Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90: A Real-World Comparison of Two Compact Cameras

In the ever-evolving world of compact cameras, choosing the right model boils down to a blend of how the gear handles in your hands, the image quality it delivers, and whether it aligns with your particular photographic ambitions. Today, I’m putting the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 side by side in a detailed comparison. Both hail from a similar generation of small-sensor compacts and share some spec-level similarities – yet, these distinctions determine vastly different user experiences.

Drawing on hours testing both cameras in real-world conditions, I’ll unpack everything from physical design and sensor performance to autofocus behavior and suitability across key photography genres. Whether you’re a travel photographer seeking a pocket cruiser or a budding enthusiast needing a rugged little companion, this review will clarify which compact fits your bill.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: How These Cameras Feel in Hand

Our first stop: how each camera fits physically and operationally in a photographer’s grip. Ergonomics can make or break not just comfort but shooting efficiency.

Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 measures 95x62x22 mm and weighs 182 grams. It’s hardened with a tough body designed to withstand rough handling - featuring environmental sealing, shock resistance, and freezeproof capabilities (highly unusual for compacts in this class). The 8000 offers robust, rubberized grips, tactile buttons, and a modestly sized 2.7-inch fixed LCD. However, button labeling is sparse, and the lack of a viewfinder means you’re relying fully on the screen for composition.

In contrast, the Panasonic FX90 clocks in at 102x56x22 mm and 149 grams. It’s lighter and slimmer but without weather sealing - a tradeoff for portability and sleekness. The FX90’s 3-inch screen is significantly sharper (460k dots vs. 230k) and supports touch input, elevating interface intuitiveness. The control layout feels more modern and minimalistic, though that reduces immediate tactile verification when shooting under pressure.

From a top-down view, it’s clear Panasonic packed more into a svelte shell, including a zoom rocker around the shutter and dedicated buttons for exposure and flash. The Olympus, while rugged, feels a touch bulkier and less refined ergonomically but offers better grip for active outdoor use.

My take: If you prioritize ruggedness and intend to shoot in harsh conditions, the Olympus 8000 outright wins in build and handling security. If you want a compact for everyday carry with a finger-friendly interface and sharper live view, Panasonic’s FX90 is the more approachable package.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera Experience

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3" CCD sensor of roughly 12 megapixels - a common compact camera staple of the time. The sensor area is identical, at around 27.7 mm², which inherently limits noise performance and dynamic range compared to larger sensors.

Resolution:

The FX90 produces images around 4000×3000 pixels, slightly edging out the Olympus’s 3968×2976 max capture. Both deliver similar pixel counts, translating to comparable cropping flexibility and print sizes.

ISO range:

Olympus tops out at ISO 1600 max native sensitivity but without RAW capture support, limiting post-processing latitude. Meanwhile, Panasonic reaches ISO 6400, allowing higher light gathering albeit with increased noise. Still, the FX90 also lacks RAW output, which confines you mostly to JPEG edits.

Image stabilization:

The 8000 boasts a sensor-shift (IBIS) system, whereas the FX90 uses optical stabilization (OIS) embedded in its lens. While both reduce camera shake, sensor-shift tends to yield better steadiness, especially in macro and telephoto shots.

Color and dynamic range: Without DxOMark scores, we rely on experiential tests. The Olympus delivers punchier colors with a slightly warmer tone - great for skin tones and natural scenes. The Panasonic produces more neutral hues, suitable for those wanting tighter post-processing controls.

Lens characteristics:

• Olympus lens: 28-102 mm (equivalent), f/3.5-5.1 max aperture
• Panasonic lens: 24-120 mm (equivalent), f/2.5-5.9 max aperture

The Panasonic’s wider 24mm start and faster f/2.5 aperture at the wide end offer more flexibility in low light and wider framing - key advantages for landscapes and interiors.

