Olympus TG-860 vs Sony T90: A Thorough Ultracompact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

In the world of ultracompact cameras, choosing the right tool for your photography needs can be a surprisingly intricate decision. Compact cameras often have to strike a delicate balance between portability and performance, while catering to diverse shooting styles - from casual travel snaps to specialized outdoor adventures. Today, we dive deep into a detailed comparison between two noteworthy cameras from different eras and distinct design philosophies: the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860, a rugged waterproof shooter introduced in 2015, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90, a versatile ultracompact from 2009 with a stylish glass touchscreen.

This article will look beyond just specifications, drawing upon years of hands-on testing experience, industry benchmarks, and practical shooting scenarios to unravel which camera might be the better choice for various photographic disciplines. We will traverse physical design, sensor technology, autofocus prowess, and more - culminating in clear recommendations tailored to different users.

A Tale of Two Ultracompacts: Form Meets Function

Before jumping into the pixels and apertures, it’s useful to zoom out and appreciate how these cameras position themselves physically and ergonomically. The Sony T90 is emblematic of a sleek, pocket-friendly design intended for everyday carry and urban photography, while the Olympus TG-860 veers into the adventurous with rugged weatherproofing and durability features aimed squarely at outdoor and action users.

At a glance, the Olympus TG-860’s thicker, chunky body hints at serious weather sealing and shock resistance, built to withstand drops, cold, and water immersion. In contrast, the Sony T90 sports a slim, minimalist aesthetic resembling a high-end compact from the late 2000s, favoring discrete presence over durability. These differences inevitably affect handling - the TG-860 offers a firmer grip with textured surfaces designed for gloved hands or wet conditions, whereas the T90 is better suited as a daily snapshot camera that slips comfortably into a jacket pocket.

If you’re the type who values robustness for beach, hiking, or ski trips, the TG-860’s physical resilience will be a decisive advantage. For street or travel photographers prioritizing inconspicuousness and style, the T90’s understated lightness and tidy footprint have their own appeal.

The Heads and Tails of Controls and Interface

Beyond raw dimensions, how a camera feels in your hands during active use is crucial. The control layout, screen, and interfaces directly influence shooting speed and satisfaction - especially in spontaneous or challenging conditions.

The Olympus TG-860’s control scheme is relatively straightforward and intentionally rugged. It lacks advanced manual exposure controls, which is common for tough compacts, but offers a reliable tilting 3-inch LCD with decent resolution. The absence of a touchscreen feels a bit old-fashioned but not entirely limiting once you familiarize yourself with the tactile buttons.

On the flip side, the Sony T90 brings a capacitive touchscreen interface - still a novelty at its launch - offering intuitive menu navigation and tap-to-focus functionality. The touchscreen, however, is a fixed 3-inch panel with significantly lower resolution compared to the TG-860, leading to slightly less crisp monitoring. The lack of dedicated dials or physical command wheels means slower access to settings, but this feels offset by the responsive touch controls for casual shooting.

In both cases, neither includes an electronic viewfinder, relying fully on their LCDs, which makes compositional discipline and glare management vital outdoors.

Sensor and Image Quality: CMOS vs CCD in Ultracompacts

A pertinent question for any camera comparison is the sensor technology and resulting image quality. Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch sensor - the de facto standard for ultracompacts - but diverge on sensor type and resolution.

The Olympus TG-860 sports a 16MP CMOS sensor, which benefits from newer sensor architecture enabling faster readouts, better dynamic range, and reduced noise at higher ISOs. The TruePic VII image processor further helps with noise reduction and color reproduction accuracy.

The Sony T90 employs a 12MP CCD sensor, a technology popular in its time that is known for delivering good color fidelity and fine detail at base ISO but generally struggles more at higher ISO levels and with read noise.

Practically, in well-lit conditions, both cameras produce roughly comparable sharpness and color, although the TG-860 edges ahead with crisper images and more saturated colors - likely due to its combination of higher resolution and modern processing. When light levels fall, the Olympus maintains usable image quality up to ISO 6400, albeit with increasing grain, whereas the Sony quickly exhibits noise degradation beyond ISO 800, restricting low-light versatility.

Cropping and printing large may reveal noise more obviously in the Sony images, but for casual web use or small prints, both deliver satisfying results.

The Live View Experience and Rear Screen

The rear LCD is your window to framing and reviewing shots, so resolution and usability matter immensely for precision and confidence.

The Olympus TG-860’s 3-inch tilting LCD at 460k dots is bright, adequately sharp, and flexible enough to aid in shooting awkward angles, such as macro close-ups or overhead landscapes. This flexibility is important when composing in harsh sunlight or cramped situations.

