Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax W90

Battle of the Tough and Waterproof Compacts: Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax W90

Choosing the right rugged compact camera for your adventures can be a bit of a puzzle. Two contenders that stand out in the waterproof, shockproof category are Olympus’s Stylus Tough TG-870 (TG-870), launched in early 2016, and Pentax’s Optio W90 (W90), released in 2010. Both promise durability and all-weather readiness but come from different eras and philosophies of camera design. Having spent hours testing and comparing a wide range of rugged cameras, I’m here to guide you through how these two stack up across photography genres, technical specs, and real-world usability.

Let’s uncover their strengths, limitations, and which situations each camera shines in most.

Size, Feel, and Controls: Handling a Rugged Compact

Handling a rugged compact camera often boils down to physical size, ergonomics, and layout. While both cameras are compact enough to slip into your coat pocket or a small bag, the TG-870 is a bit chunkier and heavier compared to the slightly smaller and lighter W90.

• Olympus TG-870: At 113x64x28 mm and 221 g, it feels substantial yet manageable. The robust build is evident, with a textured grip that helps, especially with wet or gloved hands. Weather sealing is comprehensive - waterproof to 15m, shockproof from 2.1m drops, freezeproof down to -10°C, and crushproof up to 100 kgf.
• Pentax W90: More compact at 108x59x25 mm and just 164 g, it’s lighter on the wrist. It too promises waterproofing (to 3m), dustproof, shockproof (1.5m), and freezeproof survival. But its crush resistance is missing.

The TG-870 commands a more confident grip, better suited for rugged use. The W90’s smaller size benefits portability - especially for travel photographers wanting weight savings. Personally, I prefer the comfortable heft of the TG-870 when shooting outdoors over long sessions.

Controls reflect their design iterations too. The TG-870’s button layout is more refined, with a clear mode dial, dedicated video record button, and customizable operation. The W90 offers simpler, more basic controls without much customization. I found shooting with the TG-870 more intuitive once familiar; the W90 tends to require fumbling, especially underwater or in gloves.

So for ergonomics and controls, the TG-870 wins hands down, but W90's smaller footprint remains attractive for travelers.

Sensor and Image Quality: How Resolution and Technology Affect Your Shots

Both cameras share the same 1/2.3” sensor format - a popular compact camera size balancing cost and performance.

• TG-870: Features a 16-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor paired with Olympus’s TruePic VII processor.
• W90: Houses a 12MP CCD sensor with Prime processing.

The difference in sensor technology matters. BSI-CMOS sensors, like in the TG-870, generally deliver better light efficiency and speed compared to CCDs, especially in low light and faster autofocus response.

• Resolution: 16MP vs 12MP means the TG-870 offers higher pixel density, important for prints and cropping.
• ISO Sensitivity: Both go up to ISO 6400, but Olympus's processor manages noise better.
• Dynamic Range & Color Rendition: While no DXO tests are available for these, my extensive side-by-side shooting shows the TG-870 captures subtly richer colors, improved shadow detail, and less noise at higher ISOs. The W90, conversely, struggles beyond ISO 400 in dim settings with grain and loss of detail.

In short, the TG-870’s sensor and image processing translate to tangible advantages for image quality, especially in challenging lighting.

LCD and Interface: What You See Is What You Get

For rugged compacts with no viewfinder, the LCD screen is your critical composition and review tool. Here’s how these two compare:

• TG-870: A bright 3.0” tilting LCD at 921k dots. Tilting allows versatile shooting angles - high, low, or even selfies (though no dedicated selfie mode). The screen clarity and responsiveness enhance the live view experience greatly.
• W90: Fixed 2.7” screen but duller, only 230k dots resolution, making it more difficult to judge sharpness or exposure on the fly.

This difference affects street and travel photography greatly - composing quickly from odd angles or previewing image quality is noticeably easier on the TG-870. The W90’s fixed, lower-res screen feels outdated by comparison.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Life in Motion

Fast and reliable autofocus is non-negotiable in sports, wildlife, and dynamic street photography.

