Olympus 6010 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus 6010 vs. Olympus TG-4: An Expert Dive into Tough-Compact Photography

When it comes to rugged, waterproof compacts, Olympus has long been a major player. Two notable entries in its Tough series - the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 (released 2009) and the Olympus Tough TG-4 (released 2015) - reflect very different eras of digital imaging technology packed into similarly rugged shells. After extensive hands-on testing across various photography scenarios, I’m guiding you through a detailed technical and practical comparison between these two cameras. Whether you want to capture adventure landscapes, macro close-ups, or just take a durable pocket camera on your travels, this head-to-head review aims to clarify which model is worth your investment.

A Matter of Size, Weight, and Handling: Ergonomics Evolution

Rugged cameras must balance durability with ease of use in challenging environments. The Olympus 6010 is noticeably petite and light, designed to fit into almost any pocket or glove compartment:

Notice the 6010’s slimmer profile compared to the bulkier TG-4 - a classic trade-off between size and feature set.

At 95 x 63 x 22 mm and weighing 179 grams, the 6010 is compact and discreet. In contrast, the TG-4 measures 112 x 66 x 31 mm and weighs 247 grams, reflecting its more robust build and added weatherproofing standards. The TG-4’s extra size also translates to a deeper grip and generally more stable one-handed operation, especially helpful when shooting underwater or with gloves.

The top view of each camera reveals their control philosophies:

The TG-4’s dedicated dial for shooting modes and buttons for exposure compensation hint at a more advanced user interface compared to the 6010’s simpler controls.

The TG-4 offers physical dials and buttons for aperture priority, continuous shooting, and quick access to white balance customization - features non-existent on the 6010. The latter relies on minimal controls and menu diving, limiting on-the-fly adjustments.

Bottom line: The 6010 targets casual shooters looking for a grab-and-go waterproof camera, while the TG-4 caters to enthusiasts and semi-pros who require more tactile controls and ergonomic refinements in rough conditions.

Image Quality and Sensor Tech: A Leap Forward in Sensor Design

Sensor technology is the backbone of image quality. Both cameras use the common 1/2.3” sensor size found in compacts and many rugged cameras. However, the details reveal a clear generational jump:

Despite identical physical sensor dimensions (6.17 x 4.55mm), the TG-4’s 16MP BSI-CMOS array outperforms the 6010’s 12MP CCD sensor on multiple key fronts.

The Olympus 6010’s CCD sensor with a 12MP resolution was standard for its time but is generally less sensitive in low light and slower in readout speeds compared to modern CMOS technology. The TG-4 upgrades to a 16MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor with improved noise handling and dynamic range.

From measured lab tests and real-world shooting, the TG-4 delivers substantially cleaner images at ISO 800-1600, retains more shadow detail, and preserves richer color fidelity thanks to newer sensor design and enhanced image processing with the TruePic VII engine. The 6010’s images become noisy and lose detail quickly beyond ISO 400. The TG-4 also supports RAW capture, allowing photographers to extract more tonal latitude during post-processing, an option missing on the 6010.

For photographers aiming to print larger landscapes or crop tightly for wildlife or macro, the TG-4’s 4608 x 3456 pixel files provide more flexibility and detail.

Display and User Interface: More Resolution for Intuitive Operation

On the back, the 6010 offers a modest 2.7” LCD with 230K-dot resolution - adequate but washed out in bright outdoor conditions. The TG-4 upgrades this to a 3” screen at 460K dots, nearly doubling the resolution and improving visibility in sunlight. This is a practical improvement when shooting in challenging environments common to rugged cameras.

Higher resolution and larger display on the TG-4 directly translates to easier framing, menu navigation, and image review.

Neither camera features a touchscreen or electronic viewfinder, but both have live view with contrast-detection autofocus. The TG-4’s interface is better optimized with dedicated buttons and dial controls to quickly switch between focus modes, exposure adjustments, and drive settings - critical when shooting fast-moving subjects or when underwater time is limited.

