Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic FX700: An In-Depth Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a camera is never just about specs on paper - it’s a nuanced decision shaped by your photography style, shooting conditions, and feature priorities. Today, I’m diving deep into two compact cameras released in 2010 that appeal to different niches yet share some overlapping traits: the Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700. After spending serious hands-on time with both, I’ll dissect their performance, image quality, and usability across a range of photography genres while giving you practical takeaways.

Let’s start with a clear picture of their physical forms.

A Look and Feel: Handling the Olympus Tough-3000 vs Panasonic FX700

Both cameras fall solidly into the compact category but come from very different operational philosophies.

The Olympus Tough-3000 is the archetype of rugged waterproof design - its rubberized, chunky body feels reassuringly brute-force ready. At 96x65x23 mm and a featherweight 159 grams, it’s meant to withstand shocks, freezing temps, and water submersion without a fuss. I find its fixed lens and simplified control scheme invite point-and-shoot simplicity - no fiddling under wet or dirty conditions, just press and capture.

Contrast that with the Panasonic FX700, which is a sleeker, more traditional compact with dimensions roughly 104x56x25 mm and weighing 176 grams. It feels noticeably slimmer in hand and benefits from a more polished finish that’s less about survival and more about style and control. The 3-inch touchscreen LCD and physical button layout appeal to users who want more hands-on tweaking and manual overrides.

If ergonomics and size balance are your priority - especially under challenging environmental conditions - the Tough-3000 wins hands down. On the other hand, the FX700 caters better to those who want creative flexibility and a modern interface.

For further inspection of the top control layout, here’s a side by side view:

The FX700’s dedicated dials for aperture and shutter priority modes are a boon for enthusiasts craving granular exposure control. The Tough-3000 leaves those choices completely off the table.

Under the Hood: Sensor Tech and Image Quality Fundamentals

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor sized at roughly 6.08 x 4.56 mm - a common compact camera format with its expected tradeoffs in low-light performance and dynamic range. But the devil’s in the details.

Olympus Tough-3000:

• 12MP CCD sensor
• Max native ISO 1600
• TruePic III processing engine
• Anti-alias filter applied

Panasonic FX700:

• 14MP CMOS sensor
• Max native ISO 6400
• Venus Engine FHD processor
• Anti-alias filter applied

This sensor and processing combination makes the FX700 the clear winner in resolution and ISO handling - its 14MP sensor delivers slightly more detail, and the CMOS sensor coupled with a stronger processor is designed to reduce noise at higher ISOs more effectively. Meaning, if you plan to shoot in dim indoor lighting or night scenes, the FX700’s images will retain cleaner shadow detail.

The Tough-3000’s CCD sensor, while lesser in peak ISO, has a reputation for delivering nicely rendered colors in good light. Its TruePic III engine provides decent color accuracy but you’ll notice more noise creeping upwards of ISO 800.

Neither supports RAW capture - a limitation for professionals and post-processing enthusiasts - so expect to get your desired look mostly in-camera via JPEG parameters.

The Screen Experience: Which LCD Wins the User Interface Battle?

When framing and navigating menus, display quality is crucial.

The Tough-3000 sports a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a modest 230K resolution. It’s functional but doesn’t offer rich detail or vibrant colors, and the non-touch interface feels dated. Outdoor visibility is decent thanks to brightness settings but its fixed angle means less flexibility when shooting awkward angles.

In contrast, the FX700 flaunts a larger 3-inch touchscreen, also 230K resolution, but more responsive and friendly for quick setting adjustments. The touchscreen allows faster navigation through functions like aperture priority, ISO, and white balance - a nice plus for when you want to fine-tune on the fly.

From my testing, the FX700's screen makes composing shots and reviewing images a more pleasant experience overall - especially when paired with focus peaking features during manual focus.

Shooting Performance: Speed, Autofocus, and Burst Rates

Performance-wise, these cameras reveal their core design intentions.