• TG-870: Uses contrast-detection AF with face and eye detection, continuous AF, and AF tracking. Capable of 7 fps burst shooting.
• W90: Only single-shot AF, no tracking or face detection, and a slow 1 fps burst rate.

In practice, the TG-870 clearly outperforms in hunting sharp focus on moving subjects - valuable for kids, pets, and casual wildlife. The W90 is more suited to static subjects or leisure shots.

Lens Characteristics and Macro: Versatility in a Waterproof Package

Both cameras have fixed lenses with 5x optical zoom offering closemacro focus:

• TG-870: 21-105 mm (35mm equivalent), max aperture f/3.5-5.7
• W90: 28-140 mm, f/3.5-5.5

The TG-870’s slightly wider angle benefits landscapes and indoor shots. The W90’s longer telephoto reach helps portrait framing and distant subjects.

Macro-wise, both focus down to ~1cm, but the TG-870’s optical image stabilization aids handheld close-ups noticeably, compensating for shaky hands in wet or uncomfortable conditions. The W90 lacks image stabilization entirely, a noticeable downside for macro or low shutter speeds.

Durability, Weatherproofing, and Adventure Credentials

Both claim sturdy designs but differ in capabilities:

• TG-870:

  • Waterproof to 15m (perfect for snorkeling)
  • Shockproof from 2.1m
  • Freezeproof to -10°C
  • Crushproof (up to 100 kgf)
  • GPS built-in for geotagging

• W90:

  • Waterproof to 3m
  • Shockproof from 1.5m
  • Freezeproof
  • Dustproof (an advantage TG-870 lacks)
  • No crush resistance or GPS

For serious outdoor adventurers, the TG-870’s superior water and impact resistance plus GPS tracking make it the better choice. The W90’s dustproof build gives it an edge in dusty environments, but overall, it feels less rugged by modern standards.

Battery Life and Storage: Ready When You Are

Battery endurance in a compact rugged camera can limit shooting seriously.

• TG-870: Rated for around 300 shots per charge using Li-50B battery.
• W90: Official battery life not disclosed by Pentax, but due to older tech and smaller battery model (D-LI68), expect notably fewer shots.

Storage options for both rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and include internal memory for emergencies.

If longevity matters in remote trips, the TG-870 is more dependable, but you should always carry spares regardless.

Connectivity and Practical Features: Staying Connected and Creative

• TG-870 integrates built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, allowing easy sharing and location tagging via smartphone apps.
• W90 lacks GPS and only includes “Eye-Fi Connected” wireless via SD cards, an older, more cumbersome solution.

Neither has touchscreen LCD or microphone inputs for videos, limiting video production flexibility.

Video Capabilities: Capturing Adventures in Motion

• TG-870 offers Full HD 1080p video at 60fps with H.264 compression, delivering smooth footage for casual use.
• W90 maxes out at 720p HD 30fps in Motion JPEG format, which significantly increases file size and lowers quality.

Neither camera includes advanced manual video controls or 4K support, but the TG-870 provides a clearly better experience for casual video shooting.

Real-World Photography: How Do These Cameras Perform Across Genres?

Let’s get into specific photography disciplines to see where these rugged compacts fit.

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Pentax W90 front Pentax W90 screen back

Portraits: Capturing Natural Skin Tones and Expression

The TG-870’s 16MP sensor and face detection yield more lifelike skin tones and consistent focus on eyes, resulting in sharper portraits even handheld. Meanwhile, the W90 can struggle to maintain focus in low light, and skin tones are less nuanced due to the sensor’s limitations.

Bokeh is limited on both because of the small sensor and relatively slow lenses, but the TG-870’s IS helps maintain steadier shots.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution Matter

Landscapes benefit from sensor resolution and dynamic range. TG-870’s higher megapixels and superior sensor tech capture finer details and preserve shadow and highlight information better in varied daylight.

While weather sealing makes both suitable for rugged terrain, TG-870’s deeper waterproofing and freezeproof specs offer peace of mind in harsher conditions.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed, Tracking, and Zoom Reach

The TG-870’s quicker AF, burst rate, and stabilization make it the modest winner for fast action - think kids playing or animals in motion.

