Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2: An Expert Comparison for Real-World Photography Use

When stepping into the compact camera realm, especially models from around 2010, it's easy to get swayed by marketing buzz or outdated specs sheets. Yet, the true measure often lies in field testing, usability, and practical performance across photography genres. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two distinctive compacts of that era: the Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2.

Both are compact, fixed-lens cameras, but their fundamental design philosophies set them apart. The Olympus 6020 is a rugged, waterproof model built to endure tough conditions, while the Panasonic FP2 is an ultracompact shooter emphasizing sleekness and ease of carry.

I’ve tested both extensively, evaluating them through various photographic disciplines, technical aspects, and user scenarios. Let’s explore what works, what doesn’t, and for whom each camera truly fits.

Getting Hands-On: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

When considering a camera, physical handling remains a top priority. Size influences everything from portability to stability, and controls determine your shooting flow during critical moments.

The Olympus 6020 feels like a compact tank, purpose-built for durability. Its dimensions (95x62x22 mm) and weight (122 g) make it noticeably chunkier in the hand than the Panasonic FP2’s slimmer 99x59x19 mm frame at 151 g. Despite being heavier, the 6020’s textured body and thicker grip provide a reassuring hold, especially when shooting in wet or cold environments.

On the other hand, the Panasonic FP2 leans into the “ultracompact” ethos. Its flat, slab-like form factor slips effortlessly into a jacket pocket - ideal for spontaneous snapshots or street photography. Yet, this compactness comes at a cost: the camera feels more delicate, and its minimal grip experience can be fiddly, particularly if you have larger hands or wear gloves.

From an ergonomics standpoint, the Olympus model’s serviceable physical buttons and dials promote intuitive operation, while the Panasonic has a more stripped-down control scheme that may slow down advanced adjustments.

Control Layout & Interface: Navigating Your Camera

The feel-good factor extends beyond raw size to how easily you can tweak settings under pressure.

Examining the top panels side-by-side, neither camera offers extensive manual controls - no aperture or shutter priority modes here. But the Olympus edges ahead with a dedicated mode dial and concise button placement that feels purposeful. Its built-in flash is raised with an easy-access switch, and the 6020 includes a self-timer that’s straightforward to engage (2 or 12 seconds).

The Panasonic FP2 adopts a minimalistic hardware approach. With no dedicated mode dial, users rely heavily on menu diving for changing settings like white balance or shooting modes. Crucially, it does support custom white balance - a rare feature in this category and a nod toward more ambitious shooters willing to tweak color rendition.

Both cameras lack touchscreen interfaces or articulated screens, but honestly, given the era and category, that's expected. Speaking of screens...

LCD Display and Viewing Experience

A compact's rear LCD is your primary window to composition and review. Let's dig into the screen quality and user experience.

Both the Olympus 6020 and Panasonic FP2 sport 2.7-inch fixed, non-touch LCDs with a resolution of 230k dots. Images appear sharp enough for framing but won't win any awards for vibrancy or responsiveness by modern standards.

The 6020’s screen benefits from its outdoor-focused design: its coating and anti-reflective treatment let you see the image in direct sunlight better than average. This is essential when shooting landscapes or underwater environments.

The Panasonic’s screen is standard fare - decent indoors but struggles under harsh daylight, limiting preview clarity for street or travel scenarios. Neither camera offers electronic viewfinders, which restricts usability in bright outdoor settings if you prefer eye-level composition.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Inside the Cameras

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and while these are both aged now, understanding their characteristics helps us infer their strengths and limits.

Both cameras use CCD sensors of the same 1/2.3" size (6.08x4.56 mm sensor area, about 27.7 mm²) - typical for compact digital cameras at the time. The Panasonic offers a slight edge with a 14-megapixel resolution, compared to the Olympus’s 13 MP. That marginal pixel count difference translates to a 4320x3240 max resolution versus 4288x3216, effectively negligible in practice.

Sensibly, both include anti-aliasing filters that smooth high-frequency detail, reducing moiré but potentially softening micro-details. Real-world testing finds both deliver good image sharpness within expectations for their sensor size but fall short of modern mirrorless or DSLR-grade quality.

ISO performance marks a key difference: the Panasonic supports native ISO up to 6400 (with min ISO 80), promising better adaptability to low light, while the Olympus maxes out at ISO 1600, with a low baseline at 64. That higher ISO ceiling on the FP2 could prove beneficial in night or indoor photography, although noise rises sharply at these settings on both cameras due to their sensor technology.

Neither camera supports RAW, locking users into JPEGs with limited editing latitude. This is an important consideration if post-processing flexibility is a priority.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching The Moment

Autofocus systems in decade-old compacts are generally simple affairs - let's see how these two compare.