• Olympus Tough-3000: Focuses on robustness and simplicity, featuring a single shot continuous shooting capability (1 fps). Autofocus is contrast-detection based, limited to single-point and center-weighted metering without face or tracking modes. Given the minimal 28-102mm zoom and max f3.5-5.1 aperture, it’s tailored for casual snapshots rather than high-speed action.

• Panasonic FX700: Sports a more capable autofocus system (contrast detection) with manual focus options and multi-area AF support. Burst shooting reaches up to an impressive 10 fps - excellent for capturing fleeting moments in sports or wildlife snapshots. It offers shutter and aperture priority modes, manual exposure, and exposure compensation - missing from the Tough-3000 - which gives you precise creative control over how your subject is captured.

So, for street or action photographers needing rapid, accurate focus and frame rates, the FX700 is the obvious choice. The Tough-3000’s AF system is a bit slow and hunting in low-light, something I frequently encountered while testing in shaded environments.

Optical Characteristics: Lens Comparison and Macro Capabilities

Let’s dive into the optics, the heart of image rendition.

• Olympus Tough-3000: 28-102mm equivalent zoom (3.6x) with fixed aperture of f3.5-5.1. The wide end is decent for environmental snapshots, though not especially fast for low light. It shines in macro with a close focusing distance of 2cm, allowing really tight close-ups - great for nature macro and detailed textured shots.

• Panasonic FX700: Wider zoom range at 24-120mm equivalent (5x) and a brighter lens opening starting at f2.2, narrowing to f5.9. The wider angle at 24mm is excellent for landscapes or architecture, and the brighter aperture helps with added background separation and faster shutter speeds. Macro focus starts at 3cm, still competitive but slightly less close than Olympus.

One issue I found with the Tough-3000 lens is some softness at the tele end, while the FX700 holds better sharpness across the zoom range. The FX700 also gives you manual focus to nail those critical details versus the Tough-3000’s fixed AF.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Built to Last or Built for Beauty?

Here is where the cameras’ identities truly separate:

• Olympus Tough-3000: Fully waterproof (up to 10m depth), shockproof from 1.5 meter drops, freezeproof to -10°C - all solid features for adventure sports, underwater snorkeling, or trekking in wet or cold climates. This ruggedness is unmatched by the FX700.

• Panasonic FX700: No weather sealing or mechanical shock resistance - this is a camera for controlled environments. You’ll want to avoid moisture and drops here.

If you’re an outdoor adventure photographer or someone who wants a camera that just keeps on ticking through harsh treatment, the Tough-3000 is unbeatable.

Genre-Based Performance and Usability

Let me break down how both cameras perform across popular photography styles:

Portraits

• Olympus Tough-3000: Limited aperture range and lack of face detection mean less control over subject separation and focus precision. Bokeh is minimal due to smaller sensor and slower aperture.

• Panasonic FX700: Aperture priority and manual focus allow better subject isolation. Slightly brighter lens helps with background blur, but you’re still confined by sensor size. Lack of eye-detection AF is a downside.

If portraits with artistic background separation matter, FX700 is preferable.

Landscapes

• FX700’s wider 24mm equivalent and higher resolution make it better suited for vast scenic shots. Its lack of weather sealing reduces reliability in tough environments, however.

• Tough-3000’s ruggedness excels here if shooting conditions are harsh, but smaller sensor and lens limit ultimate sharpness and dynamic range.

Wildlife

• The FX700’s 10 fps burst and manual focus help in quick wildlife shooting. The Tough-3000’s slower 1 fps burst and less responsive AF make it less ideal.

• Both are limited by modest zoom reach; neither replaces a dedicated super tele lens setup.

Sports

• Advanced focus modes and burst rate on FX700 make it better for amateur sports shooting.

• Tough-3000 likely to miss fast action shots due to sluggish response.

Street Photography

• Tough-3000’s ruggedness and weatherproofing is a bonus for unpredictable street shooting.

• FX700’s discreet size, fast lens, and touchscreen facilitate quick candid snaps and manual exposure tweaks.

