Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 vs Olympus VR-320: The Ultimate Compact Camera Face-Off

When diving into the compact camera market, Olympus has consistently offered intriguing options that blend portability, features, and price. Two cameras that often pop up for budget-conscious photographers - or cheapskates who still want dependable quality - are the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 (aka mju Tough 8010) and the Olympus VR-320. Though both compact, they serve somewhat different needs and niches, which makes choosing between them a practical quandary for enthusiasts and pros alike.

Having spent hours in hands-on testing sessions with both models - putting them through portrait sessions, landscape explorations, street wandering, and even the occasional macro shot - I want to share my thorough comparison to help you pick the best fit for your photography adventures. Let’s peel back the layers and see how these two stack up, starting with the basics.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Can’t Judge a Camera by Its Cover?

First impressions matter. The Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 and VR-320 tip the scales differently and feel contrasting in the hand, primarily due to their design intentions.

The Stylus Tough 8010 is designed to survive the elements: waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof - think wrist-scrapes, downpours, and accidental tumbles. Its rugged, compact body measures 98 x 64 x 24 mm and weighs in at about 245 grams, making it satisfyingly chunky for a compact but not a burden. The grip molds nicely in your hands, with enough surface area to feel secure even when wearing gloves or standing knee-deep in a creek.

By contrast, the VR-320 is more slender and lightweight at 158 grams and sized 101 x 58 x 29 mm. It’s markedly less rugged - no weather sealing here - but carries a superzoom lens that makes it versatile for everyday snaps and travel. This one feels more pocket-friendly and a shade more classically “point-and-shoot.”

Ergonomics and Controls

The Stylus Tough 8010 keeps things simple by eschewing manual focus and exposure modes - great for those who want quick shots under rough conditions but limiting if you crave creative control. The controls are straightforward and durable, but absence of illuminated buttons means pushing buttons in dim light can be a challenge.

The VR-320 mirrors this simplicity but offers a larger 3-inch LCD versus the Tough’s 2.7-inch, giving more room for composition and playback, albeit both have the same modest 230k-dot resolution. However, no viewfinder on either, so it’s all about composing on the LCD.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Size, Different Output?

Both cameras employ a similar 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, a common size in compacts, but with subtle differences. The VR-320 edges out slightly with a 14-megapixel resolution, compared to the Stylus Tough 8010’s 13 megapixels - technically negligible but worth noting.

CCD sensors of this generation are known for their decent color rendition but limited dynamic range and weaker high-ISO performance compared to modern CMOS sensors. Neither camera supports RAW capture, so you’re stuck with JPEGs - fine for casual use, but a dealbreaker if you’re chasing extensive post-processing versatility.

In daylight shooting, both deliver fairly punchy colors and pleasing sharpness from their lenses. However, the VR-320’s slightly larger sensor area (28.07 mm² vs 27.72 mm²) gives it a tiny advantage in detail resolution.

When it comes to ISO performance, both plateau at ISO 1600, but the noisy results at that setting make it a last resort. The Tough 8010’s CCD performs a little cleaner at lower ISOs, which is key for shooting outdoors in varied lighting, especially since it’s built for rough conditions.

Sample Comparisons

I put both through paces capturing everything from portraits to landscapes; comparing test shots confirms the similar image quality baseline, with the VR-320 occasionally delivering a smidge sharper detail, likely due to its higher native resolution and slightly better lens clarity at equivalent focal lengths.

Olympus 8010 front Olympus 8010 screen back Olympus VR 320 front Olympus VR 320 screen back

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility vs Ruggedness

Optics can make or break a camera’s usefulness, so let’s talk about the lenses.

The Stylus Tough 8010 sports a 5x zoom lens equivalent from 28mm wide-angle to 140mm telephoto (35mm format equivalent), f/3.9-5.9 aperture. A respectable range for an underwater/hiking camera, trading reach for better compactness and robustness. Its macro focusing distance is a remarkable 1 cm, allowing seriously close-up shots of waterside insects or intriguing textures - a fun feature for specialized shooters.

