Olympus TG-860 vs Panasonic FX700: A Hands-On Comparison of Budget Compact Cameras for the Real World

Choosing a compact camera these days is a bit like picking out sneakers - your choice needs to match your lifestyle, your style of shooting, and, let’s be honest, your wallet. Today, I’m bringing you an in-depth side-by-side between two intriguing cameras that, while not bleeding-edge flagships, punch above their weight in their own ways: the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700.

I’ve tested both extensively across genres including travel, portrait, landscape, wildlife, and street photography - as well as video - so you’re getting the full scoop from a guy who’s put thousands of shots through the shutter. I’ll walk you through the specs, real-world performance, and, crucially, the “why” behind what makes each camera tick. By the end, you’ll know which one is worth your hard-earned money, depending on how you shoot.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

The very first thing you notice comparing these two is how different they feel in your hands, starting with size and durability. The Olympus TG-860 packs its punch in a rugged ultracompact body designed for adventure seekers, while the Panasonic FX700 boasts a sleek, pocketable shape that appeals to everyday shooters.

Olympus TG-860

This little tough guy is waterproof (up to 15 meters), shockproof (from 2.1 m drops), freezeproof, and crushproof. It’s a camera meant to survive a day at the beach, a hike in the rain, or the occasional tumble. Weighting in at 224g and measuring 110 x 64 x 28 mm, it feels chunky in comparison but inspires confidence if you tend to be rough on gear.

The ergonomics are solid - deep thumb grips and well-placed buttons make it easy to handle even with gloves. The tilting 3-inch screen (460k dots) is a winner for tricky shooting angles, though there's no touchscreen to fiddle with. No viewfinder, but in a camera at this price and build philosophy, that’s a tradeoff you can live with.

Panasonic FX700

With a slimmer 104 x 56 x 25 mm frame and weighing just 176g, the FX700 screams “grab and go.” The design is compact and elegant, perfect for street, travel, or casual shooting where discretion matters. But, no waterproof or rugged features means you’ll need to treat it gently.

Control-wise, the FX700 offers a fixed 3-inch screen with a lower resolution of 230k dots - decent but not stellar under bright sunlight. Luckily, it is a touchscreen, which aids navigating menus and selecting focus points, adding a modern touch absent on the Olympus.

Controls on the FX700 include manual exposure modes (shutter & aperture priority, and full manual), a rarity among compact cameras of this vintage, and appreciated by enthusiasts wanting more creative control without lugging larger bodies. The Olympus, by contrast, is more of a point-and-shoot with limited manual options.

Bottom line:
If durability and a commanding grip are your priorities, the TG-860 wins the ergonomics fight hands-down. But for everyday carry, shooting stealthily, and having creative exposure controls at your fingertips, the FX700 makes a compelling case.

Sensor and Image Quality: Where the Magic Happens

Now, the guts: both cameras sport a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor - a common size in compacts - but the devil is in the details.

Olympus TG-860

A 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, paired with Olympus’s TruePic VII processor, aims to deliver vibrant, punchy images. The maximum native ISO tops at 6400, though practical usability caps near ISO 1600 to avoid excessive noise. The sensor area is 28.07 mm², which is fairly typical for this class.

The TG-860 carries an anti-aliasing filter which tends to soften fine details slightly in exchange for reducing moiré, a decent tradeoff unless you’re pixel peeping on large prints. The sensor resolution (4608 x 3456) is sufficient for 8x10 prints and moderate cropping flexibility.

Panasonic FX700

Sony’s 14-megapixel CMOS sensor here is similar in size (27.72 mm²) but features a slightly lower resolution (4320 x 3240). It benefits from the Venus Engine FHD processor known for efficient noise reduction and color fidelity.

Interestingly, the FX700’s base ISO is 80 (compared to TG-860’s 125), which can help mitigate noise in bright conditions, and its max ISO is also 6400. The lack of advanced noise handling means you’ll see noise creep in above ISO 800 though.

Real-World Image Quality

In bright outdoor use, both cameras produce pleasing, sharp photos with faithful colors. The TG-860 leans slightly toward cooler tones; Panasonic, warmer and punchier - personal preference will steer your choice here.