The Sony T90, meanwhile, opts for a fixed 3-inch touchscreen but at a relatively low resolution of 230k dots, making image review and menu navigation visually less detailed. The touchscreen makes it somewhat interactive, but the lack of tilt means adjusting composition in bright outdoor environments can be frustrating due to reflections and fixed viewing angles.

In sum, the TG-860’s screen wins on pure viewing comfort and compositional versatility, an advantage for serious use in the field.

Autofocus Systems: Real-World Responsiveness and Precision

Autofocus performance shapes your ability to capture sharp images, especially in fast-moving or unpredictable scenarios - from wildlife to candid portraits.

The Olympus TG-860 uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and continuous autofocus modes, while the Sony T90 also relies on contrast-detection but lacks face detection and continuous AF, offering single AF with nine selectable focus points.

In side-by-side testing, the TG-860’s AF locks more reliably in varied lighting and subject motion scenarios. Its face detection intelligently prioritizes human subjects, a boon for casual portraits and family outings. The continuous AF mode supports burst shooting effectively, allowing you to capture sequences of events with better focus tracking.

The Sony T90’s single AF mode is slower to lock and offers no tracking, making it less suited for action or moving subjects. However, its manual focus option provides creative control, handy for close-up or macro work where autofocus occasionally falters.

While neither camera can compete with advanced mirrorless or DSLR systems, the Olympus TG-860 holds the upper hand for fast and flexible autofocus in the ultracompact segment.

Lens and Zoom: Reach and Macro Capabilities

Both cameras utilize fixed lenses representing their intended shooting priorities, but zoom range and close focus distance vary significantly.

• Olympus TG-860: 21-105mm equivalent (5x zoom), aperture F3.5-5.7, macro focusing down to 1cm
• Sony T90: 35-140mm equivalent (4x zoom), aperture F3.5-10.0, no dedicated macro range specified

The TG-860’s wider-angle start at 21mm sets it up nicely for landscapes and environmental portraits, while its 5x optical zoom is more versatile in capturing subjects from wide to moderate telephoto without compromising compactness.

Its standout macro capability - with a minimum focus distance of just 1cm - enables detailed close-ups of small subjects like flowers, insects, or textures, expanding creative possibilities in nature or product photography.

Conversely, the Sony T90’s narrower wide end at 35mm limits sweeping vistas but its longer telephoto reach to 140mm suits tighter framing for distant subjects or portraits. The narrower maximum aperture at tele zoom (F10) means dimmer images and less effective background separation. Lack of specific macro modes reduces its utility for up-close shooting.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp on the Move

Both cameras incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) to counteract handshake and enable slower shutter speeds without blur.

In practice, Olympus’s in-body OIS implementation performs slightly better owing to improved algorithms developed in the mid-2010s, giving photographers about 2–3 stops of shake compensation. This advantage is particularly noticeable in macro photography or low-light handheld shots, where steadiness is critical.

Sony’s stabilization, while effective at base ISO and moderate zoom, is sometimes more prone to residual blur at longer telephoto or shakier conditions, limiting sharpness for more demanding handheld work.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed: Action and Sports Photography Potential

While ultracompacts aren’t champions of rapid-fire sports photography, burst mode and shutter speed range can influence usability.

The Olympus TG-860 manages up to 7 frames per second (fps) in continuous shooting mode, an impressive feat for this class, coupled with minimum shutter speed of 4 seconds and max of 1/2000 sec.

The Sony T90 shoots at only 2fps, with shutter speed ranging from 1 second to 1/1600 sec, limiting fast action capture.

For users wanting to photograph pets, kids, or fleeting moments outdoors, the TG-860’s burst performance and faster shutter speed ceiling open more creative doors, enabling sharper images of moving subjects.

Video Capabilities: Full HD vs HD and Beyond

Most point-and-shoot users expect competent video, and here the cameras diverge notably.

• Olympus TG-860: Full HD 1080p video at 60p using H.264 codec
• Sony T90: HD 720p at 30fps in Motion JPEG format

The TG-860’s higher resolution and smoother frame rate render richer, more professional-looking videos, suitable for casual filmmakers or documenting adventures in crisp detail.

The Sony T90’s video is serviceable but less impressive, with lower resolution and dated MJPEG compression resulting in larger files and less efficient archival.

Notably, neither camera offers external microphone inputs or headphone jacks, limiting audio control for video enthusiasts.

Endurance and Power: Battery and Storage

For real-world shooting, battery life and storage flexibility often dictate usability during trips or extended sessions.

• Olympus TG-860 uses a rechargeable Li-50B battery rated at roughly 300 shots per charge, which is average for rugged compacts. Its single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot supports modern memory cards allowing ample storage and high capacity.
• Sony T90’s battery details are sparse but historically, similar Sony ultracompacts offered around 220 shots per charge using proprietary batteries, and stored images on Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards, which are now niche and less widespread.

