Olympus TG-870 vs Olympus VR-340: Which Compact Suits Your Photography Style?

Choosing the right compact camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth - especially when both contenders come from the same brand. Olympus unveiled two intriguing ultracompact options in the 2010s: the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870, launched in early 2016 as an adventure-ready rugged shooter, and the Olympus VR-340, a 2012 compact marvel focusing on versatility with a giant zoom range. I've spent plenty of time with both in various scenarios, and given their spec sheets and hands-on performance, I'm here to unpack where each truly shines, where they stumble, and who should pick which.

Let’s start by sizing up these two Olympus cameras in hand and on specs:

Handling and Ergonomics: Clutching Comfort in Different Terrains

When I first held the TG-870 - a tiny but robust ultracompact measuring 113×64×28 mm and weighing in at 221 grams - it immediately felt like a rugged companion you could rely on during a trail hike or beach trip. The solid grip grooves and tactile buttons didn’t scream professionalism but gave you the sense you were ready for some rough-and-tumble photography. Contrast that with the VR-340, which is notably smaller and lighter at 96×57×19 mm and 125 grams, edging towards pocketable convenience but sacrificing some ergonomics in the process.

The fixed lens design means neither of these offer lens swaps, so handling leans heavily on body design, and here the TG-870’s tougher construction and rubberized grip convince me it’s friendlier for adventure photographers who want to shoot on the go without worrying much about wear and tear.

Flipping to controls, the TG-870 features a top-mounted dial and buttons that respond crisply and intuitively:

Meanwhile, the VR-340 sports a minimalist top layout with fewer dials and buttons - perfect for users seeking simplicity but perhaps frustrating for those wanting quick access to settings mid-shoot.

Bottom line: Ergonomics tilt in favor of the TG-870 for those valuing ruggedness and control, while VR-340 is better for minimalist portability.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter in Compact Cameras

Both cameras feature a 1/2.3" sensor - pretty standard fare for compacts - but there’s a crucial difference in sensor technology.

The TG-870 packs a 16 MP BSI-CMOS sensor, Olympus’s TruePic VII processor, and a native ISO range of 125–6400 (boosted up to 12,800). BSI (backside illuminated) architecture means better light gathering, translating to cleaner images in dimmer conditions - a critical edge in an ultracompact. On the contrary, the VR-340 uses a 16 MP CCD sensor with a native ISO capped at 3200 and no boosted ISO options.

In practical terms, the TG-870 produces crisper images with less noise above ISO 800. I tested both cameras shooting dim indoor portraits and evening landscapes, and while the VR-340’s images started to look muddy around ISO 400–800, the TG-870 held up much longer, retaining better color and dynamic range.

Resolution-wise, both produce 4608×3456 pixel JPEGs, but the TG-870’s sensor and processing pipeline deliver slightly better JPEG quality, with improved highlight recovery and color fidelity - something a bearable 1-stop advantage in high ISO performance can truly impact when shooting in challenging lighting.

Summary: If raw sensor prowess matters, the TG-870’s BSI-CMOS sensor trumps the VR-340’s aging CCD tech for cleaner, more detailed results.

Find Your Framing: Lens and Zoom Considerations

When you can’t swap lenses, focal length and aperture are king. The TG-870 sports a 21-105 mm (5× zoom equivalent) f/3.5–5.7 lens, suited for moderate zoom shots and decent wide-angle coverage. The VR-340, however, towers with a 24-240 mm (10× zoom equivalent) f/3.0–5.7 lens - a zoom beast for photographers craving reach without carrying heavy glass.

This means the VR-340’s zoom is more versatile for wildlife or travel shooting when carrying a DSLR is impractical. But remember, more zoom in such a compact can sometimes mean image quality compromises at max focal lengths - like softness and chromatic aberration creeping in.

In my wildlife outings, the VR-340’s long reach grabbed distant subjects, but focusing speed and accuracy were visibly lagging compared to the TG-870, which despite a shorter zoom range, proved snappier and more reliable locking focus on moving subjects. The TG-870’s optical image stabilization (sensor-shift type), combined with faster autofocus, creates an edge in action shooting despite lower zoom.

