Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2: A Practical 2024 Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a compact camera today can feel like opening a time capsule - especially if you’re considering models like the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 (a.k.a. mju Tough 6010) from 2009 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 launched in 2011. These two cameras represent an older generation of compacts when smartphones hadn’t completely absorbed the casual shooter market. Still, for hobbyists or professionals interested in ruggedness, simplicity, or even curiosity-driven collection, understanding their strengths and weaknesses remains valuable.

I’ve spent countless hours examining cameras across categories, from flagship mirrorless to waterproof point-and-shoots. Today, I’ll walk you through a detailed, hands-on comparison - covering ergonomics, imaging performance, autofocus, and more - to help you decide if either Olympus 6010 or Panasonic FH2 deserves a spot in your gear bag. Expect no fluff, just practical insights shaped by real-world use and technical know-how.

First Impressions: How These Cameras Feel in Your Hands

Before you even shoot a frame, how a camera feels - its size, weight, and control layout - can make or break the experience. Ergonomics especially matter if you carry your gear all day or hike rugged terrain.

Take a look here:

The Olympus 6010 is clearly bulkier and noticeably more rugged. Its 95 × 63 × 22 mm frame and 179 g weight might seem modest compared to DSLRs, but for a compact, it’s substantial. That heft owes itself to its rugged, waterproof design - yes, this guy is built to endure shocks, freezing temps, and submersion. I’ve personally tested similar Olympus Tough models in chilly hiking conditions, and that reassuring build quality keeps you confident in adverse weather.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic FH2 shrinks down to 94 × 54 × 19 mm and 121 g, making it more pocketable and discreet. It’s lighter, less obtrusive - ideal for everyday street shooting or travel where you crave minimalism. However, by design, it sacrifices ruggedness - no environmental sealing, no waterproofing. This trade-off steers it toward casual family trips or urban adventures rather than extreme environments.

Ergonomically, the 6010’s larger dimensions allow slightly bigger buttons that feel easier to manipulate, especially when wearing gloves outdoors. The FH2’s controls, while clear, feel tighter and less tactile.

Controlling Your Camera: Layout and Interface

Knowing how your camera’s dials, buttons, and screens are arranged can influence speed and comfort, especially in spontaneous shooting.

Let’s visually inspect the top configuration:

Both models forgo a dedicated electronic viewfinder, relying solely on their LCDs for framing. The Olympus 6010 opts for a straightforward design with limited buttons, emphasizing waterproof seals over rich controls. Panasonic FH2 introduces a few more features - like AF touch on the LCD - but neither caters to manual exposure control or advanced customization.

Neither camera implements aperture or shutter priority modes, limiting creative control to auto or simple scene presets. For enthusiasts used to more granular settings, these represent constraints. However, for beginners or those in need of a reliable “point-and-shoot” experience, this simplification can be a boon.

Delving into Imaging: Sensor Specs and Real-World Image Quality

Image quality hinges predominantly on sensor technology, so let’s bring up the sensor comparison:

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, whose physical size hovers around 27-28 mm². This sensor size found in many budget compacts isn’t a powerhouse by today’s standards - it's relatively tiny, limiting dynamic range and noise control. However, there are differences worth noting:

• The Panasonic FH2 pushes a 14 MP resolution (4320 × 3240 pixels), surpassing the Olympus 6010’s 12 MP (3968 × 2976 pixels). More pixels can mean finer detail but also may introduce more noise if not properly handled.
• The Olympus cap their ISO range conservatively, maxing out at 1600 ISO, whereas the Panasonic extends to 6400 ISO. In theory, that offers FH2 a better fighting chance in low light, though CCDs’ high ISO performance is generally limited.
• Both sensors include anti-aliasing filters, reducing moiré at the expense of some microsharpness.

From my hands-on experience shooting natural light portraits, landscapes, and indoor scenes, the Panasonic’s higher resolution yields marginally crisper details - especially when lighting cooperates. But pushing ISO beyond 400 on either camera leads to noticeable grain and contrast loss.

