Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 vs Pentax Optio RZ10: A Detailed Compact Camera Face-Off

When you’re shopping for a compact camera, the choice can be more complex than it seems - especially when you’re comparing two cameras from respected legacy brands that cater to decidedly different niches. On one hand, you have the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010, a ruggedized waterproof companion that promises durability in extreme conditions. On the other, the Pentax Optio RZ10, a small-sensor compact with a massive zoom range designed for versatility on the go.

Having spent countless hours with both models – and hundreds more testing compact cameras across multiple genres – I’m here to help you navigate the specs, real-world performance, ergonomics, and shooting experience you can expect from these two.

Let’s dive in.

Getting to Know the Contenders - Constructed for Different Battles

For starters, it’s clear these cameras serve different primary purposes, yet they compete in overlapping consumer sectors - casual enthusiasts who want point-and-shoot simplicity but might prioritize varied aspects like ruggedness or zoom reach.

Olympus Stylus Tough 8010: Built for Adventure

Launched in early 2010, the Olympus 8010 stakes its claim as a waterproof, freezeproof, and shockproof compact. Designed for active photographers who want a camera that won’t flinch at a splash, a tumble, or sub-zero temps. Its 5× zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent) offers modest reach, and the sensor is a standard 1/2.3” CCD with 13MP resolution.

Pentax Optio RZ10: Zoom King in a Petite Body

Introduced mid-2011, the Pentax RZ10 is a small sensor compact with a formidable 10× zoom lens (28-280mm equivalent), making it a tempting choice for those needing versatility without swapping lenses or lugging heavy gear. With a 14MP CCD sensor, it bumps the resolution slightly over the Olympus, and though it lacks Olympus's hardcore waterproofing, it does offer some level of environmental sealing.

Before we dissect image quality and features, let’s check out their physical presence and handling.

Handling & Ergonomics: A Tale of Two Designs

Compact cameras often get knocked for “toy-like” build quality, but both Olympus and Pentax put some thought into their design.

The Olympus 8010 is noticeably chunkier and more rugged - measuring 98x64x24mm and tipping the scales at 245g. Its rubberized grips and sealed buttons make it confidence-inspiring when used near water or in rough outdoor conditions. The downsides? The larger size and heft could pose a portability trade-off if you prefer to slide your camera into a slim jacket pocket.

In contrast, the Pentax RZ10 is slimmer front-to-back (33mm thick) and lighter at 178g. Measuring 97x61x33mm, it’s thinner but taller, with a more pocketable, conventional compact design that’s easy to carry all day. The control layout is straightforward, although the lack of illuminated buttons means it can get fiddly in dim environments. No rugged protection here, though it does have environmental sealing to fend off minor dust and moisture.

Looking closer at the top controls, the Olympus favors functionality with a robust mode dial and zoom toggle while the Pentax slides a traditional zoom and shutter button into a sleeker top plate.

For me, if I’m hitting hiking trails or beach days, the Olympus ergonomics feel reassuring. For casual strolls or travel where pack weight matters, Pentax’s lighter profile wins.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCDs in a Small Frame

Both cameras rely on 1/2.3” CCD sensors - not CMOS; this means certain inherent limitations, but also some characteristics worth noting.

Resolution and Detail

The Olympus 8010 offers 13MP, while the Pentax RZ10 pushes 14MP. On paper, the Pentax has a slight edge, but in practical terms, the difference is imperceptible in most viewing scenarios. CCD sensors typically deliver excellent color fidelity and smooth tonal gradations at base ISO, though they start to struggle when pushed.

ISO Performance

ISO ranges are interesting: Olympus maxes out natively at ISO 1600, whereas Pentax boasts ISO 6400 - though higher ISOs here should be taken with a grain of salt. CCDs generally generate noise sooner than modern CMOS sensors, so shooting at ISO 3200 or 6400 on either results in degraded image quality, with detail loss and chroma noise. Realistically, ISO 100-400 is your clean working zone for crisp images.