The TG-860 clearly has the edge for longer outings enabled by better energy efficiency and universal storage compatibility.

Environmental Resilience: Ready for Rough and Tumble?

Here, the Olympus TG-860 demonstrates a clear mission statement by packing:

• Waterproof to 15 meters
• Shockproof from 2.1-meter drops
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Crushproof up to 100kgf

This level of sealing and mechanical protection means you can trust the TG-860 for hiking, skiing, snorkeling, or fieldwork without a care.

The Sony T90 lacks any formal weather sealing or ruggedization and thus requires much more careful handling, confined mostly to urban or studio environments.

The Price and Value Equation

Both cameras retail at similar price points around $260–$280, but their age difference and use cases are telling.

• The Olympus TG-860, introduced in 2015, brings modern sensor tech, rugged features, and versatile shooting modes at a reasonable cost.
• The Sony T90, from 2009, offers a stylish ultracompact option with touchscreen simplicity but shows its age in sensor performance and multimedia capacities.

For a buyer looking for longevity and outdoor functionality, the TG-860’s price is very compelling given its ruggedness and better all-around specs. Meanwhile, the T90 favors users prioritizing ultra-slim design and touchscreen controls, accepting performance trade-offs.

Sample Image Comparison: Olympus TG-860 vs Sony T90

Let’s examine real-world image samples taken under controlled daylight and low-light settings to see how each camera performs in practice.

Olympus TG 860 front Olympus TG 860 screen back Sony T90 front Sony T90 screen back

Notice how the TG-860 handles colors with slightly better punch and dynamic range, preserving highlights in bright skies and shadow detail. The Sony T90 images appear a little softer, with muted contrast and more noise creeping in under low light.

Macro images shot on the TG-860 reveal crisp detail at minimal focusing distances, making it stand out for close-up work. The T90 falls short on this front.

Overall and Genre-Specific Performance: Who Excels Where?

Now to crystallize our findings, here are the overall and genre-specific performance ratings assessed objectively across key photography disciplines:

Portraits: TG-860’s face detection autofocus and skin tone processing provide better out-of-the-box results. The T90 does well given its era but lacks face detect.

Landscapes: Wider angle lens and better dynamic range make the TG-860 a natural pick.

Wildlife: Burst shooting and continuous AF elevate the TG-860 for action shots; the T90 is outpaced here.

Sports: Same story - higher frame rate and AF tracking give TG-860 a clear win.

Street Photography: The T90’s slimness and touchscreen interface are advantages, promoting discreetness and quick focus.

Macro: TG-860’s 1cm macro range dramatically outperforms the T90.

Night/Astro: TG-860’s higher ISO ceiling and noise control work better in dark conditions.

Video: Full HD 60p on TG-860 trumps T90’s 720p 30fps.

Travel: TG-860’s ruggedness and battery life suit outdoor travel, while T90’s portability favors urban exploration.

Professional Use: Neither camera is a professional workhorse, but TG-860’s reliability and file quality put it closer to occasional pro usage.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• Choose the Olympus TG-860 if:

  • You need a rugged, waterproof camera for outdoor adventures and travel.
  • You prioritize image quality in variable lighting and want flexible macro shooting.
  • You value burst mode and continuous autofocus for capturing action.
  • You want modern video capabilities.
  • You prefer a durable, all-around ultracompact capable of handling tough environments.

• Choose the Sony T90 if:

  • You want a slim, stylish ultracompact for street or everyday snapshots.
  • Touchscreen operation and minimal physical controls appeal to you.
  • Your shooting is mostly casual with mostly static subjects and good lighting.
  • You don’t need rugged features, fast burst rates, or advanced autofocus.
  • You prefer a lightweight camera that fits effortlessly in your pocket.

Closing Thoughts from the Field

Having taken both the Olympus TG-860 and Sony T90 into the field extensively, I appreciate their unique strengths and serve distinct niches. The TG-860’s ruggedness and solid image pipeline make it a reliable companion for adventure photographers and enthusiasts who demand more than a simple point and shoot. The Sony T90, with its elegant design and touchscreen simplicity, still charms for low-key urban use where discretion and ease matter.

This dog is definitely a good boy - but it depends if you want a tough, all-weather sprinter or a slender, sleek alley-cat. Whichever you choose, understanding nuances here ensures you get a compact camera that genuinely fits your lifestyle and photographic ambitions.

If you want to dive even deeper, check out the detailed specs and shooting experience notes above. Your next ultracompact awaits!

Thank you for reading. Now, where’s my camera bag?