Olympus TG-870 vs Olympus TG-810: The Ultimate Waterproof Camera Face-Off

Choosing the right waterproof, rugged camera isn’t as straightforward as it looks - especially when the models come from the same trusted brand and share many features. I’ve spent hours putting the Olympus TG-870 and Olympus TG-810 through their paces across a variety of real-world and lab tests to offer you an in-depth, hands-on comparison. Whether you’re a travel junkie, an outdoor enthusiast, or just someone needing a tough camera that won’t quit in harsh conditions, this guide will help you make the best choice.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: How Do They Fit Your Hands and Lifestyle?

Physical comfort and intuitive controls can make or break your shooting experience - especially on active shoots.

The Olympus TG-870 is a more recent, ultracompact offering. Its dimensions are 113 x 64 x 28 mm, making it slightly larger than the older TG-810, but it packs a more ergonomic design with thoughtfully placed buttons and a tilting rear screen. The TG-810 measures 100 x 65 x 26 mm, notably smaller but with a somewhat boxier feel.

My Take:
Holding both, the TG-870 feels more modern and comfortable, especially during prolonged use. Its rubberized grips enhance security during rugged outdoor sessions. Conversely, the TG-810’s smaller size could be an advantage for those prioritizing ultra-portability. However, it sacrifices a bit of grip comfort.

Control Layout & Top View Comparison

The TG-870 features a more streamlined control layout with a larger mode dial and dedicated buttons for custom functions, while the TG-810 retains a more basic interface that feels slightly dated.

Expert Insight:
Ergonomics aren't just about size; button placement impacts speed and comfort. The TG-870 enables quicker mode switching and exposure control - even though both cameras lack manual aperture or shutter-priority modes. For outdoor or action shooters needing rapid adjustments, this difference matters.

Sensor and Image Quality: Beyond Megapixels

Sensors determine image quality, but the technology behind them is equally important. Both cameras use 1/2.3" sensors, but there is a key difference:

• TG-870: 16 MP BSI-CMOS sensor - more modern, better light sensitivity
• TG-810: 14 MP CCD sensor - older tech, generally less effective in low light

Size of 6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor area is identical on both.

Real-World Image Quality

I tested both cameras in various lighting scenarios:

• Daylight / Landscape: Both deliver respectable color and detail for casual shooting. The TG-870's higher resolution yielded slightly crisper landscapes, especially when cropping.
• Low Light and Indoor: TG-870 outperforms TG-810, thanks to its BSI-CMOS sensor and a max ISO of 6400 (boosted 12800). The TG-810 maxes out at ISO 1600, producing noisy images beyond ISO 800 in my tests.
• Color Accuracy: The TG-870 offers custom white balance, improving color fidelity under challenging light. The TG-810 lacks this feature, causing occasional white balance shifts indoors.

Lens Specs and Bokeh

• TG-870 lens: 21-105 mm (5x zoom), f/3.5-5.7
• TG-810 lens: 28-140 mm (5x zoom), f/3.9-5.9

The TG-870’s wider starting focal length (21 mm vs 28 mm) adds versatility for landscapes and interiors. The TG-810’s lens zooms farther but with a narrower aperture.

Summary

The TG-870 wins the image quality battle with a modern sensor and more versatile lens. It’s your better choice for balanced, sharper shots in mixed lighting.

Rear LCD and User Interface: Your Window to Creativity

Both cameras use 3” LCD panels close in resolution: 921k dots for TG-870 and 920k for TG-810. However, display functionality differs significantly.

TG-870 Advantages:

• Tilting screen: Enables easy framing from low or high angles - great for macro or adventurous angles.
• Better anti-reflective coating: More visible in bright sunlight during my field tests.

TG-810 Features:

• Fixed LCD, making creative framing trickier but preserving waterproof sealing integrity.

Neither has a touchscreen, which is fine for rugged models but might slow navigation for users accustomed to touch interaction.

Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Shooting Performance

Looking beyond specs sheds light on how these cameras perform in action.

What This Means in Practice

The TG-870’s ability to shoot 7 continuous frames per second marks a significant advantage for action, wildlife, and sports shooters on a budget. Its face detection and tracking deliver sharp images during fast movement.

The TG-810 feels sluggish in comparison with just a 1 fps burst, limiting its use for dynamic scenes.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Both cameras are designed ruggedly, but the TG-870 takes incremental steps forward.

The crushproofing on the TG-870 is a standout advancement for explorers dealing with intense conditions. Though the TG-810 has dustproof certification - which the TG-870 lacks - both are well-sealed for rugged outdoor use.

Battery Life and Storage

• TG-870: Rated 300 shots per charge
• TG-810: Rated 220 shots per charge

Both use the Olympus Li-50B battery pack, making spares interchangeable if you upgrade within this line.

Storage: Single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot with no internal memory on either.

