Olympus TG-870 vs Samsung HZ10W

Choosing a durable, handy compact camera can be surprisingly difficult given how much variety floods the market, even in pocket-sized models. Today, I want to take you through a thorough comparison of two ruggedized compacts that came from quite different eras but still find common ground: the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 and the Samsung HZ10W. Both have their quirks and charms, geared toward travelers, adventure seekers, or anyone looking for an all-in-one point-and-shoot without the bulk. I’ve logged extensive hands-on time with both to bring you a grounded look at how they stack up across photography disciplines, and whether either might still be the answer to your compact camera needs in 2024.

How Big and Handy Are They for Real Life Use?

When it comes to carry-everywhere cameras, size and ergonomics matter hugely. You want something that fits your lifestyle - easy to pocket, comfortable in hand, and intuitive to operate when you need it fast. The Olympus TG-870 and Samsung HZ10W differ noticeably here.

The TG-870 measures 113 x 64 x 28 mm and weighs a lightweight 221g with battery, making it slightly larger but more svelte in depth compared to the HZ10W, which is 105 x 61 x 37 mm and 249g. That extra thickness on the Samsung translates to a chunkier grip, which isn’t always a bad thing if you prefer something sturdy to hold for extended shooting. However, Olympus focused on making the TG-870 tough and well-sealed - more on that later - while keeping it easy to pack.

Both cameras are ultracompacts to compacts rather than DSLR-sized, but the TG-870 feels more modern and well-shaped with textured grip pads and a solid, weatherproof body. The Samsung feels a bit more plasticky, typical for 2009 designs. For everyday handheld shooting - think hiking, street quick-snaps, or holiday candids - the TG-870’s slimmer profile and refined controls helped me shoot comfortably over longer sessions without hand fatigue.

Top Deck and Control Layout: Intuitive vs. Basic

Ergonomics aren’t just physical size; how you control the camera drastically affects your shooting experience.

On the top plate, the TG-870 offers a neat layout with well-sized dials and buttons: a zoom rocker, dedicated video button, exposure mode selector (simple, but there), and a power switch with good tactile feedback. It even sports a built-in GPS system - a boon for geo-tagging on travel shoots.

The Samsung, by contrast, is minimalistic. There’s just a shutter button ringed by zoom and a power switch. No dedicated video button or easy access to frequently used exposure settings, largely reflecting its 2009 vintage and simpler user interface. Moreover, it lacks any customizable controls or even manual focus rings.

If you want quick, intuitive access to creative controls on the fly, TG-870 wins hands down. The Samsung is more point-and-shoot, which might suit complete beginners or those who prioritize simplicity above all else, but you’ll find yourself wishing for more.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensors in the Spotlight

Digging beneath the hood, these cameras share the same sensor size class but different technologies and resolutions.

Both utilize a 1/2.3-inch sensor, but the TG-870 packs a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, whereas the HZ10W sticks to a 10MP CCD sensor. This difference is significant. BSI (Backside Illuminated) CMOS sensors enable better light-gathering efficiency, which essentially means less noise at higher ISOs and overall improved low-light capabilities.

My lab tests and real-world shooting confirm this. At base ISO settings (ISO 125 for Olympus and ISO 80 for Samsung), both handled daylight scenes well, though the Olympus delivered more detail due to higher resolution. At ISO 800 and above, the Samsung’s images became noticeably grainier and softer, thanks to older CCD tech and lower pixel count.

Additionally, the TG-870 benefits from a more advanced TruePic VII image processor, enhancing color accuracy, dynamic range, and noise reduction algorithms. In outdoor landscape shots and portraits, the Olympus rendered more natural skin tones with less oversaturation or unnatural contrast compared to the Samsung’s sometimes overly warm cast.

If image quality and flexibility under varied lighting are priorities for you, the TG-870’s sensor and processor combo hold a tangible advantage, giving a cleaner, sharper image - especially critical when you want to make larger prints or crop in tight.

Displays and User Interface: Tipping the Balance

To compose and review shots, screen quality and flexibility have become indispensable - especially when shooting at odd angles or in sunlight.

The TG-870 flaunts a 3-inch tilting LCD with impressive 921k-dot resolution. This means bright, sharp images to preview, and tilt-swivel capability to shoot over crowds or get low-to-the-ground macro shots without bending painfully.

Conversely, the HZ10W’s fixed 2.7-inch screen has a unimpressive 230k-dot resolution - a relic in today’s standards. Its static position limits flexibility and makes complicated compositions challenging. Plus, sunlight visibility suffered, making the TG-870 a clear winner for on-the-go versatility.

Despite neither camera featuring touchscreens - still relatively rare in rugged cameras of their era - the Olympus’s intuitive menu system shines here. It’s well-organized and responsive, while Samsung’s interface feels sluggish, with more menu diving required to change settings.

Zoom Range and Lens Capabilities: Versatility or Reach?

The strength of fixed lens compacts often lies in their zoom ranges. Let’s see how these cameras fare for broad shooting needs.

The Olympus TG-870 sports a 21-105mm equivalent zoom (5x optical zoom) aperture F3.5-5.7. This range strikes a good balance for landscapes to portraits - wide enough to capture vistas, telephoto reach enough for medium-distance shots. The macro focus can get you to an impressive 1cm minimum distance for close-ups, making it versatile for nature and detail work.

The Samsung HZ10W impresses with a longer 24-240mm equivalent zoom (a whopping 10x optical zoom), aperture F3.3-5.8. The extended reach suits wildlife or distant subjects better, and for those who prioritize telephoto power in a compact, this is appealing. However, macro focusing starts at 5cm - a bit less flexible for extreme close-ups.

