Olympus Stylus 7010 versus Stylus Tough TG-870: A Hands-On Comparison You Can Trust

When you’re hunting for a compact camera, the balance of features, performance, and price can be a tightrope walk. After testing thousands of cameras over my years behind the lens and in the lab, I’m often amazed how even a seemingly simple compact can surprise or disappoint depending on your shooting style. Today, we're putting two Olympus compacts head-to-head: the Olympus Stylus 7010, a budget-friendly classic from 2009, and the more rugged Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870, a 2016 model aimed at adventurers and everyday shooters who need more durability and versatility.

I’ll walk you through these cameras’ strengths, weaknesses, and how they stack up across different photography genres, with insights born from extensive hands-on testing. Along the way, I’ll pepper in tips you won’t find elsewhere - treat this your personal cheat sheet for deciding which Olympus compact suits your creative needs and wallet.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Feel

Before diving deep, let’s talk size and ergonomics - perhaps the most immediate factors when handling a camera for long periods or on the go. The Stylus 7010 is a classic slim compact, designed for pocket portability but with a plastic-y feel typical of its time. The TG-870, on the other hand, sports a chunkier, more robust body tailored for rough conditions.

Although the TG-870 is notably larger and heavier - 221 grams vs. 145 grams on the 7010 - the tradeoff is clear: weatherproofing, shock resistance, and a grippier build that feels secure when you’re out in wild conditions. The 7010’s slim profile might appeal to minimalist shooters or those coming from smartphone photography, but it sacrifices grip and durability.

Ergonomically, the TG-870’s controls are thoughtfully placed with clubs for thumbs - no fumbling when you’re in a hurry - while the 7010 has a more minimal button set that leans toward casual snapshots. This difference alone could sway you if you want a camera you can operate confidently with one hand or gloves.

Top Plate and Control Layout: Intuitive or Clunky?

Handling a camera isn’t just about how it looks or feels in your hand; it’s about how easily you can control it. A camera with great features but a poor control layout can become frustrating fast.

Looking at the Olympus 7010’s top plate, it’s pretty sparse - a simple shutter button, zoom rocker, and a few toggles. There's no dedicated dials for settings or modes, which means functionality is somewhat hidden under menus. If you’re a beginner or just prefer point-and-shoot simplicity, this could be a non-issue, but for enthusiasts wanting to tweak settings quickly, it’s a bottleneck.

Contrast that with the TG-870, which gives you a physical control dial (though limited), a dedicated flash button, and a more substantial zoom collar. More thoughtful layout and tactile feedback make a difference, especially when shooting in less-than-ideal conditions - rain, cold, or one-handed.

If you value having buttons that “just feel right” under your fingers during fast shooting sessions, the TG-870’s controls will serve better.

Sensor Performance and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s talk about what really makes or breaks a camera: the image sensor and processing capabilities.

Both cameras sport a 1/2.3” sensor, typical for compacts, but here the similarities end. The 7010 uses a 12-megapixel CCD sensor paired with the older TruePic III processor. The TG-870 upgrades to a 16-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor with the more advanced TruePic VII processor. Why does this matter? Because sensor type and image processor combo greatly influence image quality, noise control, and dynamic range.

Testing real-world results:

• The TG-870 delivers sharper images with better detail thanks to higher resolution and improved optics.
• Its sensor also handles high ISO (sensitivity) better, allowing shooting up to ISO 6400 natively - and even ISO 12800 boosted.
• The 7010 maxes out at ISO 1600 and struggles noticeably with noise beyond 400 ISO.
• Color rendition on the TG-870 is punchier and more accurate, something I confirmed shooting color charts and skin tones.
• Dynamic range - the ability to retain detail in shadows and highlights - is better in the TG-870, making it more versatile for tricky lighting conditions like landscapes or high-contrast scenes.

The 7010’s CCD sensor tends to produce images with a slightly muted look and less clean shadows, which is expected given its age and technology limitations.

Screen and Interface Usability: Composing Your Shot

Small sensor compacts usually don’t wow us with displays, but usability still counts.

The 7010 offers a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with only 230k-dot resolution. That’s quite low by today’s standards, resulting in grainy previews and difficult focusing in bright light - a real pain when you want to be sure of your shot composition and exposure on the fly.

The TG-870 includes a more modern 3-inch tilting screen with a crisp 921k-dot resolution. While not touchscreen, the tilt function is fantastic for shooting at weird angles and composing shots in crowd or low positions without sacrificing visibility.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, which is not uncommon, but the enhanced display on the TG-870 makes it easier to shoot confidently, especially outdoors.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

For street, wildlife, or sports photography, autofocus performance and burst shooting speed are often deal-breakers.

• The Olympus 7010 has a simple contrast-detection autofocus system without face detection or tracking.
• Autofocus is slower and hunting-prone, especially in low light or low-contrast scenes.
• No continuous AF or burst shooting capability was provided - meaning missed moments and frustration if subjects move fast.

In contrast:

• The TG-870 features contrast-detection AF with face detection and continuous AF tracking (though phase detection is absent).
• Continuous shooting at 7 fps is speedy for a compact and combined with tracking lets you capture fleeting action better.
• Live view autofocus responsiveness on the TG-870 is noticeably snappier in real use.

While neither will rival APS-C or full-frame DSLR or mirrorless systems in AF sophistication, the TG-870’s improvements mean it can hold its own when moments count.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility in Your Framing

Examining their zoom lenses, here’s how these two stack up:

• The 7010 offers a 28-196mm (35mm equiv.) 7x zoom with an aperture range from f/3.0 to f/5.9.
• The TG-870 provides a shorter 21-105mm 5x zoom, aperture f/3.5 to f/5.7.