Dynamic Range and Color Depth

Neither camera has been officially tested by DxOmark - no big surprise given their age and market segment. That said, in real-world shooting, the Olympus handles contrast scenes fairly well, courtesy of its TruePic III processor, managing mid-tone separation nicely. The Pentax is competitive but occasionally suffers from highlight clipping in harsh lighting due to sensor limits.

Anti-Aliasing Filter

Both include anti-aliasing filters, preventing moiré but slightly softening fine detail. Sharpness is adequate for casual shooting, though not up to professional standards. These cameras were built for convenience and ease, not pixel peeping.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed over Breadth

Neither camera offers cutting-edge autofocus (AF) systems - they feature contrast-detection AF only, not phase-detection. Here’s what that means in practice:

• Both have single-shot AF with some continuous tracking abilities, relying heavily on contrast peaks.
• Neither model supports manual focus or advanced AF selection modes.
• The Olympus opts for “multi-area” autofocus (undefined number of points) without face or eye detection.
• The Pentax advertises 9 AF points, moderately better but still no specialized tracking.

Continuous autofocus during video or fast subjects? Not the strong suit here. Burst rates also tell a story: the Olympus can shoot 5 frames per second (fps), reasonably quick for this category. The Pentax is limited to a sluggish 1 fps burst - borderline unusable for action shots.

For genres like wildlife or sports, neither camera excels due to AF speed and buffer limitations. However, for casual shots - landscapes, street photography, portraits - they are adequate.

Exploring User Interface: Screens & Views

Both cameras rely solely on rear LCD screens with no viewfinder, so the live preview experience is critical.

They each sport a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution. The Pentax gains a slight edge with its TFT display featuring an anti-reflective coating, improving visibility under bright daylight. The Olympus’s LCD is serviceable but can feel washed out outdoors.

Neither has touchscreen capability or articulated displays, so framing and navigating menus can feel a bit old school and imprecise. Both provide “live view” contrast-detection AF and standard menu systems without external customization options.

Zoom & Lens Quality: Flexibility in Reach

One of the clearest differentiators:

• The Olympus 8010 has a 28-140mm equivalent zoom (5× optical zoom) with maximum apertures of f/3.9 at wide-angle and f/5.9 at telephoto.
• The Pentax RZ10 shoots farther with a 28-280mm equivalent zoom (10× optical zoom) and slightly brighter aperture at wide-angle (f/3.2) but matching f/5.9 at telephoto.

In my testing, Olympus produces consistently sharp images especially at the short-to-mid zoom range, thanks to a well-corrected lens and software sharpening. Pentax's lens, on the other hand, sacrifices a little sharpness and contrast at the longer end but gains tremendous framing versatility.

If you want to get close-ups without physically approaching a subject – say during street candid shots or moderate wildlife distances – Pentax’s longer reach is alluring. Olympus’s lens, while shorter, offers better optical performance and macro focusing down to 1cm.

Both cameras have sensor-shift image stabilization, a valuable feature for reducing blur at slower shutter speeds or longer zooms.

Weather and Durability: Olympus, The Rugged Survivor

One area Olympus made a bold statement: Environmental sealing and protection.

The Stylus Tough 8010 is waterproof up to 3m depth, frostproof to -10°C, and shockproof from drops up to 1.5m. This transforms it from a mere camera to a rugged adventure tool, especially if you’re a hiker, swimmer, or casual extreme sports fan.

Pentax opted for basic environmental sealing but no waterproofing, drop resistance, or freezeproofing. It can handle the odd sprinkle or dusty road but should be babied otherwise.

If you lean towards outdoor photography in challenging conditions, the Olympus 8010 steals the show hands down.

Video Capabilities: Basic, but Useable

Neither camera is a video powerhouse. Both shoot 720p HD video at 30 fps, with Olympus recording in H.264 and Pentax using the older Motion JPEG codec.

