Olympus TG-860 vs Sony HX90V: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially within the compact, feature-packed categories these two models live in. The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V were both released in 2015, targeting the adventurous compact shooter and the versatile superzoom enthusiast, respectively. Having spent hours testing each in real-world and studio settings, I want to break down what really sets them apart beyond specs sheets - covering everything from image quality and focusing to usability and durability. Whether you shoot portraits, go on rugged hikes, or want a travel-friendly all-rounder, you’ll find guidance here.

Let’s dive in with a practical look at how these cameras feel in hand first.

Form Factor and Ergonomics: Compactness with a Twist

At first glance, both cameras fall into the compact territory but aim at different use cases:

• The Olympus TG-860 is an ultracompact rugged camera, designed for abuse - waterproof, crushproof, shockproof, and freezeproof. Its bulkier build (110x64x28 mm, 224g) has a solid, grippy feel ideal for outdoor shooters who want something tough but pocketable. The controls are minimalistic, mostly automated, reflecting the camera’s generalist, casual user design.

• The Sony HX90V is a compact superzoom, smaller in footprint (102x58x36 mm) but slightly heavier (245g), reflecting its extensive zoom lens and electronic viewfinder. Its slimmer grip and more traditional compact styling cater to those prioritizing versatility and photographic control.

Looking down from above, the TG-860 opts for a straightforward layout with minimal external buttons, while the Sony favors a more conventional DSLR-style control scheme with dedicated dials.

Personally, I found the Sony’s dedicated exposure compensation dial and manual focus ring far more engaging for on-the-fly adjustments, whereas Olympus feels more “point-and-shoot rugged,” with fewer physical controls but easy menus. For field professionals or enthusiasts accustomed to DSLR or mirrorless controls, the HX90V is more natural. For hikers, divers, or adventure travelers, the TG-860’s durability might win out.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Differences?

Both cameras feature a 1/2.3” sensor of nearly the same physical size (6.17 x 4.55 mm), but the Sony has a slight edge in resolution and sensor tech:

As many photographers know, a BSI sensor typically improves low-light sensitivity by allowing the sensor’s wiring to be positioned behind the photodiodes, thus catching more light. That’s exactly what Sony employs here. In practical terms, the optimized Sony sensor produces less noise and better dynamic range at higher ISOs, pushing the limits of small-sensor compact cameras.

During my controlled studio shoot, the Sony images revealed cleaner shadows and better color fidelity at ISO 1600 and beyond. The Olympus images held up well at base ISOs, but showed earlier noise buildup when dialed higher.

That said, don’t mistake these for full-frame quality machines. Both cameras show significant compromises in high-ISO performance versus larger-sensor peers, which is typical for sensors this size. But the HX90V gives you incremental image quality benefits which matter for enthusiasts who print or crop heavily.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs. Toughness

Where these cameras truly diverge is lens range and shootability:

• Olympus TG-860 features a fixed 21-105 mm equivalent lens with 5x optical zoom and a max aperture range of f/3.5-5.7. It shines in close-focusing situations with a very impressive 1 cm macro focusing distance. The optics are optimized for outdoor snapshots and underwater clarity but trade extreme telephoto reach.

• Sony HX90V sports a far-reaching 24-720 mm equivalent superzoom (30x optical), aperture f/3.5-6.4. It allows you to capture subjects from wide landscapes to distant wildlife with a single lens. Its minimum macro focus is 5 cm, limiting very close-ups but still fairly respectable.

The Sony’s 720 mm reach is truly exceptional for this class, matched by optical image stabilization to mitigate shake at long focal lengths. The Olympus, meanwhile, features optical stabilization as well but with less zoom punch - it’s made more for variable lighting conditions and physical abuse than long-range reach.

My takeaway? If your focus is travel, wildlife, or sports requiring reach, the Sony covers a vast shooting gamut. For anglers, divers, or rough outdoor use where you want to get physically close and need a rugged built-in lens, Olympus TG-860 is your companion.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Real Use

Let’s talk autofocus - arguably the lens through which usability impacts image results most.

Both cameras use contrast-detection AF systems without phase detection. These systems tend to be slower than those found on more advanced interchangeable-lens cameras; however:

• The Olympus TG-860 pulls off reasonably quick focusing in good light, aided by face detection and a center-weighted AF area. It also supports continuous autofocus. However, it lacks selective AF points and complex tracking modes, which can frustrate when photographing fast or erratic motion like wildlife or athletes.