Resolution-wise, Olympus’s higher pixel count comes with a bit more resolving power, but not a gamechanger. Noise control between ISO 100-400 is close: both are usable; pushing beyond ISO 800 it’s a tighter race, with the FX700 showing more chroma noise and smoothed details.

Both cameras apply optical image stabilization - Olympus’s sometimes winning by a slim margin when shooting handheld in dimmer light.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Fixed lens cameras tend to struggle with background blur, and neither is no exception.

• Olympus maxes out at f/3.5 at wide and f/5.7 tele.
• Panasonic is slightly faster at f/2.2 wide angle, f/5.9 tele.

Thanks to that wider aperture at the short end, the FX700 can generate a marginally softer background on portraits shot wide, although the tiny sensor inherently results in deep depth of field and limited bokeh quality.

Autofocus in both relies on contrast detection - the TG-860 has face detection and can track faces fairly well; the FX700 lacks face detection entirely, which is a drawback for portrait work.

Autofocus and Speed Performance: Who’s Quicker on the Draw?

Tracking moving subjects is an area where cameras with more sophisticated AF systems shine, but these two compact point-and-shoots have their limitations.

• The Olympus TG-860 supports continuous autofocus and face detection with subject tracking, boasting up to 7 fps burst shooting.
• The Panasonic FX700 offers single-shot autofocus only, no tracking, but ups the burst rate to 10 fps (limited by AF being locked on first frame).

Both use contrast detection AF which tends to be slower and less precise in low light or with fast movement.

For sports, wildlife, or street photography requiring quick acquisition and tracking, the TG-860’s continuous AF and face tracking give it an edge despite a slightly lower burst rate.

Versatility in Use: Lenses, Shooting Modes, and Macro

Lens Specs and Coverage

That super-close 1 cm macro on the TG-860 is genuinely impressive, great for enthusiasts wanting tight crop insect or flower shots without dedicated macro lenses. The Panasonic is less specialized here, focusing on versatility in the 24-120mm range.

Exposure Control and Modes

Panasonic’s FX700 offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure controls - a rarity in the compact world, making it a more attractive option for those who want a foot in the door of creative exposure settings.

Olympus TG-860 sticks to program auto modes with some white balance customization but no manual exposure. It steers you toward simplicity and point-and-shoot convenience.

Display and Interface: How You See Your Shot Matters

Olympus’s 3-inch tilting screen, higher resolution (460k dots), but no touchscreen, suits those who like to shoot from odd angles but don’t need touch focusing.

Panasonic has a 3-inch fixed screen with half the resolution but adds touchscreen functionality - handy for navigating menus quickly and tapping focus points.

For video shooters especially, the touch interface can improve ergonomics, while the tilting screen of the TG-860 aids awkward framing.

Video Capabilities: Full HD with Solid Frame Rates

Both cameras offer full HD (1920x1080) video at 60 fps, a notable feature given their age and category.

• Panasonic FX700 uses AVCHD format, generally better for editing workflows and quality.
• Olympus TG-860 records in H.264, suitable for easy sharing and decent quality.

Neither supports 4K or advanced video features, but surprisingly the TG-860 includes time-lapse recording, a cool bonus for landscape or astro enthusiasts.

Both cameras lack external microphone jacks, so audio quality is limited to onboard microphones - typical for compacts.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for the Road

Olympus TG-860 boasts a rated 300 shots per charge using the Li-50B battery, which performed well in tests, comfortably covering a day of moderate shooting. The FX700 lacks published battery life specs but theoretically should manage a similar range.

Both cameras use a single SD card slot compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, easing workflow since memory cards are universal.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: The TG-860’s Adventure Edge

Where the TG-860 truly stands apart is in its built-in toughness certifications:

• Waterproof up to 15m
• Shockproof up to 2.1m drops
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Crushproof withstands up to 100kgf

This makes it an ideal companion for active lifestyles: snorkeling, skiing, hiking, or beach days without fear of damage.

Panasonic FX700 offers none of these protections. It’s a camera designed for controlled environments - cafes, indoor events, or travel in dry weather.

Real-Life Shooting Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s break down performance by photography genre, so you can picture which fits your needs.