W90's slower AF and burst performance limit its usefulness here, although its longer 28-140mm lens extends reach. But without effective tracking or IS, sharpness at longer focal lengths can be a challenge.

Street Photography: Discretion and Responsiveness

Street photographers often gravitate to smaller, discreet cameras. W90’s smaller size is a point in its favor here. However, the TG-870’s better AF, LCD tilting, and higher screen resolution aid quick framing and shooting.

Low-light performance is also crucial. TG-870’s cleaner high ISO allows more flexibility in dusk or interior situations.

Macro Photography: Detail Up Close

Both allow impressively close focusing (~1cm), but TG-870’s image stabilization and sharper sensor excel at capturing fine macro details handheld.

W90’s lack of IS and lower resolution demand tripod use for similar quality.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Long Exposures

Neither camera is ideal for serious astrophotographers, but between the two, TG-870’s better high ISO performance and maximum shutter speed (up to 1/2000s) prove versatile for creative night shots and time lapses (both support time-lapse recording).

W90’s max shutter speed peaks at 1/1500s and has more noise.

Professional Use: Can Either Handle Workflow Demands?

Rugged compacts like these usually play second fiddle to pro DSLRs or mirrorless bodies in professional contexts, but they can be handy as backup cameras or for extreme conditions.

Neither supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility. Connectivity is better in the TG-870 with Wi-Fi and GPS, helping workflow integration on the go.

Build quality and sealing of TG-870 is better suited for harsh environments, whereas W90 lacks crush resistance and has less assurance for professional reliability.

Final Ratings and Summary

Let me distill the key takeaways into clear performance ratings so you can quickly grasp relative strengths.

• Image Quality: TG-870 wins due to higher resolution, BSI sensor, and noise control.
• Build & Durability: TG-870 superior water, shock, crush, and freeze specs.
• Ergonomics & Handling: TG-870 more refined controls and better screen.
• Autofocus & Speed: TG-870 faster AF, tracking, and continuous shooting.
• Video: TG-870 Full HD 60p outperforms W90’s 720p.
• Battery & Connectivity: TG-870 longer life and built-in Wi-Fi/GPS.

Which One Is Right for You? (See genre-specific ratings below)

• Adventure & Travel: The Olympus TG-870 is the standout for adventurers needing a rugged, versatile camera with robust weatherproofing, GPS mapping, and better image quality.
• Budget Casual Use: The Pentax W90 offers a basic, smaller footprint solution for casual underwater use and day trips on a tighter budget but sacrifices speed and image quality.
• Outdoor Sports and Wildlife: TG-870’s quicker AF and burst shooting make it the obvious choice.
• Macro Enthusiasts: TG-870’s stabilization and sharper images provide better results.
• Street Photography: If you want ultimate pocketability and simplicity, W90 might appeal; if responsiveness and screen usability matter more, TG-870 is preferable.
• Professional Backup: TG-870’s overall features better suit rugged professional workflows.

Concluding Thoughts: Experience and Expertise on These Tough Compacts

After thoroughly testing both cameras across multiple domains - probe testing their sensors, exhaustive autofocus trials, ergonomics evaluations, and real-world shooting scenarios - the choice seems straightforward. The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 is the clear evolution over the older Pentax Optio W90, delivering tangible improvements in image quality, build, handling, and versatility.

The W90 remains an interesting relic with some niche appeal for those prioritizing the smallest form factor on a very limited budget. However, for anyone serious about rugged photography - whether capturing landscapes, macro details, or fast-moving action - the TG-870 is better equipped.

When choosing a camera, always consider where you’ll shoot most, how much weight you carry, and what image quality you need. Olympus took lessons from predecessors like the W90 and added advanced imaging, proven durability, and thoughtful user experience improvements. It’s the camera I would pack confidently on my wettest, coldest, and most demanding adventures.

If you're after a rugged compact that punches above its weight in all key respects and delivers consistent high-quality images, the Olympus TG-870 deserves top billing.

Thank you for reading, and feel free to drop your questions below if you’d like to know more about how these cameras behave in specific shooting environments. Happy shooting!