Back Screen and Interface: Your Eye to the Composition World

Despite no viewfinders, both rely on their LCD screens for composition and menu navigation.

Here’s how they stack visually:

The screens are similarly sized at 2.7 inches, but notably low in resolution by modern standards (230k dots for both). This means previewing images isn’t razor sharp; it’s possible to misjudge focus or fine exposure without a larger or higher-res screen.

The Panasonic FH2 adds a touch-sensitive screen, which enhances navigation fluidity, allowing quick focal point selection (an improvement over the Olympus’s more rudimentary button-driven interface). If you take a lot of snapshots in dynamic scenarios, tap-to-focus can be a helpful tool.

The Olympus 6010’s screen, while not touch-enabled, benefits from a simple menu and robust design to avoid water damage - crucial if you’re underwater or in wet conditions.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Staying Sharp When It Counts

Autofocus performance often trumps sensor specs in everyday use. A camera’s ability to lock focus quickly and accurately directly impacts capturing decisive moments.

Both use contrast-detection autofocus, which is slower and less predictive than phase detection common in DSLRs and newer mirrorless cameras.

Significant operational differences:

• The Olympus 6010 offers single AF only, no continuous or tracking modes.
• The Panasonic FH2 introduces limited AF tracking and face detection, complemented by touch AF, giving it an edge in dynamic situations.
• Number of AF points: 11 in Panasonic, no specific data for Olympus but presumed fewer given its simpler system.

I tested both cameras in various scenarios - static and moving subjects, indoors and out. The FH2’s AF tracking and face detection produced noticeably better results when shooting people or pets moving around. The Olympus, with single AF, required careful framing and stillness.

Neither camera supports manual focus, which frustrated me when trying macro shots under tricky conditions.

Versatility in Lenses: Fixed Optics and Zooms

Both cameras employ fixed lenses - no interchangeable option to swap glass.

• Olympus 6010: 28–102 mm equivalent, f/3.5–5.1 aperture.
• Panasonic FH2: 28–112 mm equivalent, f/3.1–6.5 aperture.

The Olympus’s slightly brighter wide end aperture should help moderate low-light performance, but the Panasonic extends focal length slightly longer, adding reach for casual telephoto shots.

Macro distance capabilities differ:

• Olympus: 2 cm minimum focusing distance.
• Panasonic: 5 cm minimum focusing distance.

This makes the Olympus preferable for close-up flower or insect shots, provided you work carefully with its single AF mode.

Weatherproofing and Reliability: Olympus Goes Rugged, Panasonic Keeps It Light

Here lies the most glaring difference:

Olympus 6010 screen back Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back

The Olympus 6010 is engineered for abuse: an ideal companion for hikers, beachgoers, snowboarders, or anyone seeking a dependable camera that won’t fail in rough environments.

Contrastingly, the Panasonic FH2 targets casual photographers who prioritize portability over rough handling.

In practice, having a rugged camera to just toss into a backpack or take underwater without worrying about a bulky housing is a game-changer for outdoor photography.

Burst, Video, and Continuous Shooting Capabilities

Neither camera is designed for high-speed shooting or professional video.

• Continuous shooting rates:
  • Olympus 6010: Not specified (likely very limited).
  • Panasonic FH2: Up to 4 fps - slow by today’s standards but respectable for casual use.
• Video capabilities:
  • Olympus 6010: Max 640 × 480 VGA at 30 fps in Motion JPEG.
  • Panasonic FH2: HD 1280 × 720 at 30 fps, also MJPEG.

If video or action capture is critical, the Panasonic’s HD video and slightly faster burst make it more accommodating. But both are underpowered compared to modern mirrorless or dedicated video cameras.

Neither supports external microphones or headphones, limiting audio quality and monitoring control.

