Comparing the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Olympus VG-110: Which Compact Camera Fits Your Creative Journey?

When it comes to compact cameras, Olympus offers intriguing options tailored to diverse uses - from rugged outdoor adventures to everyday snapshots. Today, we’re diving deep into two models that target different niches yet share that handy Olympus DNA: the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS and the Olympus VG-110. Both are entry-level compacts, but their design philosophies and capabilities set them worlds apart.

Drawing from extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis, this article compares these cameras across all critical aspects - from sensor performance and autofocus to ergonomics and practical shooting scenarios. Whether you're a new user hunting for your first durable compact or an enthusiast seeking portability with decent image quality, this review will help you find the right fit.

First Impressions: Handling, Design, and Build Quality

Olympus TG-850 iHS immediately stands out as a ruggedized travel-ready compact. Its reinforced body boasts waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof credentials - ideal for extreme outdoor usage such as hiking, snorkeling, or winter sports. Despite these features, it manages to maintain relatively lightweight ergonomics at 218 grams and dimensions of 110x64x28mm. Its rubberized grip and well-spaced buttons offer confidence when shooting in challenging conditions or with gloves on.

In contrast, the VG-110 is a classic ultraportable aimed at casual, everyday use. Weighing just 105 grams and measuring 92x54x20mm, it slips easily into a pocket or purse. However, this diminutive form factor comes at the cost of durability - there’s no environmental sealing, so it’s best kept away from moisture and rough handling.

Both cameras omit an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on LCD screens - which affects their appeal to more traditional photographers preferring eye-level shooting. We’ll explore screen usability later.

Control Layout and User Interface: Accessibility vs. Functionality

The TG-850 iHS impresses with a thoughtfully designed control scheme. It boasts a tilting 3-inch LCD with 460k-dot resolution - sharp and versatile for difficult angles or underwater framing. Its physical buttons are generously sized, tactile, and illuminated, supporting operation in dim environments. A dedicated zoom toggle and a mode dial complement quick adjustments without menu diving.

Conversely, the VG-110 offers a fixed 2.7-inch screen at 230k-dot resolution, which feels dated by today’s standards. Buttons are minimalistic and less responsive, reflecting its budget positioning. The lack of advanced controls means you rely heavily on auto modes and limited manual overrides, which could frustrate users seeking creative control.

In everyday use, the TG-850’s interface agility enhances usability for enthusiasts, while the VG-110’s simplicity might appeal to absolute beginners wanting a straightforward point-and-shoot experience.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Analysis and Impact

A critical difference lies under the hood - the sensors. The TG-850 uses a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor (1/2.3”, ~28 mm²), paired with the more modern TruePic VII processor, while the VG-110 sports a 12MP CCD sensor of the same size, coupled to the older TruePic III engine.

BSI-CMOS sensors like the TG-850’s generally offer better light sensitivity and noise control, crucial for low-light performance and high ISO usage. The CCD in the VG-110, once the standard for compacts, lags in those areas, leading to more noise and less dynamic range. The maximum ISO on the TG-850 extends to 6400, doubling the VG-110’s limit of 1600 - significantly affecting night or indoor shooting.

In our controlled lab tests, the TG-850 rendered cleaner images with finer detail preservation, especially evident when cropping and shooting in shadows. The VG-110’s noise became apparent beyond ISO 400. This translates practically: landscapes or portraits with rich tonal gradations and higher resolution come out superior on the TG-850.

Still, both cameras include an antialiasing filter, aiding image sharpness at the expense of slight detail smoothing - a common compact camera trait.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility for Your Subjects

Lens focal length and aperture directly influence photographic flexibility. The TG-850 sports a 21-105mm (35mm equivalent) zoom with a modest f/3.5-5.7 aperture range. Its 5x optical zoom lets you frame distant wildlife or architectural details without hopping closer. The macro focus range isn’t explicitly specified, limiting precision close-ups.

The VG-110 features a slightly narrower 27-108mm zoom but a wider f/2.9-6.5 aperture. Despite its smaller 4x zoom, the f/2.9 wide end can be beneficial for shallow depth of field and low-light shooting - although at longer focal lengths, the lens darkens considerably.

For macro photography, the VG-110 offers an impressive 1cm minimum focus distance, enabling closer subject framing than the TG-850, which is advantageous for detailed flower or insect shots.

If zoom reach and robustness are priorities, TG-850 edges ahead. If macro and wider apertures for shallow focus matter more, VG-110 has a slight advantage.

Autofocus Systems and Continuous Shooting: Keeping Pace With Your Action

Autofocus is the backbone of capturing sharp images across genres. The TG-850 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking, supporting single, continuous, and selective AF. It has decent speed for a compact, enabling reasonable focus tracking in casual sports and wildlife.

The VG-110 offers contrast-detection AF as well, but only single autofocus mode for stills and limited tracking capabilities. Its AF speed is slower compared to the TG-850, which can lead to missed moments in fast action.

The TG-850 can shoot up to 7 frames per second (fps) burst mode - impressive for its class - facilitating sports and wildlife sequences. The VG-110 doesn’t support continuous shooting, limiting you to one shot at a time, which can be constraining when subjects are moving.

In practical terms, if you’re into action or unpredictable subjects, the TG-850’s autofocus and burst capabilities are significant assets. For static subjects, VG-110 suffices.

Display Technology: Framing, Reviewing, and User Experience

The TG-850’s 3-inch tilting LCD with higher resolution is a clear benefit for composing in tricky angles, such as low garden-level shots or overhead landscape scenes. Its screen brightness and color accuracy make reviewing images easier outdoors.