Autofocus Systems: From Basic to Versatile Tracking

The legacy 6010 sticks to a single autofocus mode based on contrast detection, no continuous AF, face detection, or tracking features. This means focus acquisition can sometimes be slow, especially in low contrast scenes, moving subjects, or low light. Manual focus is unavailable.

In contrast, the TG-4 adds several AF improvements critical for varied shooting scenarios:

• 25 autofocus points with both single and continuous AF modes
• Face detection for portraits
• AF tracking to maintain focus on moving subjects during burst shooting
• Manual focus override for fine control
• Macro focus down to 1 cm with focusing aids

This jump means the TG-4 is far better suited for wildlife, sports, or dynamic street photography compared to the 6010’s fixed, rudimentary system.

Lens Performance: Aperture and Zoom Flexibility

Both cameras carry non-interchangeable zoom lenses tailored for durability and waterproof seal:

• Olympus 6010: 28-102 mm equivalent (3.6x) with f/3.5-5.1 aperture range
• Olympus TG-4: 25-100 mm equivalent (4x) with f/2.0-4.9 aperture range

While zoom ranges are similar, the TG-4 offers a notably brighter wide end at f/2.0 compared to the 6010’s f/3.5. This brighter aperture enhances low-light capability and improves background separation for portraits and selective focus shots, especially helpful for achieving attractive bokeh despite the small sensor.

Close-focus macro performance is also significantly better on the TG-4, supporting focusing down to 1 cm with extra macro modes and focus stacking capability (a rare feature on rugged cameras), ideal for insect or flower photography.

Ruggedness and Environmental Sealing: Upgraded Protection

Both models advertise waterproof and freezeproof credentials, but the TG-4 pushes the envelope further:

• Olympus 6010: Waterproof to 10 meters, freeze-proof to -10ºC, shock-resistant to 1.5 m falls
• Olympus TG-4: Waterproof to 15 meters, freeze-proof to -10ºC, shock-resistant to 2.1 m, crushproof up to 100 kgf, dustproof

The TG-4’s certification also includes crushproof and enhanced dust sealing, allowing it to survive harsher environments such as arid deserts, alpine conditions, and deeper dives. The inclusion of a rugged battery cover and sealed SD slot reduces the risk of contamination.

These improvements make the TG-4 a more reliable choice for serious adventure photographers investing in gear longevity.

Burst Rates and Video: Moving Image Performance

The Olympus 6010’s continuous shooting and video capabilities are limited:

• No continuous shooting mode (no burst)
• Video max resolution: 640 x 480 (VGA) at 30 fps, Motion JPEG format
• No microphone or headphone ports

By 2015 standards, this is decidedly basic.

The TG-4 makes notable strides:

• 5 fps continuous shooting for up to 9 frames, useful for action sequences
• Full HD video capture at 1080p/30fps in H.264 format, plus 720p and VGA options
• Built-in stereo microphones (though no external audio inputs)
• Timelapse recording support

While not a full-fledged video rig, the TG-4 is adequate for casual to enthusiast-level video recording, especially underwater or in other rugged setups where full video cinema models are impractical.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Power efficiency and storage are practical concerns for outdoor photographers:

The 6010 utilizes a Li-50C battery, but official battery life figures are not specified. Anecdotally, expect about 150-200 shots per charge under variable conditions. Storage options include xD Picture Card, microSD, and internal memory, with a single card slot. The xD format is largely obsolete today, complicating media handling.

The TG-4 uses the widely-available LI-92B rechargeable battery rated for approximately 380 shots per charge, beneficial for long outings without frequent recharging. For storage, it uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and internal memory, simplifying media management.

Connectivity and Additional Features: Staying Current

The 6010 offers no wireless or GPS connectivity, limiting on-the-go image transfer or geotagging capabilities common today.

Olympus upgraded the TG-4 with built-in GPS for automatic geotagging and built-in Wi-Fi for wireless image sharing and remote camera control via dedicated apps. HDMI output is also included for direct playback on TVs.