On the other hand, the VR-320 comes with an ambitious 12.5x zoom covering 24mm ultra-wide to a whopping 300mm telephoto - far more versatile for distant subjects like street candids, wildlife, or travel landscapes with compression effects. Its aperture starts a bit faster at f/3.0 wide and narrows to f/5.9 at full zoom, quite typical for superzooms in this price range.

This zoom range boosts the VR-320’s flexibility but at the expense of ruggedness - it’s simply not waterproof or shockproof, so you better treat it with care.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience: Speed Matters

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus, the norm for compact cameras of their generation. Neither supports manual focus, which is a bummer for manual-control fans, but understandable given their casual target market.

The Stylus Tough 8010 offers single, center-weighted, and multiarea AF modes, but no face or eye detection. This simplicity helps ensure decent AF reliability in daylight but struggles in low light or with fast-moving subjects. Its continuous shooting performance is capped at 5fps, which is generous for a waterproof compacter but not sports-ready.

The VR-320, meanwhile, does include face detection autofocus - a bonus for portraits and street shooting - helping reliably lock onto human subjects. However, it lacks continuous burst mode altogether, which limits its action photography potential.

Neither camera supports tracking AF or advanced subject recognition beyond basic multi-area AF, which is expected given their entry-level positioning.

Movie Mode and Video Capabilities: Basic but Effective

Both cameras film HD video at 1280x720 pixels, 30 fps max, which was commendable at the time of release but now feels dated next to smartphones and newer compacts. The Tough 8010 encodes in H.264 for somewhat efficient compression, while the VR-320 uses Motion JPEG, which burns up more storage for similar quality.

Neither model sports external microphone inputs nor headphone jacks, limiting audio control. Both lack 4K video or any modern video features like stabilization (beyond sensor-shift for stills), slow motion, or advanced codecs.

For casual home movies or quick clips on vacation, they suffice, but professional video creators should look elsewhere.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Will You Keep Shooting?

Neither Olympus gem astonishes with battery endurance, but this is typical for this class. Both cameras use proprietary lithium-ion batteries - Li-50B for the Tough 8010 and LI-42B for the VR-320.

In real-world testing, the Tough 8010 typically manages around 280 shots per charge, aided by its smaller screen and fewer power demands during outdoor use. The VR-320, with its brighter 3-inch screen and longer zoom, sees about 230 shots on one battery - enough for a day’s shooting if you’re conservative.

Both cameras accept SD or SDHC cards, but no dual slots or support for faster UHS standards, which could slow buffer clearing during burst shooting (though this is moot given the limited shooting modes).

Outdoor Performance: Weatherproofing and Durability Win with the 8010

If your photography means braving the elements - be it mountain streams, beachside hikes, or snow-covered trails - the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 stands out.

It’s waterproof down to 10 meters (33 feet), shockproof from drops up to 2 meters, and freezeproof to -10°C. This level of environmental sealing is a game changer for adventurers or parents capturing rambunctious kids outdoors. You won’t worry about rain or accidental dunks.

The VR-320 offers no such assurances - it’s a standard compact camera that needs a dry jacket and some TLC when weather turns sour.

Artistic Applications: Who Suits Which Photography Style?

Let’s put these cameras under the lens for specific photography applications:

Portrait Photography

• VR-320: Thanks to face detection autofocus and a wider lens aperture option at f/3.0, it captures more pleasing bokeh and better skin tone rendition in controlled lighting. The 300mm zoom helps for candid portraits from a distance.
• Tough 8010: Limited aperture and no face detection mean portraits can be less refined. The rugged body makes it tricky to finesse composition or trigger shots delicately.

Landscape

• Tough 8010: Waterproof and tough, perfect for wild landscapes where conditions are unpredictable. The 28mm wide angle covers decent terrain, but the 13MP CCD sensor caps resolution.
• VR-320: A wider 24mm start gives expansive framing for sweeping views. The 14MP sensor and 3-inch screen help compose panoramic scenes, but lack of weather sealing is a handicap outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports

• Both cameras struggle here, but:
• VR-320’s longer zoom presents obvious benefits over the Tough’s shorter reach.
• Neither has high-speed burst or advanced tracking AF, so don’t expect crisp shots of fast action.
• Tough 8010’s durability might be attractive if you’re rough on gear in the field.