The VG-110’s fixed 2.7-inch TFT screen is less responsive and more reflective in sunlight, diminishing usability outdoors. It doesn’t tilt or swivel, which restricts creativity in framing.

Neither camera has a touchscreen, so navigation relies on physical buttons, which again favors the TG-850’s more ergonomic design.

Video Capture: Specifications and Practical Use

Video functionality in compacts offers versatility beyond stills. The TG-850 records Full HD 1080p at 60 or 30 fps, delivering smooth footage for casual video or travel vlogging. It uses efficient H.264 compression and also supports 720p and VGA recording for lower resolution needs.

By contrast, the VG-110 maxes out at 640x480 (VGA) resolution at 30 fps, quite limited by modern standards. The older MPEG-4 codec offers lower quality and less editing flexibility.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone ports, so audio options are basic - more suited for casual capturing than professional work.

If video is an important creative outlet, the TG-850's superior resolution and frame rates will make a noticeable difference.

Durability and Environmental Resilience: Who Takes the Beating?

This is where the cameras diverge sharply:

• TG-850 iHS: Rated waterproof to 10m, dustproof, shockproof from 2.1m drops, crushproof up to 100kg, and freezeproof to -10°C. This ruggedness enables worry-free use during hiking, beach trips, or skiing.

• VG-110: No environmental sealing or rugged qualities. Fragile in demanding environments, best suited to indoor or mild outdoor conditions.

For adventure photographers or travelers wanting a camera that survives rough conditions, the TG-850 is a clear choice.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Duration and Practical Workflow

The TG-850 enjoys a rated battery life of 330 shots per charge, significantly better than the VG-110’s 170 shots. This means fewer battery swaps or recharges during day trips.

Both use proprietary battery packs (LI-50B for TG-850 and LI-70B for VG-110) and rely on a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. The TG-850 supports larger capacity cards, helpful for higher resolution photos and HD videos.

None support in-camera RAW capture, which limits post-processing flexibility - something to note if advanced editing is important to you.

Connectivity: Sharing and Wireless Features

In today’s connected world, wireless options are valuable:

• TG-850 includes Wi-Fi, allowing you to transfer images to smartphones or control the camera remotely using Olympus apps. This feature enhances convenience for social media sharing and remote shooting.

• VG-110 lacks any wireless connectivity, restricting you to USB file transfers.

Neither model features Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS tagging.

Putting It All Together: Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus TG 850 iHS front Olympus TG 850 iHS screen back Olympus VG 110 front Olympus VG 110 screen back

Real-world Image Samples

Testing these cameras side-by-side, the TG-850 delivers punchier colors, better dynamic range, and sharper details across various scenes - from textured landscapes to portrait skin tones. The VG-110 struggles in low light and exhibits lower detail but is competent in bright outdoor daylight.

The TG-850’s lens offers more framing options; the VG-110’s macro capabilities shine in capturing close-up flora, but details can be softer.

How Do They Perform Across Different Photography Genres?

• Portraits: TG-850 wins with better autofocus, face detection, and higher resolution leading to smoother skin tones and subtle bokeh. VG-110’s wider aperture at the wide end helps slightly in blurring backgrounds but is limited overall.

• Landscape: TG-850’s sensor and dynamic range provide richer scenes. VG-110 suffices for casual shooters.

• Wildlife: TG-850’s faster AF and 7 fps continuous shooting make it markedly better.

• Sports: TG-850’s burst rate and improved tracking offer superior performance.

• Street: VG-110’s smaller size offers discretion, but TG-850 remains manageable if ruggedness is your priority.

• Macro: VG-110’s closer minimum focus distance benefits macro shoots.

• Night/Astro: TG-850’s higher ISO capabilities give it the edge.

• Video: TG-850 is vastly superior.

• Travel: TG-850’s durability and better battery life make it ideal.

• Professional: Neither is suitable for heavy professional use due to sensor size and limited controls.

Overall, the TG-850 scores higher on nearly every critical metric except for pure pocketability and macro minimum focusing range where the VG-110 holds modest advantages.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS and the Olympus VG-110 depends on your priorities as a photographer:

Choose the Olympus TG-850 iHS if:

• You want a rugged, all-weather camera for outdoor adventures.
• You value better image quality, faster autofocus, and Full HD video.
• You need extended zoom range and better battery life.
• You want wireless sharing and more modern features.
• Your photography includes wildlife, sports, or travel in demanding conditions.

Choose the Olympus VG-110 if:

• You favor extreme portability and want a camera that fits unnoticed in a pocket.
• Your photography is casual, mostly in bright daylight with static subjects.
• Macro close-ups matter and you are on a strict budget.
• You’re content with basic video and slower operation.
• You want an easy-to-use entry-level compact without the need for advanced features.

Getting Started and Next Steps

With either camera, you’ll want to:

• Experiment with built-in shooting modes and stabilization.
• Invest in quality SD cards for smooth photo storage.
• For the TG-850, explore Olympus’ Wi-Fi app for remote shooting.
• For macro photography, consider additional clip-on lenses or lighting.

Both cameras can serve as excellent companions on your creative journey - whether braving the elements with the TG-850 or carrying light and nimble with the VG-110.

Summary Table: Quick-glance Specs Comparison

By understanding your photographic style, conditions, and creative goals, you can confidently select the camera best aligned with your needs. Both the Olympus TG-850 iHS and VG-110 reflect Olympus’ commitment to accessible imaging, each catering distinctively to adventure-ready and everyday photography, respectively.

We encourage you to get hands-on with these models if possible. Handling the camera, testing its controls, and shooting sample images will ultimately be the best way to find your perfect companion on the road to creating stunning visuals.

Happy shooting!