Choose based on whether you prioritize durability or control.

Macro

• Tough-3000 shines with 2cm macro focusing distance.

• FX700 is close behind but with more manual control.

Night/Astro

• FX700’s higher max ISO and CMOS sensor take the crown for low-light shots.

• Tough-3000’s max ISO 1600 and CCD restrict usage here.

Video

• Tough-3000 shoots HD 720p at 30fps in MPEG-4 format.

• FX700 upgrades to Full HD 1080p at 60fps and AVCHD codec - clearly better for video enthusiasts.

Both lack external mic inputs but HDMI output is present.

Travel Photography

• Tough-3000’s lightweight, ruggedness makes it a reliable travel companion.

• FX700’s extra zoom range, better image quality, and touchscreen add creative options.

Battery life specifics are unclear for both, which is a common gripe with compacts from this era.

Professional Work

• Neither supports RAW nor advanced tethering/workflow features.

• Both suit casual or enthusiast use. FX700’s manual modes offer modest professional flexibility.

Build Quality, Storage, and Connectivity

The Tough-3000 supports SD/SDHC plus internal storage, offers sensor-shift stabilization, a modest flash range (4m), and USB 2.0 plus HDMI output. No wireless features here.

The FX700 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, has optical stabilization, longer flash range (7.4m), and similar connectivity but no wireless functions either.

Neither offers GPS or Bluetooth, underscoring their age.

Judging Their Value: Price and Practical Considerations

The Tough-3000 has dropped in price considerably thanks to its age and niche appeal, often found extremely affordable or second-hand. The FX700’s launch price was around $399, reflecting its more advanced features, though current market prices vary.

If you want sheer durability for hiking, snorkeling, or rough environments at a bargain, the Tough-3000 is your no-brainer.

If you want a more versatile compact with manual controls, better image quality, and HD video for casual photography, the FX700 justifies its midrange price.

Sample Shots and Image Quality in Practice

No review is complete without seeing image quality firsthand:

Olympus Tough 3000 front Olympus Tough 3000 screen back Panasonic FX700 front Panasonic FX700 screen back

Examining these side by side, you’ll notice:

• FX700 images feature richer details, sharper edges, and better low-light performance.

• Tough-3000 images look softer but retain pleasing colors and strong macro detail.

Summing Up: Performance Scores and Genre Rankings

Here’s a quick overview of overall and specialized scores I derived from my hands-on testing.

You’ll see FX700 generally leads in image quality, video, and creative control, while Tough-3000 scores highest for durability and macro.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Compact for You

• Pick the Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 if you lead an active lifestyle, need a camera impervious to the elements and accidental drops, prioritize portability, and shoot mostly in fair lighting without manual adjustments.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix FX700 if you want a compact with sizeable zoom, manual exposure modes, HD video recording, and better image quality for a broad range of shooting scenarios - from street to portraits and even some wildlife and sports, provided you don’t need weatherproof ruggedness.

These cameras reflect different philosophies: Olympus bets on rugged simplicity; Panasonic aims for smart flexibility.

Some Closing Personal Insight

After testing both extensively, I appreciate the Tough-3000’s resilience and straightforward user experience - it’s a perfect grab-and-go travel buddy for outdoor enthusiasts. That sensor and lens combination mean you sacrifice some photographic finesse but gain peace of mind in tough conditions.

Meanwhile, the FX700 is a well-rounded compact for the enthusiast photographer who wants creative freedom, greater image sharpness, and smooth HD videos. Its lack of weather sealing makes you a bit more cautious, but if you mostly shoot indoors, on city streets, or in controlled environments, it’s a fine and fun tool.

Perhaps most importantly, both cameras cater well to their targeted user bases while delivering unique benefits. The choice is what matches your shooting needs, style, and environment best.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you zero in on the right camera for your next photographic adventures. For more live sample tests and to see control layouts in action, check out my accompanying video reviews. Happy shooting!