Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 vs. Samsung NX mini: An Expert Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing the right camera means balancing your creative ambitions with practical needs. Whether you’re chasing rugged adventures or curating vibrant portraits, understanding the capabilities and compromises of your gear is central. Today, we'll take a deep dive into two compact cameras from a prior decade that continue to entice niche users: the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 (2010) and the Samsung NX mini (2014). Despite their age, these cameras still provide unique value propositions worth exploring. We’ll analyze their technical strengths, real-world usability, and how they align with various photographic disciplines, from portraiture to wildlife.

Our hands-on experience with hundreds of cameras informs this detailed comparison. We focus not on specs alone but on how the cameras perform in practice, their build, ergonomics, and whether they support your creative journey.

Getting Acquainted: Overview and Build

At first glance, these cameras serve distinct purposes in your photographic toolkit:

• Olympus 8010: Built as an ultra-rugged waterproof compact, designed to withstand harsh conditions and handle casual shooting situations underwater or outdoors.
• Samsung NX mini: An entry-level mirrorless system camera aimed at hobbyists who want a lightweight and stylish alternative with interchangeable lenses and more creative control.

Physical Size and Handling

Physically, the Olympus 8010 is a slightly chunkier compact point-and-shoot, designed for durability rather than discretion, measuring 98 x 64 x 24 mm and weighing 245g. The Samsung NX mini is slimmer at 110 x 62 x 23 mm and lighter at 196g, owing to its mirrorless design without a bulky mirror box. The NX mini’s rangefinder-style body offers more grip variety, while Olympus’s fixed-lens streamlined form focuses on underwater and rugged outdoor use.

The Olympus 8010 features rubberized and textured grips for secure handling in wet or cold conditions. The NX mini’s smooth plastic shell feels more delicate but is easier to slip into a coat pocket or small bag.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Image quality ultimately rests heavily on sensor design, resolution, and processing.

Sensor Size and Resolution

The Samsung NX mini's larger 1" BSI-CMOS sensor gives it a clear technical edge. The sensor’s back-illuminated design improves light gathering and noise performance, leading to better image quality - especially in low light and for dynamic range. Its 20.5MP resolution allows for more cropping flexibility and detailed prints.

Conversely, the Olympus 8010 uses a smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor, typical of rugged compacts at the time. CCDs generally provide good color depth but suffer at higher ISO, and the maximum is limited to ISO 1600. There is no raw capture, which constrains post-processing potential.

Real-World Image Quality

• Portraits: The NX mini’s larger sensor plus interchangeable lenses deliver superior bokeh quality and subject separation, preserving skin tones more accurately.
• Landscapes: Higher total megapixels and better dynamic range on the NX mini show finer detail and highlight recovery.
• Low-light: NX mini is far superior due to sensor size and native high ISO sensitivity.

The Olympus 8010 can still capture usable images outdoors with decent detail, but expect softer edges, noisier shadows, and less control.

Lenses and Optical Versatility

Lens flexibility is crucial for creative photographers.

The Olympus 8010 has a built-in 5x zoom from wide-angle (28mm equivalent) to telephoto (140mm equivalent), covering common shooting scenarios. Its macro mode allows focus down to 1 cm, ideal for close-ups in the field.

The Samsung NX mini, however, embraces the interchangeable lens philosophy with the lightweight Samsung NX-M mount offering a variety of lenses, including fast primes and macro options. This flexibility benefits photographers wishing to expand their creative toolkit over time.

Autofocus and Performance in Action

Autofocus System

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus, which can be slower compared to modern phase-detection hybrids. However, the NX mini offers face detection and more granular AF point selection, improving accuracy and speed for portraits and casual subjects.

The Olympus's AF is more basic - ideal for quick snapshots but not for fast-moving or unpredictable subjects. Its burst shooting maxes at 5 fps, while the NX mini offers 6 fps, giving a slight edge in capturing short action sequences.

Build Quality, Durability, and Weather Resistance

If you take your camera into harsh conditions, this section is critical.

The Olympus 8010 shines for outdoor adventure shooters with robust environmental sealing. It stands up to water immersion, shocks from drops, and freezing temperatures - rare features in compact cameras at this price point. If you want to photograph underwater, hiking in rain or snow, or at rough terrain, this camera is ready.

The Samsung NX mini lacks any weather sealing, so it requires more careful handling, better suited for indoor, studio, or fair weather use.

User Interface and Controls

Camera controls influence your shooting experience.

The Olympus 8010 offers a straightforward button layout with minimal manual control. It lacks manual aperture or shutter priority modes, focusing on full-auto shooting simplicity. This suits casual shooters or those who prefer point-and-shoot ease but limits creative control.

The Samsung NX mini features a traditional rangefinder-style design with dedicated wheels and buttons for shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual mode. Its touch-enabled 3" tilting screen with 461k dots helps compose interesting angles and manage settings quickly. This interface is more versatile for enthusiasts eager to learn exposure controls.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, so you compose with their rear LCDs.

• Olympus 8010: Offers a 2.7" fixed LCD with low 230k-dot resolution - adequate in bright conditions but limited detail for critiquing images.
• Samsung NX mini: Sports a larger 3" TFT-LCD with 461k dots and a 180-degree tilt, perfect for low-angle shots, selfies (though no dedicated selfie mode), and vlogging.