Screen and Interface: How You See Your Shots

A quality display is central to compacts without viewfinders, and here the Panasonic shines with its 3-inch, 460k-dot TFT touchscreen, a big leap over the Olympus’s 2.7-inch, 230k-dot non-touch LCD.

On the Olympus, menu navigation requires physical buttons and a non-sensitive, lower-resolution screen, which can feel slow and limiting during quick operations. Panasonic’s touchscreen support brings a more agile shooting experience - half-press shutter, focus point selection, and easier menu scrolling.

While neither offers electronic viewfinders - a common omission in these class cameras - the FX90’s visibility in bright sunlight is generally better due to improved screen brightness and contrast.

Autofocus System: Speed and Accuracy for All Shooting Situations

I tested autofocus performance extensively across natural daylight, indoor rooms, and low-light scenarios.

Olympus: Relies on a sole contrast-detection AF point centered on the frame - no face or eye detection, no multi-area focus. The system is reliable for still subjects with limited movement but noticeably lagging when confronted with moving targets or attempting macro focus. Single-shot AF is firm but hunts perceptibly in dim conditions.

Panasonic: Boasts 23 focus points with contrast detection and rudimentary continuous autofocus. The FX90 also supports touch AF, allowing focus point placement anywhere on the screen - a big plus. Face detection is not present, but AF tracking of stationary subjects is better. Autofocus speed feels faster and more accurate than the Olympus, especially in well-lit conditions.

Practical implications: For wildlife or sports enthusiasts, the Panasonic offers a more responsive AF system, though both cameras fall short compared to modern hybrids or DSLRs for fast action capture. For casual snapshots, either is adequate.

Shooting Performance Across Photographic Genres

How do these cameras fare when tested against the diverse demands of photography genres? Drawing from field and controlled tests, here’s a discipline-by-discipline breakdown:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus: The 8000’s warmer color rendering slightly favors skin tones. The sensor-shift stabilization aids handheld shooting at lower shutter speeds. However, the f/3.5 max aperture at wide angle combined with a smaller sensor means natural, creamy bokeh is out of reach. The absence of face/eye-detection autofocus challenges focus precision on faces.

• Panasonic: The faster f/2.5 lens head gives a modest edge in subject isolation, especially in good light. Touch AF allows easier subject targeting; however, noisier ISO 6400 limits low light portrait quality.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus: Weather sealing adds peace of mind shooting outdoors in unstable conditions - dust or drizzle. Image quality is slightly softer at edges but color saturation is vivid.

• Panasonic: Wider 24 mm lens start is excellent for expansive scenes. The FX90’s higher max ISO (6400) and faster shutter speed max (1/4000s vs 1/2000s Olympus) help capture crisp images in varying light.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus: Sensor-shift stabilization helps steady tele zoom shots up to 102 mm equivalent. However, slow AF and single-point focus limit hunting moving animals.

• Panasonic: Faster continuous AF and higher frame rate (4 fps continuous shooting vs. no continuous on Olympus) are definite advantages for tracking fleeing subjects, notwithstanding the smaller telephoto reach limit.

Sports Photography

• Olympus: No continuous AF or burst shooting hinders ability to capture fast action.

• Panasonic: Offers 4 fps burst with continuous AF, better but still limiting when compared to enthusiast-level sports cameras.

Street Photography

• Olympus: Rugged body is less discrete but offers protection during urban adventures. Screen visibility is moderate.

• Panasonic: Lighter, more compact, and quick touchscreen operation make it more conducive to candid shooting, despite lacking silent shutter options.

Macro Photography

• Olympus: Close focusing down to 2 cm and the IBIS system achieve effective macro results with crisp detail.

• Panasonic: Minimum focus of 3 cm, and optical stabilization work reasonably well, but slower AF response slightly detracts from macro ease.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus: ISO limit 1600 restricts noise management; no manual exposure modes means longer exposures are tough manually.

• Panasonic: Higher ISO ceiling (6400) helps, but smaller sensor and JPEG-only output cap quality. No bulb mode or timelapse recording in either.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus: Very basic 640x480 VGA video at 30 fps - significantly outdated and low quality.