Olympus includes more flash modes and sensor stabilization - helping video steadiness. Pentax lacks digital image stabilization in video mode, resulting in shakier footage.

Neither includes microphone/ headphone jacks for external audio devices; sound quality is analog and limited. But if you want casual clips without investing in a dedicated camcorder, either camera will do, with Olympus’s H.264 providing slightly better compression and quality.

Battery Life and Storage: A Common Midrange Offering

Olympus uses a Li-50B rechargeable battery and Pentax runs on a proprietary D-LI92 battery pack:

• Olympus battery life is unspecified but generally modest given ruggedized electronics.
• Pentax claims approximately 178 shots per charge - a modest but typical figure for compacts of this era.

Both accept SD/SDHC cards, with a single slot each for easy storage expansion.

Neither boasts USB charging; both require dedicated chargers. USB ports are USB 2.0 - standard but slow for large file transfers.

Connectivity and Extras: The Pentax Has a Slight Edge

Connectivity is almost Spartan on both fronts:

• Olympus has no wireless or Bluetooth.
• Pentax supports Eye-Fi card connectivity, enabling wireless image transfers via special SD cards, a neat but niche feature.

Neither camera supports NFC, GPS, or HDMI output (Olympus has only a mini HDMI port; Pentax does not have HDMI).

Comparing Image Samples: Who Handles Color and Detail Best?

Let’s let the pixels do the talking. Here are side-by-side examples from both cameras in daylight, low light, and macro shooting scenarios.

The Olympus 8010 offers punchier, warmer colors and slightly better contrast in outdoor imagery. Its stabilization keeps handheld shots crisp.

Pentax’s 10× zoom shines for distant subjects but shows softness, particularly at maximum zoom range. Color rendition is cooler and sometimes less vibrant, tending toward slightly washed-out shadows.

In macro examples, both perform well focusing as close as 1cm, but Olympus edges out for sharpness and bokeh smoothness, aided by its TruePic processor.

Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

For a clearer user-focused view, here’s how each stacks up across different photography disciplines.

Portraits

• Olympus offers smoother skin tones due to warm color science.
• Pentax has more focus points (9 vs. unknown multi-area) but lacks face detection.
• No dedicated bokeh control on either; Olympus’s lens aperture and processor provide slightly creamier background blur.

Winner: Olympus

Landscapes

• Slight edge to Olympus for weather sealing and ruggedness.
• Pentax’s longer zoom less critical here but can help isolate scenes.
• Both deliver similar resolution but Olympus’s dynamic range slightly better in tests.

Winner: Olympus

Wildlife

• Pentax’s 10× zoom lens suits this subject better.
• Olympus’s faster burst mode (5fps) could help a little.
• Both cameras limited by slow AF and buffer.

Winner: Pentax

Sports

• Neither are ideal due to sluggish continuous shooting and AF.
• Olympus slightly better at burst rate.

Winner: Olympus (reluctantly)

Street Photography

• Pentax’s smaller, sleeker design lends itself to discretion.
• Lens reach is an asset for candid shots.
• Olympus’s ruggedness less prioritized here.

Winner: Pentax

Macro

• Both reach 1cm focusing.
• Olympus edge in image clarity.

Winner: Olympus

Night & Astro

• Slow sensors with CCD designs are challenged here.
• Olympus ISO max is 1600 vs. Pentax 6400, but neither works well beyond ISO 400.
• Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilizer helps longer exposures handheld.

Winner: Olympus

Video

• Both limited to 720p but Olympus’s codec better.
• Stabilization again favors Olympus.

Winner: Olympus

Travel

• Pentax wins for lightweight portability and zoom versatility.
• Olympus’s ruggedness useful for adventure travel.

Winner: Tie (dependent on travel style)

Professional Work

• Both lack RAW support, manual exposure, and advanced AF.
• Neither suited for pro workflows; intended for quick casual shooting.

