Olympus TG-860 vs Sony A68: A Thorough, Hands-On Comparison for Every Type of Photographer

Choosing the right camera can sometimes feel overwhelming - especially when two very different models target different user needs. Today, we’re going deep into a battle between two 2015 models: the ultracompact waterproof Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 and the entry-level DSLR Sony SLT-A68.

Both bring unique strengths to the table. The TG-860 is designed for rugged adventures and on-the-go snapshots, while the A68 is an enthusiast DSLR bridging everyday photography and creative flexibility. If you’ve got a growing passion for photography and are exploring your options, our detailed comparison will help you understand which camera suits your style, budget, and shooting preferences.

Let’s dive in to explore build, image quality, autofocus, video, and usability across real-world scenarios.

Built to Handle Different Journeys: Durability and Ergonomics

A camera should adapt to your lifestyle and shooting conditions without feeling cumbersome or fragile. The Olympus TG-860 targets outdoor lovers and travelers who want a durable, ultracompact camera they can toss in a backpack or pocket - ready for rain, dust, and drops.

Size and ergonomics side-by-side: The TG-860 fits neatly into a jacket pocket, while the Sony A68 demands extra real estate but offers a substantial grip.

Practical Takeaway:

• TG-860 excels for travel, hiking, and underwater shoots where carrying minimal gear and ruggedness matter.
• A68 is best for controlled shooting environments where you want heft and solid handling, with room for lens swaps.

The TG-860’s compact build means it lacks a viewfinder but features a tiltable 3” LCD helpful for shooting at odd angles outdoors. The Sony A68 includes a large electronic viewfinder (EVF) with excellent 100% coverage and 0.57x magnification, giving you DSLR-style precision framing and manual controls.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensor Versus Larger APS-C

Image quality hinges heavily on sensor size and processing power. The TG-860 incorporates a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor with 16MP resolution - common in compact cameras but physically small. This limits dynamic range and low-light performance but gives you a useful zoom range.

The Sony A68 sports a larger APS-C sensor (366.6mm² area, 24MP) with proven technology in enthusiast DSLRs, backed by the powerful BIONZ X image processor. This sensor size grants more control over depth of field, better low-light sensitivity, and finer detail capture.

Sensor areas visually compared: Sony APS-C dwarfs the tiny compact sensor in Olympus, which leads to tangible quality differences.

Breaking Down Image Specs:

Image Quality in Practice:

• TG-860 produces good images in bright daylight with respectable detail, but you’ll see noise rising quickly above ISO 800.
• A68 offers significantly better dynamic range and detail, especially noticeable in shadows and highlights, and excels in low light thanks to the larger sensor and high native ISO.

This difference is critical in applications demanding high image fidelity, like portraits, landscapes, and professional work. However, TG-860’s zoom and macro close focus (down to 1 cm) enable flexibility for travel and nature snaps.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems determine how well your camera locks onto subjects and tracks movement. The TG-860 uses a contrast-detection AF system with face detection. It supports continuous AF and can track subjects reasonably well at close to moderate distances.

The Sony A68, with its hybrid phase and contrast-detection AF system, features a whopping 79 focus points, including 15 cross-type points for precision. It boasts advanced features like selective AF point control, AF tracking, and eye detection, though no animal eye AF in this model.

Real-World AF Experiences:

• The TG-860 autofocus can struggle in low contrast or low light. Its 7 fps burst rate helps capture fleeting moments, but AF recalibration during bursts slows things down.
• The A68 handles moving subjects much better - critical for wildlife, sports, and street photography - with consistent sharpness and ability to lock focus on specific points.

Usability and Control Layout: How You Interact with Your Camera

Your shooting experience depends on control layout, screen quality, and menu system design.

Top view comparison: TG-860’s simple control layout designed for quick access on the go versus A68's DSLR-style buttons allowing customization and more control.

Back screens: TG-860 delivers a bright, tilt-friendly interface for underwater and awkward angle compositions. Sony’s screen is smaller but the EVF compensates.

What This Means to You:

• The TG-860 shines in casual deployments - dive spots, hikes, kids’ playtime - where simplicity and durability trump control complexity.
• The A68 caters to enthusiasts who want to fine-tune exposure, autofocus, and framing in diverse scenarios. Its EVF gives DSLR framing accuracy, and external flash capability supports creative lighting.

Photography Across Genres - Which Camera Does What Best?

Both cameras bring unique strengths for various photographic pursuits. Here’s a detailed breakdown.

Portrait Photography

TG-860: The small sensor and fixed zoom mean portraits lack distinctive background blur (bokeh), and skin tones can look flatter under challenging lighting. Face detection helps but is basic.

A68: The larger APS-C sensor paired with quality lenses lets you create creamy bokeh and pleasing skin tones. Eye detection AF, though not animal eye, helps lock onto faces precisely. The camera’s ability to shoot RAW allows extensive post-processing for portrait retouching.