Olympus TG 860 front Olympus TG 860 screen back Panasonic FX700 front Panasonic FX700 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic FX700 pulls ahead with manual exposure controls and slightly faster apertures at wide ends, enabling better background separation and creative control.
• The Olympus TG-860, with face detection and tracking, helps beginners get better focus on subjects but can’t match FX700’s creative flexibility.

Landscape Photography

• The Olympus’ ruggedness wins here - weatherproofing means no need to baby your camera outdoors.
• Both deliver similar image quality; TG’s superior macro focus allows for detailed closeups.
• Slightly higher resolution on Olympus favors large prints.

Wildlife Photography

• TG-860’s continuous AF and subject tracking offer clear advantages despite slow-focus contrast system; the rugged shell means it survives rough trips.
• FX700 lacks continuous AF; not ideal for fast subjects.

Sports Photography

• Neither is a champion here, but TG-860’s continuous AF and burst mode offer more chance to capture fast action shots.

Street Photography

• Lightweight, discreet, and touchscreen on the FX700 make it easier to snap quick street scenes.
• TG-860’s bulk and loud zoom motor could attract unintended attention.

Macro Photography

• TG-860 wins handily with a 1 cm macro focusing range and stabilization to help handheld close-ups.
• FX700 can get reasonably close but can’t reach the same intimacy.

Night and Astro Photography

• Neither excels in high ISO noise performance (both noisy above ISO 800).
• TG-860’s sturdiness and time-lapse modes give it a slight edge for nighttime landscape shots.

Video Work

• FX700 with AVCHD format and manual exposure mode is better suited for casual video projects.
• TG-860 adds time-lapse video but lacks manual specs.

Travel Photography

• The Olympus is robust and versatile for active travel but heavier.
• The Panasonic caters to minimalist travelers valuing compactness and creative control.

Professional Use

• Neither supports RAW, limiting post-production flexibility.
• Because of this, both are better as secondary or casual cameras rather than main professional units.

Connectivity and Extra Features

The TG-860 includes GPS and built-in wireless connectivity, allowing geotagging - a handy tool for travel bloggers or anyone who likes mapping their shots. The FX700 does not have any wireless options or GPS, which is understandable for its release year.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for image transfer, but no external mic or headphone jacks to monitor audio.

Price-to-Performance and Value Judgment

Given their specifications, today’s market sees the TG-860 as a rugged little workhorse ideal for adventurers and budget shooters needing durable fun with decent image quality.

The FX700 appeals more to enthusiasts wanting manual exposure control and a compact body but willing to trade off ruggedness.

Final Thoughts: Picking Your Champion

Here’s how I’d distill this comparison down:

Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 if you:

• Are an active, outdoorsy type who needs a reliable, tough camera that just keeps going regardless of conditions.
• Shoot macro or wildlife where close focus and continuous tracking matter.
• Want a straightforward camera that’s friendly to novices.
• Care about GPS logging and don’t mind sacrificing manual controls.
• Need good value around or under $200 for a used unit.

Opt for the Panasonic Lumix FX700 if you:

• Prioritize creative exposure control - aperture, shutter priority, manual modes - in a small compact.
• Want a camera that feels more like a traditional shooter for portraits and street photography.
• Value a touchscreen interface and fairly fast lens aperture at wide angle.
• Don’t need rugged features but want better video codec options.
• Are prepared to pay a premium for those extras.

Final Verdict: A Practical, Experience-Driven Take

Both are worthy cameras with distinct philosophies. The Olympus TG-860 is a rugged, adventurous companion that performs solidly across the board but lacks the manual control wings to let you grow creatively. The Panasonic FX700, while a bit less robust, arms you with manual exposure power and a more flexible video format, ideal for photo enthusiasts or cheapskates who want to stretch their creativity without investing in larger systems.

If you are the kind of photographer who prioritizes durability and simplicity, especially for travel or outdoor macro, go for the Olympus TG-860.

If you crave control, plan to do serious street or portrait work, and want touchscreen convenience, the Panasonic FX700 is still worth a look, especially at used prices.

In the end, it boils down to how you shoot and where you plan to take your camera. Both cameras have their clubs for thumbs and niches where they shine.

If you want me to summarize the pros and cons or suggest modern alternatives with bigger sensors and RAW support, let me know!

Happy shooting, and may your next camera be exactly the right fit for your creative journey.