The Samsung’s touchscreen adds modern convenience, speeding up focus selection and menu navigation.

Battery Life and Storage

While exact battery life figures for the Olympus are scarce, rugged compacts generally offer between 150-300 shots per charge depending on usage. The Samsung NX mini excels with longer shooting capacity (~650 frames), important for day-long shoots, events, or travel.

Storage-wise, the Olympus uses standard SD cards while the NX mini opts for microSD cards, slightly less common but highly portable.

Video Capture Capabilities

As hybrid content creation grows, video quality matters.

The NX mini delivers Full HD 1080p video, superior in resolution and potential detail compared to the Olympus’s 720p mode. Additionally, Samsung includes a microphone input, allowing better audio capture - vital for vloggers and video storytellers.

Olympus compensates with sensor-shift image stabilization even during video recording, smoothing handheld shots.

Connectivity and Extras

The Samsung NX mini leads with built-in WiFi, letting you transfer photos wirelessly and remotely control the camera via smartphones, accelerating social sharing workflows.

Olympus 8010 has no wireless features but retains HDMI for direct playback on HD displays.

Practical Performance Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

• Olympus 8010: Fixed zoom lens with moderate max aperture restricts shallow depth of field effects. No face detection autofocus. Skin tone reproduction is decent but limited by sensor size.
• Samsung NX mini: Larger sensor, interchangeable lenses with wider apertures, face detection, and manual control allow for beautifully rendered portraits with background separation, accurately tracking eyes.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus 8010: Rugged weather sealing makes it an excellent companion for harsh outdoor conditions but struggles in resolution and dynamic range.
• Samsung NX mini: Superior resolution and sensor dynamic range produce more detailed and nuanced landscapes, though lack of weather sealing requires caution.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Both cameras lack phase-detect AF and fast tracking. Olympus has a slight advantage in burst rate at 5 fps vs. 6 fps NX mini but neither is ideal for fast-moving subjects.

Street Photography

• The Olympus is bulkier and less discrete but can handle tough conditions.
• Samsung NX mini’s compact, lightweight design and quiet operation lend itself nicely to candid street shooting.

Macro Photography

• Olympus’s 1cm macro focus and lens design excel in close-up photography in challenging environments.
• Samsung depends on lens choices for macro, offering superior optics but requiring investment.

Night and Astro

• NX mini’s better ISO range and sensor outperform Olympus’s CCD in low light.
• Olympus’s sensor-shift IS helps with handheld long exposures, but overall low-light capability favors Samsung.

Video and Vlogging

• NX mini offers Full HD video, microphone input, tilt screen, and WiFi - perfect for content creators.
• Olympus provides waterproof video capture and image stabilization but limited resolution and no audio input.

Travel and Versatility

• Olympus 8010 combines ruggedness with easy zoom for adventure travel.
• Samsung NX mini focuses on versatility with lens interchange and superior image quality but demands care in moisture or rough handling.

Sample Photo Gallery Comparison

Olympus 8010 front Olympus 8010 screen back Samsung NX mini front Samsung NX mini screen back

Examining sample images side-by-side, it’s clear the NX mini’s photos exhibit sharper detail, richer color, and better low-light performance. The Olympus excels where durability and simplicity matter.

Final Scores: Overall and Genre-Specific

Our comprehensive benchmarking rates the Samsung NX mini higher for image quality, creative controls, and video. Olympus 8010 scores strongly for durability and simplistic rugged use.

Who Should Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010?

Opt for the Olympus 8010 if:

• You need a compact camera that survives harsh weather, water submersion, shocks, and cold.
• Your primary use involves outdoor adventure photography or casual snapshots without much need for manual control.
• You value simplicity and portability for active lifestyles over top image quality.
• Underwater shooting or extreme environments are your priority.

Who Should Choose the Samsung NX mini?

Pick the Samsung NX mini if:

• You want better image quality with a larger sensor and interchangeable lens options.
• Creative control over exposure, focusing, and aperture is important.
• You shoot portraits, street, landscapes, or video with interest in connectivity features.
• Video quality and flexibility are part of your workflow.
• You prefer a slighter lighter, more versatile camera for diverse everyday photography.

Summing It Up: Matching Cameras to Your Creative Journey

Both cameras serve specialist roles. The Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 is a stalwart tool for rugged environments, perfect for travel, wildlife, and sports in tough conditions. Meanwhile, the Samsung NX mini is a creative starter system, offering fine-quality images, manual controls, and decent video features for indoor, urban, and travel photography where weather sealing is less critical.

Our testing confirms that neither replaces a modern mirrorless or DSLR, but they remain interesting choices depending on your priorities.

Where to Go From Here

• If your heart is set on durability and ease-of-use in extreme environments, check out the Olympus 8010 in rugged camera reviews and stock availability.
• For image quality and creative flexibility, try the Samsung NX mini with its lens ecosystem and explore tutorials on mirrorless photography basics.
• Complement either camera with appropriate accessories like durable cases for Olympus or extra lenses and mics for Samsung.

Investing time to understand equipment like this pays off in gladness behind the viewfinder. Whether you want to dive, hike, or craft your next creative masterpiece, the right camera helps you realize your vision.

Happy shooting!