• Panasonic: Full HD 1920x1080 at 60 fps, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 codec support. No external microphone input, but stabilized video makes FX90 preferable for casual video shooters.

Travel Photography

• Olympus: More rugged for adventure travel; slightly bigger size and less battery life info reduce appeal.

• Panasonic: Slimmer, lighter, and better screen make it a more versatile travel option, assuming dry conditions.

Professional Applications

Neither camera caters to professional workflows - no RAW support, no advanced exposure modes, limited file formats. They’re best regarded as enthusiast compacts rather than serious tools.

Technical Build and Connectivity Overview

Neither camera offers wireless features like Bluetooth or GPS for geotagging, though the Panasonic does include basic built-in Wi-Fi, a significant step forward for 2011-era compacts. Olympus’s shockproof and freezeproof certifications give it a niche in adventure tough cameras, while Panasonic focuses on a more polished user experience.

Sample Image Gallery and Quality Assessment

It's often through real imagery that differences become palpable:

Olympus 8000 front Olympus 8000 screen back Panasonic FX90 front Panasonic FX90 screen back

Examining paired JPEGs from both cameras across daylight, shadow, and indoor conditions reveals:

• Panasonic FX90 delivers slightly sharper images with broader tonal range and cleaner highlights.
• Olympus 8000 images skew warmer with vibrant colors but show more noise in shadows.
• Both struggle in low light but Panasonic’s faster lens helps retain exposure.
• Neither can mimic DSLR-grade subject separation due to physical aperture and sensor size constraints.

Final Performance Ratings and Comparative Scores

Our testing includes multiple factors weighted by their real-world relevance.

The Panasonic FX90 edges ahead in autofocus performance, video capabilities, and user interface, placing it firmly in the "good compact" category for enthusiasts. The Olympus 8000’s rugged build and sensor-shift stabilization earn it a special mention for outdoor shooters despite underwhelming imaging performance.

Looking deeper into genre-specific scores clarifies the strengths further:

• Outdoor/Adventure Photography: Olympus excels.
• Candid and Street Use: Panasonic has upper hand.
• Video and Mixed Use: Panasonic leads.
• Low Light/Creative Control: Both limited but Panasonic slightly better.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 if:

  • You need a compact, rugged camera that can endure rough hiking, beach trips, or general clumsiness.
  • Your priority is durability and image stabilization over video or autofocus speed.
  • You don’t require advanced exposure control or professional-grade outputs.
  • Your budget allows for the higher price (~$380), factoring in its specialty features.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 if:

  • You want a stylish, lightweight point-and-shoot for casual to enthusiast use.
  • Prioritize image quality, video recording, and user-friendly operation (touchscreen).
  • Your primary subjects include street scenes, travel photos, or family portraits in good lighting.
  • You seek Wi-Fi connectivity and more modern media formats at a more affordable price (~$227).

Wrapping It Up: An Expert’s Perspective

Having personally handled thousands of cameras over two decades, I appreciate how much nuance even these small, technical details can add up to. The Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 is a specialized compact designed for rugged environments, where specifications like weather sealing and sensor-shift IBIS provide a measure of creative freedom otherwise unavailable to typical compacts.

On the other hand, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 offers a more balanced package for general photography enthusiasts who value sharper images, faster autofocus, and full HD video in a pocketable form factor.

Neither camera suits professional needs due to their small sensors and lack of RAW support, but both remain valid options in their niche - especially for photographers who want a no-fuss, dependable compact with distinct advantages.

Before purchasing, I encourage hands-on trials if possible, paying particular attention to how the interface and grip feel, as these aspects will guide daily enjoyment and shooting success.

This direct comparison highlights key differences you won’t find on spec sheets alone. Whichever side you lean toward, both cameras serve as instructive cases of the trade-offs involved in compact camera design and capabilities in their era.

Happy shooting!