engineered for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and travelers who want to carry one camera everywhere without worry.

This level of build allows shooting in rain, snow, and dusty environments without additional protective accessories - a compelling factor that isn’t just marketing fluff but verified through extensive field testing.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s tackle how each camera performs across typical photographic scenarios:

Portrait Photography

Skin tones and bokeh:
The 5010’s wider maximum aperture at 26mm F2.8 helps with creating some subject-background separation in close shots. However, the small sensor size limits depth of field control and natural bokeh quality. The TG-820’s narrower apertures mildly restrict background blur but compensate with face detection autofocus improving sharpness on eyes in portraits.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution matter here. The TG-820’s CMOS sensor and TruePic VI processor deliver richer tonal gradations and better highlight retention, crucial under bright skies. The improved LCD also aids in reviewing composition on location. Both offer wide-angle coverage though the 5010 has a slight edge with 26mm over 28mm. Neither offers weather sealing except the TG-820, which is a significant advantage for fieldwork.

Wildlife Photography

Burst rates and autofocus tracking govern success here. The TG-820’s 5 fps burst and face detection autofocus edge out the 5010’s lone frame per second. The extended telephoto reach on the TG-820 (140mm vs 130mm) also helps fill the frame with distant subjects. The 5010’s slower autofocus and buffer limit its ability to capture fast-moving animals.

Sports Photography

Fast, accurate subject tracking and higher frame rates enable capturing peak action. The TG-820’s 5fps burst rate and improved AF deliver more satisfying results than the 5010’s slower single-frame shooter, which can easily miss decisive moments. Neither camera supports manual exposure control, so performance in variable lighting depends heavily on internal metering.

Street Photography

The ultra-compact 5010’s size makes discreet shooting easier - a vital advantage for candid street shots. Its lighter weight and lower visual footprint help blend in urban settings. Conversely, the TG-820’s rugged build and brighter screen may be overkill and more conspicuous, but if you’re exploring streets under variable weather, it offers durability.

Macro Photography

No contest here. The TG-820’s near-microscopic 1cm minimum focusing distance and relatively close-to-medium zoom make macro photography highly accessible. The 5010’s 7cm close focus is less flexible for actual extreme close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras’ small sensors struggle with noise at high ISOs, but the TG-820’s CMOS sensor and higher max ISO (6400) provide more usable images after dusk than the 5010. Neither offers long exposures beyond 4 seconds or bulb mode, limiting astrophotography potential. For casual nighttime shots, the TG-820 has the upper hand.

Video Capabilities

The 5010 records up to 1280 x 720p at 30 fps, outputting Motion JPEG files - an older and more storage-heavy format limiting video quality. The TG-820 supports full 1080p HD video also at 30fps with H.264 encoding for better compression and quality.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks for audio monitoring, so video production is basic. The TG-820's improved image stabilization aids smoother footage.

Travel Photography

Here the TG-820 pulls clearly ahead with versatility, ruggedness, and better general usability outdoors. It balances decent telephoto zoom, macro capacity, strong weather sealing, brighter screen, and decent battery life (220 shots vs undocumented 5010). However, those wanting an ultra-lightweight, pocketable option might still prefer the 5010 for urban or everyday casual use.

Technical Insights: Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Both cameras share the same proprietary Li-50B battery model, reflecting Olympus’s ecosystem consistency. The TG-820 officially offers around 220 shots per charge, which is reasonable but not outstanding for extensive day shooting. The 5010’s battery life isn’t specified but should be comparable given similar sensor and processor power demands.

Storage-wise, the 5010 uses SC/SDHC cards while the TG-820 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, the latter enabling higher-capacity cards, a consideration if shooting long video clips or many images.

Neither camera sports wireless connectivity (no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC), which is unsurprising given their release dates but limits instant image sharing.

Both feature USB 2.0 for data transfer and HDMI output for viewing photos and videos on TVs, standard but now basic.

Build Quality and Overall Reliability

While the 5010’s slim metal body feels decent for its class, the build approaches typical budget compacts - lightweight with limited durability. The TG-820 iHS’s polycarbonate reinforced chassis with environmental sealing is reported robust in our field tests, surviving rain, sand, drops, and cold.

Given the TG-820’s adventure-focused engineering, Olympus clearly intended it to serve as a daily driver for outdoor photographers without a protective case.

Value Analysis: What You Get For The Price

At launch, the Olympus 5010 was priced around $150, targeting casual users wanting a simple no-fuss shooter. Its strengths lie in ease of use, small size, and reasonable image quality for daylight snaps. Today it often sells used or discounted.

The Olympus TG-820 iHS retailed near $500, reflecting a premium niche as a rugged compact packed with features. Its broader functionality, waterproofing, better image quality, and advanced AF system justify the price jump.

For the right buyer, the TG-820 delivers strong bang-for-buck in the rugged camera segment, while the 5010 offers value as an everyday ultra-compact.

Overall Performance and Genre Scores

Let’s distill our exhaustive analysis into performance ratings to help clarify strengths.

Best Camera For Every Photography Discipline

To round out this extensive comparison, let’s consider which camera is best suited for specific genres.

• Portraits: TG-820 for autofocus accuracy and skin tone reproduction
• Landscapes: TG-820 for dynamic range and sealing
• Wildlife: TG-820 for faster burst and telephoto reach
• Sports: TG-820 for burst speed and tracking
• Street: 5010 for pocketable discretion
• Macro: TG-820 for close focusing precision
• Night/Astro: TG-820 for better high ISO
• Video: TG-820 for full HD and stabilization
• Travel: TG-820 for rugged versatility, 5010 if ultra-compact priority
• Professional Work: Neither is ideal (limited manual control and RAW), but TG-820 fares better for reliability

Final Thoughts: Choosing Between The Olympus 5010 and TG-820 iHS

Both cameras reflect Olympus’s commitment to compact design, but clearly target very different audiences. The Olympus Stylus 5010 is a simple, pocket-sized point-and-shoot tailored to casual photography in well-controlled environments. Its slim profile and user-friendly simplicity make it an attractive choice for those wanting minimal fuss, lightweight gear, and decent image quality for snapshots or travel souvenir shots.

The Olympus TG-820 iHS appeals to photographers and adventurers demanding more from their compact: rugged weather sealing, strong macro capability, better AF, improved video quality, and extended creative scopes, all wrapped in a durable package. It is the better all-rounder for outdoor, travel, and even casual wildlife shooting. The trade-offs are bulkier size and a higher price tag.

If budget allows, and your photography involves unpredictable environments or subjects, the TG-820 is the standout recommendation. For occasional casual shooting in safe, dry environments where pocket-size dominates, the 5010 remains a viable choice.

Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back Olympus TG 820 iHS front Olympus TG 820 iHS screen back

Through extensive testing across disciplines, I’ve found these two Olympus models exemplify compromises between portability and ruggedness, simplicity and functionality. Both have their rightful place in the gear quiver - your choice depends on your photography priorities.

I hope this detailed comparison helps clarify the capabilities and limitations of these fascinating Olympus compacts. Remember: The best camera is the one you enjoy and use consistently - so weigh these insights with your personal shooting style and scenarios in mind before committing.

If you have specific needs or want to explore alternatives, feel free to ask! I’m always ready to help photographers make empowered gear decisions.