Meanwhile, for landscape photographers craving a wider angle, the TG-870’s wider 21mm equivalent is slightly better.

Screen and Live View Experience: Peering Through the LCD

Neither camera offers a viewfinder, so live view on the LCD is critical.

The TG-870 features a 3.0-inch tilting screen with 921k dots resolution, excellent for composing shots at awkward angles, aiding in macro and street photography alike.

The VR-340’s 3.0-inch display is a fixed TFT LCD with lower 460k dots resolution - serviceable, but noticeably less crisp. Its lack of a tilting mechanism limits framing versatility and usability under tough sunlight or creative angles.

Personally, that tilt on the TG-870 saved me plenty of times trying low perspectives during macro shots or side-street compositions.

Autofocus and Performance: Tracking Your Subjects

The TG-870’s contrast-detection AF includes face and eye detection, continuous AF, and even tracking capabilities - quite remarkable for a rugged ultracompact.

The VR-340, while supporting AF tracking and face detection, lacks continuous AF and live view AF. This manifests in slower, sometimes less reliable focus acquisition, especially on moving subjects.

Burst shooting frames per second also reflect this divide: 7 fps continuous with the TG-870 (solid for fast shooting), whereas the VR-340 doesn't specify continuous burst, implying a slower capability.

In practical wildlife and sports scenarios, TG-870’s AF system consistently proved more adept at locking onto subjects, focusing quickly, and maintaining sharpness during bursts. This advantage is crucial if shooting active scenes or kids within reasonable zoom range. The VR-340 can be a bit sluggish and prone to focus hunting.

Durability and Outdoor Use: Ruggedness versus Convenience

One of the most headline-grabbing selling points of the TG-870 is its environmental sealing. It boasts waterproofing (up to 15 meters), shockproofing (up to 2.1 meters), crushproofing (up to 100 kgf), and freezeproofing (down to −10°C).

In contrast, the VR-340 carries no weather sealing or rugged features.

In practical experience, I took the TG-870 on a coastal hike, misting rain swirling, muddy shoes trudging, with zero worry. No camera shaking or lens fogging whatsoever. I even dropped it a few times (fully intentional for testing, honest!) - not a scratch or function lost.

The VR-340, on the other hand, demands careful handling. Its ultra-lightweight frame feels more fragile and tends to show wear faster.

So for adventure, travel in unpredictable climes, or rough street shooting, the TG-870 is clearly the one.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Session Considerations

Both cameras run the Olympus LI-50B battery - a 3.7V, 1080 mAh lithium-ion pack.

The TG-870 rates approximately 300 shots per charge, which is respectable, especially with its power-hungry rugged features and 1080p60 video recording. The VR-340’s battery data is unlisted officially but generally lower due to its older technology and lacks power-hungry video.

On storage, both cameras use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, single slot - standard fare.

For a day of travel, the TG-870 demands carrying a spare battery if planning a marathon shooting session, but the flexibility it offers with shooting mechanics makes it worth the pack.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Hold Up Moving Pictures?

Neither Olympus model will dazzle the indie filmmaker, but they cover basic video needs adequately.

TG-870 shoots Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with H.264 compression, while the VR-340 maxes out at 720p 30 fps in Motion JPEG format - an older codec straining storage and processing.

No microphone input or headphone port on either; audio quality is basic smartphone-tier. No 4K photo or RAW video functions, dreaming of cinematic footage is futile.

Still, the TG-870’s smoother framerate and stabilization make it better suited for casual video capture in travel or active settings.

Connectivity and Extras: Getting Images From Camera to Cloud

Wireless connectivity is a stand-out difference: TG-870 offers built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, a boon for geo-tagging outdoor shots and easy remote control or transfer via smartphone apps.

The VR-340 only supports Eye-Fi card compatibility and no onboard wireless, making image transfer a more clunky affair.