Battery and Storage: Getting the Most from Your Sessions

Battery life details:

• Panasonic FH2: Rated for about 270 shots per charge, which I found honest and typical for compacts of its era.
• Olympus 6010: Battery life unspecified, but given its older design and sensor, anticipate shorter usage per charge.

Storage:

• Olympus 6010 uses xD Picture Card or microSD, reflecting older card standards now largely obsolete and harder to find.
• Panasonic FH2 accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, which remain industry standard and easier to manage.

If you plan to shoot extensively, Panasonic’s compatibility with modern SD cards is a significant convenience.

How Each Camera Excels Across Photography Genres

To understand what these compacts do well or stumble on, let’s examine their genre suitability. Here’s a score breakdown I compiled following extensive testing and scoring criteria:

Portraits: Panasonic FH2’s better face detection and continuous AF give it the edge, though neither camera excels in rendering smooth bokeh or skin tones due to fixed lens apertures and small sensors.

Landscapes: Olympus 6010’s ruggedness, decent resolution, and slightly brighter lens tip the scale when shooting outdoors, especially in challenging conditions. FH2's higher resolution helps with detail capture but is vulnerable to moisture or cold.

Wildlife & Sports: Neither is a serious contender - limited burst, AF speed, and reach restrict action photography potential.

Street & Travel: Panasonic wins for portability and discretion. Olympus’s bulk and rugged look can feel intrusive but may offer peace of mind in hazardous environments.

Macro: Olympus’s 2 cm focus distance surpasses Panasonic’s 5 cm, winning over macro enthusiasts within a casual context.

Night/Astro: Both cameras’ CCD sensors shoot up to ISO 1600 or 6400 but with significant noise. Neither is designed for low light, but Panasonic’s higher max ISO and manual white balance deliver slightly cleaner files.

Video: Panasonic’s HD video capability stands out, making it better for casual clips.

Overall Ratings and Value Assessment

Here’s a synthesized overall rating based on comprehensive feature and performance testing:

Considering price and market positioning:

• The Olympus 6010, while discontinued, trades on its ruggedness and niche appeal. Its waterproof design uniquely serves photographers active in wet or harsh conditions who need a no-nonsense shooter rather than optical sophistication.
• The Panasonic FH2, with a still-in-market price hovering around $150 used, appeals to those prioritizing portability, basic HD video, and a more modern lens and AF system but without weather sealing.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Pick the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 if:

• You need absolute durability - waterproof, shockproof, and freeze-proof.
• You prioritize outdoor adventure photography under inclement conditions.
• Close-up macro shooting with a 2 cm focus distance matters.
• You accept limited video, AF, and manual controls but desire rugged reliability.

Opt for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 if:

• Portability and lightweight compactness top your list.
• You want better image resolution and extended zoom reach.
• You shoot casual HD video or require face detection AF.
• You prefer using readily available SD cards and better battery life.

Closing Remarks: A Tribute to Simplified Photography

Both cameras remind us how far compact photography has come. The Olympus 6010 champions rugged specialized use, while the Panasonic FH2 embraces modest upgrades suitable for casual users advancing from smartphone snapshots - each carving its niche.

Neither camera competes with modern mirrorless or smartphones, of course, but their existence tells us about different priorities: toughness vs. convenience, simplicity vs. a touch more intelligent AF.

If you’re a collector or need a phone-proof backup with specific rugged capabilities, the Olympus is a compelling choice. If you’re after lightweight travel snapshots and family events with occasional HD video, Panasonic FH2 is more comfortable in your hand.

I hope my detailed side-by-side comparison helps you decide based on your shooting style, environment, and preferences. If you’re curious about real-world samples or in-depth sub-genre performance like astro or macro, drop me a line - I love diving into these specifics.

Happy shooting!

Note: Before buying either, verify condition, availability, and accessory compatibility, as both models are over a decade old. Batteries, cards, and chargers may require special sourcing. Also, firmware updates (if any) and software support should be considered to maximize usability.