For adventurers or travel photographers wanting efficient workflow integration and instant sharing, the TG-4 is far more capable.

Performance Across Photography Genres: How Do These Tough Cameras Compare?

We extensively field-tested both cameras in studio and natural light, considering portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, travel, and professional workflows to understand where each excels or falters.

Olympus 6010 screen back Olympus TG 4 front Olympus TG 4 screen back

Portraits

The TG-4 produces more pleasing skin tones and natural colors thanks to its superior sensor and image processing. Its wider aperture (f/2.0) enables softer backgrounds and better subject separation. Face detection autofocus adds confidence when snapping quick portraits.

The 6010 struggles with color accuracy and offers limited background blur. Lack of face detection makes nail-biting moments more frequent.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is critical for capturing the subtle tonal gradations of open scenes.

The TG-4’s BSI-CMOS sensor and RAW support yield better shadow detail and highlight preservation. The larger rear screen allows precise composition and histogram monitoring. Weather sealing gives peace of mind in wet environments.

The 6010, limited by sensor and screen, produces flatter images with less overall detail and no RAW format. Its waterproof rating is respectable but less robust.

Wildlife and Sports

Fast and accurate autofocus plus rapid frames per second are essential here.

6040 has only single AF and no burst mode; it’s effectively unusable for action or wildlife photography.

TG-4’s 5 fps continuous shooting, AF tracking, and better lens speed provide adequate tools for casual wildlife and sports shooters, though it remains limited compared to dedicated DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

Street and Travel Photography

Street photographers prize discreteness, portability, and rapid AF.

6010’s small size and light weight are attractive, but poor autofocus and laggy operation can be frustrating.

TG-4 is larger and heavier but offers quicker AF, weather resistance, and versatile shooting modes, balancing ruggedness and portability nicely.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Here the TG-4 shines with its 1 cm close-focus range, focus stacking, and brighter lens.

6010 macro shots at 2 cm are acceptable but not remarkable.

Night and Astro

High ISO performance and long exposure flexibility benefit the TG-4, though both are limited by small sensors and compact optics. TG-4 can shoot at higher native ISOs (up to 6400), while 6010 maxes at 1600 with significant noise.

Video

TG-4 offers full HD video and timelapse features, while 6010 lags at VGA resolution with no modern codecs or frame rates.

Wrapping Up: Who Should Buy Which Olympus Tough Model?

Both cameras serve different ends of the rugged compact spectrum.

Choose the Olympus 6010 if:

• Your budget is tight and you want a waterproof camera for casual, light-duty use
• Portability and simplicity are your priority over image quality or features
• You shoot mostly in bright conditions and need a rugged backup camera

Opt for the Olympus TG-4 if:

• You want significantly better image quality with RAW support and improved low-light capability
• Your photography includes macro, landscapes, underwater shooting, or moderate action photography
• You value comprehensive ruggedness for harsh environments along with modern connectivity and video
• You seek a camera that bridges casual and enthusiast needs without the bulk of DSLRs or mirrorless systems

Final Takeaway

The Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 is a nostalgic, ultracompact waterproof camera that holds up as an affordable, entry-level option. Its CCD sensor, minimal controls, and limited video make it a basic tool for snapshot adventures.

Meanwhile, the Olympus Tough TG-4 represents a distinctly more advanced and versatile rugged camera with meaningful improvements in image quality, autofocus, video, and environmental sealing. It caters to the more demanding enthusiast or semi-pro photographer who wants reliability and image quality without sacrificing portability.

If your photography goal is to combine ruggedness with competent imaging performance, the TG-4 is a worthy investment and remains relevant, even years after its release. The 6010 is best suited for fuss-free shooting off the beaten path when convenience and ruggedness outweigh technical finesse.

That’s our deep dive. Armed with this knowledge, you can pick the Olympus Tough model that best fits your needs and shooting style comfortably.

Happy shooting - and may your next camera be the perfect tough companion on your adventures!