In real-life usage, the TG-870’s wireless performance lets me offload photos on the go without lugging cables - a time saver and workflow enhancer.

Price and Value: What Do You Get for Your Money?

At the time of analysis, the TG-870 retails for roughly $280 USD, while the VR-340 runs around $130 USD.

The price gap reflects the technological divide - the TG-870 is a newer, feature-rich, weatherproof camera with superior sensor and autofocus, while the VR-340 is an affordable zoom-friendly compact designed for casual use.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

To distill the raw data and hands-on experience, here is an overall performance rating summary:

Further broken down by photography type:

Portrait Photography

• TG-870: Better color rendering, more accurate skin tones, eye detection AF. Limited bokeh due to small sensor, but tilt screen aids creative angles.
• VR-340: Decent for snapshots with face detection. Limited ISO and older sensor impact low-light results.

Landscape Photography

• TG-870: Wider lens, better dynamic range via CMOS, and weather sealing ideal for outdoor landscapes.
• VR-340: Zoom offers framing flexibility but limited sensor fidelity restrains image quality.

Wildlife Photography

• TG-870: Rapid AF, reliable tracking, but zoom capped at 105mm equivalent.
• VR-340: 240mm allows distant shooting but suffers slow AF and lower image quality.

Macro Photography

• TG-870: Macro focus down to 1 cm with optical stabilization and tilt screen facilitate close-ups.
• VR-340: No specified macro ability, fixed screen limits creativity.

Sports Photography

• TG-870: 7 fps burst, continuous AF - great for low-budget casual sports shooters.
• VR-340: Limited burst and slower AF reduce suitability.

Street Photography

• TG-870: Slightly larger but weatherproof and solid grip counterbalance size.
• VR-340: More discreet and lighter, ideal for silent quick shots in urban environments.

Night/Astro Photography

• TG-870: Better ISO ceiling, longer exposure support (4 seconds minimum), and image stabilization help.
• VR-340: ISO capped, limited slow shutter options.

Video

• TG-870: Full HD 60fps with optical stabilization.
• VR-340: 720p max, lower frame rates.

Travel Photography

• TG-870: Rugged, GPS, wireless - traveler’s trusted companion.
• VR-340: Lightweight and extremely compact, but less robust.

Professional Work

• Neither camera supports RAW output or advanced workflow features, limiting professional use, though TG-870 edges out on reliability and image quality.

Conclusions: Who Should Buy Which Olympus Compact?

If you want a tough, all-weather ultracompact camera that punches above its weight in autofocus, sensor technology, and video capability - and you’re willing to pay a bit more - the Olympus TG-870 is the clear winner. It's a perfect pick for adventure travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and casual wildlife or sports shooters prioritizing durability and decent zoom within a compact form.

On the flip side, the Olympus VR-340 appeals to budget-conscious users seeking an ultra-zoom compact camera for leisurely travel, street photography, or family snapshots where weight and reach trump ruggedness and advanced features. If your shooting often involves distant subjects in bright daylight with no camera abuse anticipated, the VR-340 remains a capable little workhorse.

Real-world Sample Images: A Snapshot of the Differences

Here are side-by-side sample shots from both cameras in daylight, low light, and macro settings:

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Olympus VR 340 front Olympus VR 340 screen back

Notice the TG-870’s clearer detail retention and more natural colors in the tricky lighting conditions - the VR-340 tends to wash out highlights and lose sharpness at longer zooms.

In summary, these two Olympus compacts deliver markedly different experiences despite some superficial similarities. The TG-870 advances many photogenic boundaries for a rugged camera ticking many boxes for today’s on-the-go, outdoorsy shooters. The VR-340 charms with simplicity and a zoom range that’s difficult to match in an affordable compact.

Ponder your priorities - zoom length, ruggedness, sensor performance, and budget - before committing. Either way, Olympus provides solid options that serve their niches well, standing as excellent examples of what compact cameras can still achieve in the smartphone era.

Happy shooting!