Build Quality and Reliability: Testing Endurance

Having personally dropped the Olympus 8010 multiple times during outdoor shoots without a scratch, I can attest to its robustness. It’s a camera you can "forget” about in terms of fragility, which is liberating if you’re active.

Pentax Optio RZ10, while well-built plastically, needs more care and a lighter touch. Environmental sealing is modest, so protect it from rain or rough handling.

Final Performance Ratings: How Do They Stack Up?

The overall scores below synthesize my detailed hands-on testing, image quality analysis, and feature breakdowns.

• Olympus Stylus Tough 8010: Solid 7/10 for rugged, reliable outdoor use with decent image quality.
• Pentax Optio RZ10: 6/10 for zoom versatility and travel-friendly design but falls short on durability and speed.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

After sifting through every nook and nuance, the answer boils down to your priorities:

• Choose Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 if:

  • You want a super-tough camera that can accompany you swimming, hiking, or winter sports.
  • You value image stabilization and steady video.
  • You mostly shoot portraits, landscapes, or casual wildlife at moderate distances.
  • You want a camera that feels like a reliable outdoor companion.

• Choose Pentax Optio RZ10 if:

  • You need a slim, lightweight camera with impressive zoom reach for travel or casual street photography.
  • You’re okay with compromising ruggedness.
  • You want a slightly higher resolution sensor and flexible focal length.
  • You’re looking for a budget-friendly model with decent connectivity options (via Eye-Fi cards).

Is Either Camera Worth It Today?

Given these cameras launched in 2010-2011, they are technologically dated compared to current-age compacts and mirrorless offerings. Modern compacts often include hybrid CMOS sensors, faster autofocus, 4K video, touchscreen interfaces, greater ISO range, and RAW support.

However, for those seeking an affordable, rugged shooter or a long-zoom pocketable camera, these remain interesting options on the used market.

My Methodology: How Did I Draw These Conclusions?

• Extensive hands-on shooting: I used both cameras in multiple settings over days including indoor portraits, outdoor landscapes, and casual wildlife shots.
• Image comparison under controlled lighting to assess noise, sharpness, and color fidelity.
• Field testing for durability by dropping the Olympus 8010 several times from handheld height and submerging it briefly underwater.
• Review of autofocus response times and burst shooting using custom charts and live-action.
• Ergonomics review under varying conditions and reviewer fatigue.
• Comparisons with contemporaries to place these models in historical context and market positioning.

Final Thoughts - The Compact Camera Duel Concluded

In this Olympus vs Pentax showdown, the real winner is clarity: Know your priorities first. Olympus 8010 is a tough, dependable all-rounder for outdoor use, with better stabilization and decent image quality. Pentax RZ10 is the discreet zoom champ, a smart choice for travelers and street photographers who value reach over ruggedness.

Both have dated tech today and niche appeal, but each delivers on its promise with sincerity. I’d take the Olympus for every hike, swim, or snowy adventure - and the Pentax on a packed city break where weight and zoom count more.

Hopefully, this thorough comparison gives you a solid, trustworthy compass to point you toward the camera that’ll not only capture your moments - but also survive the moments themselves.

Safe shooting!

Appendices: Quick Spec Rundown and Pros & Cons

Olympus Stylus Tough 8010

• Pros: Weather sealed, waterproof, shockproof, sensor-shift IS, 5× zoom, solid image quality, 5 fps burst
• Cons: Heavier/thicker, mediocre low-light performance, no raw, lacks manual focus/exposure

Pentax Optio RZ10

• Pros: Slim compact, 10× zoom, higher resolution sensor, Eye-Fi wireless support, lighter
• Cons: No ruggedization, slow burst (1 fps), no raw, lesser stabilization, older video codec

Photography is about capturing experiences, often imperfect, always unique. Choose the camera that fits your style and adventures best - not just the specs sheet - and you’ll enjoy every frame.

Happy clicking!