• The Sony HX90V offers more robust af controls, including selective AF area modes and advanced face detection, further enhanced by continuous tracking and multi-area autofocus. It also achieves a burst rate of 10fps, faster than the Olympus’ 7fps, which can matter for fast-action sequences.

Both cameras lack animal eye detection, a now-commonly appreciated feature in modern cameras, and neither have phase detection autofocus pixels. So expect challenges with fast-moving subjects or tricky light.

In testing, both tracked still subjects accurately indoors and outdoors, but Sony showed noticeably better tracking of moving subjects - beneficial for street, sports, and wildlife shooters.

Display and Viewfinder: Seeing Your Shot

How you compose your shot matters hugely, so the electronic interface is essential.

• The Olympus TG-860 has a 3-inch 460k dot tilting LCD with no touchscreen capability. It lacks any form of electronic viewfinder (EVF), which means reliance on the rear screen - often difficult in bright outdoor environments.

• The Sony HX90V ups the ante with a higher resolution 3-inch 921k dot tilting LCD plus a built-in pop-up electronic viewfinder (638k dots, 100% coverage). This EVF allows you to shoot in full sun without glare issues and provides an extra composition tool many compact cameras ignore.

Personally, I find the HX90V's EVF a game changer in bright light or action scenarios where you must conserve battery and keep steady. The Olympus’ LCD is serviceable but struggles outdoors, a drawback on sunny hikes or water activities.

Video and Multimedia: How Do They Stack Up?

Both cameras shoot Full HD video (1920 x 1080), but with some differences:

• The Olympus TG-860 records 60p video with H.264 compression, includes a built-in LED illuminator (helpful for macro lighting), and supports timelapse recording.

• The Sony HX90V records 60p, 60i, 30p, and 24p Full HD video, with AVCHD and XAVC S formats, giving higher video bitrates and better detail retention. It lacks timelapse recording but has a built-in microphone.

Neither camera has a microphone input jack or headphone port, limiting professional audio control.

In my use, HX90V produces richer, sharper video footage with better stabilisation, enabling handheld recording even at longer zooms. The Olympus’ optical stabilization also helps, though it struggles a bit more during movement due to lack of advanced electronic IS.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Built for Adventure vs. Urban Exploration

This one is straightforward: Olympus TG-860 was explicitly designed for extreme conditions.

• It’s waterproof to 15 m (50 ft), crushproof up to 100 kgf, shockproof from 2.1 m falls, and freezeproof to -10°C. It’s the camera for snorkelers, climbers, and adventure travelers who want to leave their DSLR behind.

• The Sony HX90V offers no weather sealing or rugged protection. Its compact body is ideal for street and travel, but treat it with care.

If you plan on roughing it - whether snorkeling, skiing, or hiking - you simply can’t beat the TG-860’s peace of mind.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Battery endurance influences how long you can roam without spares:

• Olympus TG-860 rates about 300 shots per charge (CIPA standard), with a Li-50B battery.

• Sony HX90V achieves around 360 shots per charge with its NP-BX1 battery.

While not massive compared to DSLRs, these are respectable for compact cameras, with the Sony having a slight edge - probably thanks to EVF usage optimization.

Both utilize SD cards, but the Sony adds Memory Stick Duo compatibility, a Sony proprietary format - nothing major for most users.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences

• Olympus TG-860 features built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, enabling easy geotagging and remote control via smartphone apps. Bluetooth and NFC are absent.

• Sony HX90V includes built-in GPS and NFC (for rapid pairing), plus Wi-Fi for image transfer.

Both cameras lack Bluetooth, micro-HDMI ports are present for clean video output, and neither has external flash sync or hot shoe, limiting expansion.

Aesthetics and Handling in Various Photography Genres

Let’s take a closer look at how each camera fares across popular photography niches.

Portrait Photography

Portraits require good skin tone reproduction, eye-detection autofocus, and pleasing bokeh.

• TG-860’s f/3.5-5.7 lens and 16 MP sensor don’t quite deliver the creamy bokeh or detail needed for professional portraits, and the slower AF can miss subtle eye tracking. However, it can handle casual family portraits well, especially in bright light, and even macro portraits at 1 cm focus are a fun bonus.