Street Photography

• VR-320: Compact size, decent zoom, face detection - good for candid street captures, though somewhat bulky.
• Tough 8010: Bulkier and less discrete but robust enough for all-weather urban adventures.

Macro Photography

• Both have a superb 1cm macro focusing distance, but neither supports focus stacking or manual focus.
• Tough 8010’s underwater macro abilities are a niche standout.

Night and Astrophotography

• Neither camera excels here. CCD sensor noise at high ISO limits low-light performance.
• Stabilization can help, but no long exposure modes or bulb shutter.
• Your best bet for night shooting in this duo is tough luck.

Connectivity & Extras: Barebones but Functional

Neither camera sports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS - no location tags or wireless image transfers, so anticipate using USB cables for data offload. Only the Tough 8010 features an HDMI port for playback on TVs, an edge for portfolio review over the VR-320.

Both cameras lack touchscreen controls or electronic viewfinders, so navigating menus and focusing relies entirely on buttons - a familiar workflow for longtime compact users but not very speedy.

Price and Value: Are These Cameras Worth It Today?

Originally, the Tough 8010 targeted rugged camera buyers with a $600 price tag - premium for its class back in 2010.

The VR-320 launched about a year later at $179 MSRP, a much more accessible point for everyday users wanting decent zoom and image quality without bells and whistles.

Today, both are aging but available used or cheap new, making them options for budget enthusiasts or beginner photographers wanting solid compact cameras without breaking the bank. However, smartphone camera advancements greatly narrow what these models can uniquely offer.

Overall Scores and Performance Summary

I put together a consolidated performance chart based on extensive hands-on testing, focusing on sensor output, autofocus, build quality, and feature set.

The Tough 8010 scores highest for build quality and durability; the VR-320 excels slightly in versatility and zoom range.

Which Specializes Where? Genre-Specific Analysis

Breaking down their suitability across photography types helps match user needs.

• Portrait: VR-320
• Landscape: Tough 8010
• Wildlife: VR-320 (for zoom)
• Sports: Neither ideal, but Tough 8010 slightly better for burst
• Street: VR-320
• Macro: Tough 8010 (especially underwater)
• Night/Astro: Neither shines
• Video: Comparable, both basic
• Travel: Depends - Tough for rugged trips, VR-320 for versatility
• Professional: Neither meets pro-level demands fully

My Practical Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 if…

• You require a rugged camera that can survive harsh environments - waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof.
• You prioritize durability for hiking, snorkeling, or adventurous outdoor photography.
• You want a camera capable of close-up macro shots in unusual conditions.
• You’re okay sacrificing zoom range and image quality finesse for a reliable, go-anywhere device.

Opt for the Olympus VR-320 if…

• You need an affordable compact camera with a long zoom range for versatility.
• You often shoot portraits or street scenes where face-detection autofocus helps.
• Weather sealing is not a priority and you mainly shoot indoors or in controlled outdoor settings.
• You want a slightly larger screen and more zoom power for travel snapshots.

In Closing: Weighing Options in a Compact Camera World

If you’re reading this in 2024, you’re likely aware that much of what these cameras offered at their launch price can now be eclipsed by mid-range smartphones or modern entry-level mirrorless cameras. However, for specific niches - particularly rugged outdoor use - the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 still carves out a niche.

The VR-320, with its longer zoom and face detection, remains a solid budget-friendly choice for casual shooters wanting more focal length reach. But don’t expect high-speed autofocus, manual controls, or stellar low-light performance from either.

Both are testament to Olympus’s design philosophy: simple, functional cameras aimed at everyday photographers looking for reliable tools - without breaking the bank.

Making your pick comes down to your personal shooting style and environment: do you need a trusty companion that won’t falter in a sudden rainstorm or on rocky terrain? Grab the Tough 8010. Want a cheapskate’s zoom monster for casual fun and street photography? The VR-320’s your buddy.

Either way, you’re getting a thoughtfully built compact that, despite their age, retain charm and utility for photographic exploration.

Happy shooting, and remember: the best camera is the one you have in hand, whether it’s a rugged Tough or a zoom-happy VR!