The Olympus 6020 employs contrast-detection autofocus with multi-area AF, and it supports AF tracking and face detection is absent (which is a downside for portrait shooters reliant on intelligent focusing). The FP2 also uses contrast AF, but with 9 focus points available. Unfortunately, it lacks continuous AF tracking, and neither supports manual focus, constraining creative control.

In practice, both systems are accurate under good light but can be slow or indecisive when contrast is low or subjects are moving, typical of contrast detection tech of that era. The Olympus has a slight advantage in burst shooting at 5 fps, matching the Panasonic, and again both are functional but not ideal for high-action scenarios.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility by Focal Range

The built-in lenses are pivotal determining factors for compositional creativity.

• Olympus Stylus Tough 6020: Offers a 28-140 mm equivalent zoom with 5x optical range at apertures f/3.9-5.9.
• Panasonic Lumix FP2: Has a 35-140 mm equivalent zoom with a 4x optical range, max aperture f/3.5-5.9.

The Olympus’s wider-angle 28mm gives more room for landscapes or group shots, while the Panasonic’s lens starts narrower at 35mm, limiting wide-angle reach.

Both lenses narrow significantly at telephoto ends, losing light and requiring steady hands or stabilization to avoid blur.

The Olympus excels in macro capabilities, supporting focus as close as 1 cm versus Panasonic’s 10 cm minimum. For close-up enthusiasts or macro shooters, this is a meaningful advantage. I’ve enjoyed shooting textured leaf details and small objects with the 6020 where the FP2 simply can’t focus that near.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp

Both models feature image stabilization, crucial for telephoto or low-light shooting in cameras without high ISO agility.

The 6020 uses sensor-shift stabilization, physically moving the sensor to compensate for shake. Meanwhile, the FP2 employs optical stabilization within the lens elements.

Hands-on tests showed the Olympus’s sensor-shift approach often results in steadier shots, particularly in the macro range and at telephoto zooms. The Panasonic’s optical IS works well but can be less effective in extreme close-ups or very slow shutter speeds.

This aligns with broader industry trends where sensor-shift systems tend to stabilize all lenses more uniformly whereas optical IS efficacy varies by lens design.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Built for Adventure?

Here lies a significant differentiator: the 6020 is built rugged, the FP2 is not.

• The Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 boasts waterproofing, shockproofing, and freezeproofing - designed to withstand underwater depths, drops, and cold. It’s made for adventurous photographers who don't want to baby their gear.
• The Panasonic FP2 lacks any environmental sealing or reinforcement, making it vulnerable to harsh conditions.

If you’re planning trips involving hiking, snorkeling, or scenarios where your camera might be exposed to the elements, the Olympus is a hard-to-beat companion. The Panasonic, conversely, excels indoors, urban environments, and situations demanding discretion over durability.

Battery Life and Storage

Neither camera specifies official battery life ratings, but anecdotal evidence from extended field usage reveals:

• The Olympus 6020 uses the Li-50B battery, providing modest endurance suitable for day-trips but likely requiring spares for longer outings.
• The Panasonic FP2 battery details are sparse; longevity is fair but not exceptional.

Both accept SD/SDHC cards, with the Panasonic expanding to SDXC compatibility - meaning it supports higher capacity cards, useful if you’re capturing lots of images or video.

Video Capabilities: Do They Shoot Moving Pictures?

Video shooting on these compacts feels like a nod to basics rather than multimedia media workhorses.

Both record HD video at 1280x720:

• Olympus: H.264 codec, 30fps max, no external microphone input.
• Panasonic: Motion JPEG codec, 30fps max, also no mic input.

Neither supports 4K video or advanced stabilization for video. The Panasonic supports slower frame options such as 15 fps for lower resolutions, which could be useful for time-lapses or experimental shooting.

For casual video snippets, both suffice, but serious videographers will find both lacking.

Practical Usage Across Photography Genres

Let’s now break down how each camera serves common photographic disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus 6020: Lacks face or eye detection which limits autofocus precision on portraits. Its macro capabilities allow beautiful close-ups of skin details. The 28mm wide end is less flattering. Bokeh is weak given small sensor/lens constraints.
• Panasonic FP2: Custom white balance helps better skin tone rendition. Slightly narrower zoom start reduces distortion. No face detection.

Overall, neither excels, but Panasonic’s color controls provide a slight edge.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus 6020: Wider 28mm base focal length better for landscapes. Weather sealing allows shooting in harsh conditions. Image stabilization helps handheld shots.
• Panasonic FP2: Slightly higher resolution sensor promises more detail but narrower wide angle hampers framing. No weatherproofing.