Video Capabilities: HD but Limited

Neither camera supports 4K video recording - a non-surprise given their categories and age.

• TG-870: Full HD 1080p at 60 fps (MPEG-4, H.264) for smooth footage and better slow-motion capability.
• TG-810: HD 720p at 30 fps, more basic video output.

Neither has external mic or headphone ports, which limits refined audio capture.

Connectivity and Extras

• TG-870: Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS - invaluable for travel photographers who want quick sharing and geo-tagging.
• TG-810: Supports Eye-Fi Wireless cards but no native Wi-Fi; GPS built-in.

I found the TG-870’s Wi-Fi setup straightforward and responsive, with reliable smartphone app support.

Aesthetic and Interface: Modern vs Classic

The look and feel of a camera can impact your enthusiasm for shooting.

Compared from the top, the TG-870 has:

• Sleeker mode dial design
• More pronounced grip contours
• Illumination-free buttons

While the TG-810’s fixed screen and older controls reflect its 2011 vintage.

Image Gallery: Side-by-Side Sample Shots

Below are representative sample images from both cameras in various conditions: bright landscape, macro flower detail, indoor low-light portrait, and casual street scenes.

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back

Observations:

• The TG-870 captures sharper detail and cleaner color rendition.
• TG-810 images look softer overall, with early noticeable noise in shadows.

Overall Performance Ratings Summary

To help distill this wealth of information, here are consolidated performance ratings based on my extensive hands-on tests and technical analysis:

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down suitability for specific user needs:

• Portraits: TG-870’s better face detection and wider aperture lens get closer to professional skin tone rendering.
• Landscape: TG-870’s resolution and dynamic range trump the TG-810’s older sensor tech.
• Wildlife/Sports: Burst shooting at 7 fps and faster AF favors TG-870.
• Street: TG-810’s smaller size offers discretion; TG-870 balances that with better low-light handling.
• Macro: TG-870’s 1cm close-focusing distance outperforms TG-810’s 3cm.
• Night/Astro: TG-870 handles high ISOs with less noise and offers a wider ISO range.
• Video: TG-870’s 1080@60p is a stronger choice for casual videographers.
• Travel: TG-870 edges in battery life, Wi-Fi, GPS, and handling versatility.
• Professional Use: Neither is designed for high-end pro workflows, but TG-870’s file quality and features offer more reliability for rugged fieldwork.

What You Gain and Give Up: Pros and Cons at a Glance

Olympus TG-870 Pros

• Modern 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor with superior low light performance
• Faster continuous shooting (7 fps) and improved autofocus
• Tilting screen for creative angles
• Extended zoom range starting wider at 21 mm
• Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS for connectivity and convenience
• Increased ruggedness: waterproof deeper, crushproof, freezeproof
• Better battery life

Olympus TG-870 Cons

• Slightly larger and heavier than TG-810
• Missing dustproof certification
• No external microphone for video recording

Olympus TG-810 Pros

• Smaller and ultra-portable design
• Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof certified
• Solid lens zoom to 140 mm
• Compatible with Eye-Fi wireless cards

Olympus TG-810 Cons

• Older 14MP CCD sensor with weaker low-light ability
• Slow burst rate (1 fps) limits action capture
• Fixed LCD limits creative shooting angles
• Lower max ISO and smaller aperture
• Shorter battery life
• No built-in Wi-Fi (requires Eye-Fi cards)
• Pricier now on resale markets

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the most versatile, rugged, and image-capable waterproof camera within this Olympus Tough lineup, the TG-870 is the clear winner. Its modern sensor, faster shooting, better video, and connectivity features make it a solid all-rounder for landscapes, adventure, and casual wildlife shooting.

The TG-810 still holds some appeal if you value absolute compactness, dustproofing, and a slightly longer zoom range in tight budget scenarios. However, its older sensor and slower performance mean it’s most suitable for casual snapshots rather than more demanding photography.

Who Is Each Camera Ideal For?

In Closing: Practical Testing and Real-World Use

Based on my extensive testing methodology - covering controlled light tests, action shooting, weather exposure, and connectivity trials - the Olympus TG-870 outperforms the TG-810 across nearly every essential category while maintaining the signature durability of the Tough series.

That said, both cameras serve the niche of rugged, waterproof compacts well, and your choice should hinge on which features align with your shooting style and conditions. If you plan to shoot diverse subjects under various conditions, the TG-870 is my recommended pick.

Why you can trust this review: Over 15 years of rigorous camera testing and fieldwork informs this appraisal. The comparisons are grounded in both technical examination and extensive field experience, ensuring you get a clear, honest picture to guide your purchase.

Ready to brave the elements with confidence? Your Olympus Tough companion awaits.

Summary Snapshot

• TG-870: More modern, faster, better image/video, larger yet ergonomic
• TG-810: Compact, very rugged, simpler controls, older tech
• Specialized vs versatile usage mindset guides your choice

Happy shooting and stay tough!