Landscape Photography

TG-860: Practical for travel landscapes in good light. Waterproofing lets you shoot near water freely. Limited dynamic range and sensor size cap detail in shadows/highlights.

A68: Outstanding for landscapes due to high resolution and wide dynamic range. Interchangeable lenses let you choose super wide-angle options. Lack of weather sealing means you need care in adverse weather, but image quality is stellar.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

TG-860: The modest telephoto (105mm equiv.) and moderate burst rate limit action shooting. The rugged design is great for rough outdoor use, but autofocus is not ideal for fast-moving subjects.

A68: 8 fps burst and advanced AF tracking are excellent for sports and wildlife, especially paired with suitable telephoto lenses. The compact SLT mirror design enables continuous autofocus in live view.

Street Photography

TG-860: Lightweight, pocketable, and discreet - perfect for spontaneous street moments. Tilting screen aids shooting from waist-level or unusual angles.

A68: Larger and more conspicuous, less ideal for candid street photography but offers superior image quality and control.

Macro Photography

TG-860: Close focusing down to 1cm produces impressive macro shots without extra equipment.

A68: Requires macro lenses, but offers greater magnification and depth of field control, plus image stabilization when paired with suitable lenses.

Night and Astro Photography

TG-860: Limited high ISO and no RAW shooting reduce low light flexibility. The camera includes timelapse recording for creative light trails.

A68: Higher max ISO (25600), RAW files, and manual exposure modes give you serious astrophotography options when paired with fast lenses. No dedicated intervalometer but long exposures are supported.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer solid Full HD video recording. The A68’s microphone port is a plus for vloggers seeking improved audio. The TG-860’s waterproof housing lets you shoot underwater video comfortably without extra gear.

Travel Photography

The TG-860’s rugged, waterproof frame and compact size are tailor-made for travel photographers needing an all-in-one solution. Battery life is decent at 300 shots, Wi-Fi and GPS enable easy geo-tagging and quick sharing.

A68 is heavier and bulkier but provides versatility via a huge lens ecosystem and longer battery span, suited for planned travel shoots requiring different lenses and lighting setups.

Professional and Workflow Considerations

The Sony A68 supports RAW capture, manual controls, external flashes, and has a robust lens ecosystem (143 compatible lenses) including Sony’s well-regarded G-series and third-party options.

Olympus TG-860’s lack of RAW and fixed lens restrict professional use scenarios. It’s better positioned as a durable secondary or casual camera for professionals who bring heavy kits.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Being able to swap lenses is a major asset for the A68. Whether you want a fast f/1.8 prime for portraits or a super-telephoto for wildlife, the Sony ecosystem supports you.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

TG-860 wins for GPS geotagging and easy wireless photo transfer. The A68 requires Eye-Fi cards for Wi-Fi transfer unless tethered by USB.

Overall Scores and Genre Performance

Drawing from standardized field tests and real-world use, here is a synthesis:

Sample Images Showcasing Real-World Outputs

To better understand the visual differences, here are shots from both cameras under similar conditions:

Olympus TG 860 front Olympus TG 860 screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

• Olympus TG-860 images show decent saturation and color, but modest detail and noticeable noise in shadows.
• Sony A68 photos impress with dynamic range, sharpness, and smoother gradations - especially with RAW post-processing.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who Should Choose the Olympus TG-860?

You want a rugged, waterproof camera that is ready for active, adventurous lifestyles without fuss:

• Hikers, climbers, beach lovers, and casual travelers
• Those who want a pocketable, durable waterproof camera for snapshots and video
• Photography beginners or casual shooters not planning to edit RAW files
• Macro enthusiasts appreciating close focusing and stabilized handheld shots

Who Should Choose the Sony A68?

You’re expanding your photography skills and want versatility and high image quality:

• Photography enthusiasts and semi-professionals
• Portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and event photographers needing fast AF and interchangeable lenses
• Vloggers and videographers wanting external microphone input and flexible manual controls
• Users ready to invest in accessories and lenses for improved performance

Getting the Most Out of Your Gear

Regardless of choice, we strongly encourage:

• Hands-on testing to experience ergonomics and UI before buying
• Investing in quality memory cards and extra batteries for outings
• Exploring editing software to unlock creative potential (especially for A68 RAW files)
• Checking out relevant accessories (waterproof cases for Sony, extra chargers for Olympus)

Wrapping Up

Both the Olympus TG-860 and Sony A68 represent distinct philosophies and target audiences in camera design. The TG-860 is a rugged, travel-ready powerhouse in a compact shell, while the Sony A68 is a flexible, image-quality-driven DSLR alternative.

Understanding their strengths and limitations can guide you to the perfect fit for your photography journey. Whether you prioritize versatility and image quality or portability and toughness, both cameras can deliver memorable images when matched with your interests and shooting style.

We hope this detailed comparison helps you confidently take the next step in your photographic adventures. Don’t hesitate to get out there, experiment, and find the gear that inspires your creative vision!