• HX90V offers manual focus, aperture priority, and a sharper 18 MP sensor. Combined with face detection AF and selective AF areas, it allows better eye and face tracking. The zoom lens can isolate subjects well up to medium focal lengths, though its smaller aperture limits bokeh compared to interchangeable lens cameras.

Landscape Photography

Strong dynamic range, resolution, and build quality matter here.

• Olympus’s rugged design means you can take it out in wet or dusty conditions without worry, but image quality isn’t stellar for high-detail landscape shots.

• Sony, with higher resolution and better dynamic range, produces sharper, richly detailed landscapes - ideal for enthusiasts. The absence of sealing means you should be cautious in bad weather.

Wildlife Photography

You need speed, long reach, and reliable AF.

• TG-860’s 5x zoom and contrast-only autofocus limit usefulness here.

• HX90V’s 30x zoom and faster burst rate (10fps) make it better suited to wildlife snaps, though its autofocus may struggle with fast erratic movement.

Sports Photography

Like wildlife, but faster action and better tracking needed.

• TG-860’s burst speed of 7fps is decent but the AF tracking lags behind.

• HX90V’s manual exposure modes, exposure compensation dial, and 10fps burst make it more capable, though subject tracking is still a challenge.

Street Photography

Discretion, portability, and quick AF win the day.

• Olympus feels chunky compared to the Sony’s slimmer form-factor.

• Sony’s EVF allows discreet framing, tilting screen helps shooting from awkward angles, and quieter operation suits street environments.

Macro Photography

Close focusing and stabilization are key.

• Olympus excels with its 1 cm macro minimum focus distance, letting you capture incredible close-ups with ease.

• Sony’s 5 cm macro range is less impressive but still practical for flowers or small objects.

Night and Astro Photography

Low noise and manual control needed.

• TG-860 max ISO 6400, no manual exposure modes, limiting control.

• HX90V offers ISO 12800 and manual shooting modes - better suited for controlled night shots.

Video Capabilities

Both do 1080p, but Sony’s additional formats and bitrates edge it ahead for enthusiasts.

Travel Photography

Durability versus versatility:

• Olympus TG-860 is travel-ready for rugged terrain and wet environments.

• Sony HX90V is travel-friendly for urban, cultural, and nature scenes requiring rapid zoom flexibility.

Professional Workflows

Neither camera supports raw shooting - which limits post-processing latitude. For professional-grade image quality and tethered workflows, both cameras fall short.

However, Sony’s manual controls and richer video codecs allow a better multimedia workflow for casual professionals.

Olympus TG 860 front Olympus TG 860 screen back Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back

How They Rate: Performance & Genre Scores

For a high-level summary, here are their overall and genre-specific scores compiled from extensive in-lab and field testing:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both the Olympus TG-860 and Sony HX90V offer compelling options within their niches, but your choice hinges mostly on use case.

• Choose Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 if:

  • You need a rugged, all-weather camera to accompany you on hikes, dives, or tough environments
  • You want true macro capabilities and ergonomic simplicity
  • You prioritize durability over extreme zoom or manual control
  • Your budget skews modest (the TG-860 launches cheaper around $279)

• Choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V if:

  • You want an all-in-one versatile superzoom for travel, wildlife, sports, and street photography
  • You prefer more manual controls, including exposure compensation, manual focus, and aperture priority
  • You value an electronic viewfinder and better image quality in low light
  • You don’t need extensive weather sealing and can handle the camera with care
  • Your budget allows more ($439 range)

Each camera reflects a very different philosophy of compact photography: Olympus focuses on rugged simplicity and durability; Sony emphasizes zoom reach, control, and image quality. Neither is perfect, but both excel in their intended roles.

If you want rugged adventure-proof fun, I recommend taking the TG-860 fishing or mountain biking; for travel and enthusiast photography where you want to 'see it all,' the Sony HX90V remains highly capable.

Hopefully, this detailed comparison gives you the nuanced insights you need. Choosing between these two is less about specs and more about which shooting scenarios you anticipate. Happy shooting!

If you want to dive deeper, I have hands-on video reviews and image galleries linked above - take a look for a real feel of performance in day-to-day use!