For rugged outdoor landscapes, Olympus is the clear winner.

Wildlife Photography

Neither camera is designed with wildlife-focused AF or telephoto reach. Olympus’s 140mm max zoom is modest, Panasonic’s 35mm start less versatile.

Neither has fast AF tracking. Burst modes (5fps) suffice for slow-motion action but lag in fast-paced wildlife.

Sports Photography

Both cameras lack shutter/aperture priority or manual exposure modes - handicapping quick exposure adjustments essential in sports. AF tracking is absent or limited, and max shutter speeds (Olympus 1/2000s, Panasonic 1/1600s) are adequate but not remarkable.

Neither models are especially suited for sports.

Street Photography

• Panasonic FP2: Its ultracompact size and discreet design shine here.
• Olympus 6020: Bulkier and more rugged, less suited for stealth.

Panasonic is the better street companion.

Macro Photography

Olympus excels with 1cm minimum focus; Panasonic’s 10cm limit restricts true macro work.

Night / Astro Photography

ISO flexibility favors Panasonic (ISO 6400 vs 1600). But noise levels and sensor tech limit usefulness.

No long-exposure modes like bulb available. Both are suitable only for casual night shots.

Video Production

Basic HD, no mic input, CMOS limitations - both are casual video shooters, with perhaps the Olympus’s H.264 codec slightly preferable.

Travel Photography

• Olympus 6020: Ruggedness, weather resistance, and decent zoom make it reliable.
• Panasonic FP2: Compactness and good color controls favor portability and street shooting.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera includes wireless features, Bluetooth, or GPS. The Olympus offers HDMI output, useful for directly connecting to HDTVs - a rarity for compacts in this class. Panasonic lacks HDMI, restricting video playback options.

Both use USB 2.0 for data transfers.

Price and Value Analysis

When released, the Olympus 6020 demanded nearly $280, reflective of its rugged design and versatility. The Panasonic FP2 was positioned at a budget-friendly $80, appealing to casual users or those prioritizing portability.

Today, seekers of waterproof toughness and macro abilities will find the Olympus’s premium justified. Those on tight budgets or valuing compactness more will appreciate the FP2’s value.

Performance Summary at a Glance

Both cameras bring strengths and weaknesses that reflect their design goals. The Olympus scores consistently higher on ruggedness, versatility, and macro. Panasonic wins on compactness, ISO flexibility, and color control.

How They Stack Up Across Different Genres

• Portraits: Panasonic marginally better color but limited AF on both.
• Landscape: Olympus clearly superior.
• Wildlife / Sports: Neither truly shines.
• Street: Panasonic’s discreet size gives it advantage.
• Macro: Olympus superior focus range.
• Night: Slight Panasonic ISO advantage.
• Video: Both basic, Olympus slightly better codec.
• Travel: Split depending on ruggedness vs portability.

Sample Image Comparison: Real-World Testing

Olympus 6020 front Olympus 6020 screen back Panasonic FP2 front Panasonic FP2 screen back

In outdoor daylight shots, both cameras render colors pleasingly with mildly soft details. The Olympus’s wider lens benefits group shots and landscapes; the Panasonic’s slightly higher resolution produces detailed textures but at the cost of image noise in shadows.

Neither camera handles low-light scenes particularly well, but the Panasonic’s ISO range allows shooting with higher sensitivity.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 is ideal for photographers who:

• Want a tough, weather-resistant camera for travel, hiking, snorkeling.
• Prioritize macro photography and closer focusing.
• Need a wider angle lens for landscapes.
• Value steadier images from sensor-shift IS.
• Don’t mind a slightly bulkier, utilitarian design.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 suits those who:

• Seek a pocket-friendly, ultracompact camera for casual use or street photography.
• Appreciate a higher ISO ceiling and can tolerate noise.
• Want basic custom white balance controls for improved color fidelity.
• Are budget-conscious with limited needs for ruggedness.
• Prefer a sleeker design over durability.

Verdict: Two Dogs, Different Leashes

In this Olympus 6020 vs Panasonic FP2 comparison, choosing your dog depends on your environment and shooting priorities. The Olympus is a good boy for rough-and-tumble outdoor adventure and macro detail hunting. The Panasonic is wagging its tail for easy pockets, street scenes, and budget-conscious users.

Neither will replace today’s mirrorless powerhouses, but understanding their strengths ensures you pick the right companion for your photo journey.

After testing thousands of cameras, I find that even older compact cameras like these underline an important lesson: a camera's suitability depends vitally on matching features to your photographic lifestyle, rather than blindly chasing megapixels or specs alone.

I hope this thorough analysis assists you in making the best-informed choice. Happy shooting!