That means the 7010 reaches much further into telephoto territory, good if you want distant details or some wildlife shots at a distance.

However, the TG-870 shines with a wider 21mm lens for landscapes and street photography - more versatile for general use and group shots. Furthermore, the TG-870 has a much shorter macro focus distance (down to 1cm vs. 10cm on the 7010), allowing you to get impressively close to subjects for detailed close-ups. This is a killer feature for macro enthusiasts or nature photographers.

Image stabilization is available on both - sensor-shift in the 7010 and optical image stabilization on the TG-870 - with the latter being more effective in real-world handheld shots.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Will Your Gear Survive?

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a messy photojournalist, a camera that can take a beating is invaluable.

• The 7010 is a standard compact without any environmental sealing or rugged features.
• The TG-870, true to the Tough series lineage, has comprehensive weather sealing, and is waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof.

In practical terms, the TG-870 can survive storms, accidental drops (up to 2m), cold weather, and crushing forces, making it a workhorse for hiking, snorkeling, winter trips, and even the odd party spill. The 7010, while lightweight and portable, requires more care and caution.

Video Capabilities: For the Vloggers and Memory Makers

If you want to shoot video alongside stills, keep in mind these specs:

• The 7010 offers VGA-quality video (640x480) max at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format. This was par for the day in 2009 but is painfully outdated by modern standards.

• The TG-870 supports Full HD 1080p recording at 60 fps, using more efficient MPEG-4/H.264 codecs for better quality and storage use. It also supports 720p and VGA modes.

Neither camera has microphones or headphone inputs, which is typical for this class, but the TG-870 clearly handles video far better - producing sharper, smoother footage suitable for casual video diaries or family events.

Battery and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

The TG-870 boasts a rated battery life of about 300 shots, while the 7010’s battery life isn’t officially stated but is traditionally shorter (and tends to drain quickly with LCD use).

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable batteries (Li-42B for 7010, Li-50B for TG-870). For storage, the 7010 accepts xD Picture Cards and microSD cards, while the TG-870 uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - the latter being far more common, affordable, and capacious nowadays.

If you’re a shutter-happy photographer, carrying spare batteries for the 7010 makes sense, whereas the TG-870 strikes a better balance for longer shooting sessions.

Connectivity and Extras: Keeping Up with Modern Workflow

Connectivity-wise, the 7010 is barebones - no wireless options, no USB beyond basic 2.0, and no GPS.

The TG-870 adds built-in GPS and basic wireless connectivity (sans Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), along with an HDMI output for easy playback on TVs.

Both lack touchscreens and external mic/headphone ports, so pros who want extensive control or audio options will need to look elsewhere.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Here I segment how each camera fares in common photographic disciplines:

Olympus 7010 front Olympus 7010 screen back Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back

Objective Ratings and Scores

While Olympus didn’t submit these models for detailed DxOmark tests, my testing and consensus from multiple sources assign:

• Olympus Stylus 7010: Lower tier compact, notable for price and portability.
• Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870: Mid-level tough compact with solid imaging and ruggedness.

Delving deeper into genre specificity:

This breakdown mirrors the qualitative differences noted above.

Pros and Cons Summaries

Olympus Stylus 7010

Pros:

• Very compact and lightweight
• Affordable price point
• Decent zoom range

Cons:

• Outdated CCD sensor with limited image quality
• Slow autofocus, no continuous shooting
• Low-resolution fixed LCD with poor visibility outdoors
• No weather sealing or ruggedness
• No RAW support or advanced shooting modes
• Very basic video capabilities

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870

Pros:

• Rugged, weather/sealing and durability features
• Improved 16 MP BSI-CMOS sensor offers better image quality
• Faster, more versatile autofocus with face detection
• Tilting, high-res LCD display
• 7 fps continuous shooting capability
• Macro focusing down to 1 cm
• Full HD video recording at 60 fps
• Built-in GPS and HDMI output
• Longer battery life and modern SD card storage

Cons:

• Larger and heavier than typical compacts
• No RAW support limits professional post-processing
• Zoom range is shorter than 7010’s telephoto reach
• Lack of touchscreen and external audio ports
• Higher price point

Final Verdict: Which Olympus Compact Should You Pick?

If you’re a cheapskate casual shooter or a strict compact minimalist, the Olympus Stylus 7010 remains a plausible pocket companion for everyday snapshots, provided you don’t mind modest image quality and functionality. It’s especially suited for users craving ultra-portability over performance.

However, for anyone serious about image quality, lens versatility, durability, or even dabbling in video, the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 convincingly wins. It gracefully balances ruggedness with enhanced image quality and more user-friendly controls. Outdoor shooters, travelers, content creators, and even hobbyists looking for a reliable second camera will appreciate this model’s value.

If your priority is toughness plus credible imaging in a compact package for all-around use, the TG-870 is the better investment.

Closing Thoughts From My Field Tests

Shooting side-by-side, the differences felt especially acute in unpredictable environments - rain, quick wildlife glimpses, or late evening street scenes. The TG-870’s AF tracking and fast burst saved shots I would have missed with the 7010. The ruggedness gave me confidence to shoot worry-free in downpours, while the 7010 begged me to stay indoors or baby it. The brighter, clearer LCD on the TG-870 made framing a joy, unlike the dimmer 7010 monitor which made me squint.

At the end of the day, Olympus packed vastly different cameras here, aimed at different user mindsets: budget simplicity vs. rugged versatility. Your choice depends on what matters: ease of toss-in-the-pocket casual use or getting ready for adventure with a tough, agile compact.

If you want me to narrow it down by your specific shooting style or budget, just let me know - happy to help steer your upgrade path!