In practice, the Olympus lens is optically sharper and better corrected at wide and mid zoom levels - less distortion and chromatic aberration. The Samsung’s extreme telephoto edge, while useful, comes with more softness and slower autofocus at full zoom.

So if you often find yourself needing to zoom in on distant wildlife or events, Samsung might get your vote. If you want all-around optics with better close-quarter performance, Olympus wins.

Autofocus Performance: Precision and Tracking

Focusing speed and accuracy can make or break action, wildlife, and even candid street shots.

The TG-870 uses a contrast-detection AF system with face detection and continuous AF tracking, allowing rapid reacquisition of focus on moving subjects. While it’s not as snappy as dedicated phase detection found on DSLRs, the TG-870 performed admirably in field tests, locking onto faces and subjects reliably in changing light.

Samsung’s HZ10W used an older contrast AF system without continuous AF or tracking. Its single AF point is center-weighted without advanced face or eye detection. This meant slower focus, especially moving subjects, and more focus hunting in low light. For stationary subjects or landscapes, it was adequate.

In birds-in-flight or sports scenarios, the Olympus gave me far fewer missed frames or blurry shots. If you want a camera that can really keep up with unpredictable movement, the TG-870 is a safer bet.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Built for Adventure or Everyday?

One key distinction is weather resistance. Olympus built the TG-870 as a rugged “Tough” model with environmental sealing.

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Samsung HZ10W front Samsung HZ10W screen back

The TG-870 is waterproof down to about 15m (50ft), crushproof, freezeproof, and shockproof to a 2.1m drop. For anyone shooting in rain, snow, or rugged environments, these specs provide confidence. Olympus’s engineering for durability is remarkable in this category, and it reflects in the solid feel and robust materials.

Samsung’s HZ10W, by contrast, lacks any weather sealing and is vulnerable to moisture and dust ingress. Its plastic body is less impact-resistant, so it’s best kept clean and dry.

If you’re an outdoor shooter who won’t be gentling your gear, only the TG-870 offers peace of mind. The Samsung is fine for everyday casual use but not a camera you’d throw in your backpack for a mountain trek or beach day without protective care.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Battery performance is often overlooked but critical for trips or day-long shoots.

The TG-870 uses a rechargeable Li-50B battery rated for around 300 shots per charge, typical for compact cameras with LED flash and image stabilization active. It supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards internally, which means you can use high-capacity cards without hassle.

The Samsung didn’t have official battery life specs published but from experience and user reports, expect lower endurance, around 200-250 shots. It uses SC/SDHC/MMC cards, which are less common and sometimes slower.

Both cameras have single card slots and USB 2.0 connectivity but only the TG-870 supports built-in wireless connectivity, simplifying transfer and remote control - a modern convenience absent in the Samsung.

Video Capabilities: Recording Quality and Usability

Though neither is a dedicated video camera, many of us want at least decent video as a secondary capability.

TG-870 records full HD 1080p at 60fps in MPEG-4 H.264 format, delivering smooth footage with decent image quality. It includes optical image stabilization to reduce shake and offers timelapse recording. While there’s no external mic port, the built-in mic captures clear audio - good enough for casual sharing or travel diaries.

Samsung’s HZ10W tops out at 720p at 30fps in Motion JPEG - a more outdated, less efficient codec with lower resolution. Video quality is comparatively grainy, and no stabilization is available for video, resulting in noticeably shaky clips.

In 2024’s standards, TG-870 video undeniably wins on quality, smoothness, and practicality. The Samsung’s video may suffice for occasional clips but lacks punch and modern convenience.

Specialty Photography Applications

Let’s quickly run through how each holds up across popular genres, with personal notes from shooting:

• Portraits: TG-870’s higher resolution, more accurate skin tone rendering, and face detection autofocus let you capture natural portraits with creamy backgrounds at moderate zooms. Samsung struggles with noisier images and slower AF.

• Landscape: Olympus’s sharper lens and sturdier environmental sealing suit outdoor landscape shooting. Wider lens coverage of 21mm means more framing flexibility. Samsung’s longer zoom is less useful here, and lack of weatherproofing limits field scenarios.

• Wildlife: Samsung’s 240mm reach is appealing for distant animals. However, Olympus’s faster AF and better stabilization help track motion better, producing more keepers.

• Sports: Neither camera is truly built for high-speed sports photography, but Olympus’s continuous AF and 7fps burst rate provide some ability to capture fast moments better than Samsung’s stop-and-shoot approach.

• Street: Olympus’s smaller size, articulate screen, and quick AF make spontaneous street photography more enjoyable. Samsung’s fixed screen and slower operation hinder candid opportunities.

• Macro: TG-870 excels with its 1cm macro focus distance and stabilized shooting. Samsung’s 5cm minimum range and no stabilization limit close-up detail capture.

• Night/Astro: Bottom-line low light is TG-870 territory thanks to better high ISO handling. Samsung’s noise above ISO 400 is high, limiting usability.

• Travel: Olympus’s waterproofing, GPS tagging, wireless transfer, and compact body make it a travel pro. Samsung’s longer zoom lens is a plus but less practical if hiking or near water.

• Professional Work: Neither camera is suitable for demanding professional work requiring RAW outputs or robust workflows but Olympus’s image quality and metadata benefits mean it can fulfill casual pro needs better.

Final Scores and Performance Breakdown

Here’s a summarized quantitative look based on my hands-on tests and benchmark criteria across major categories:

And genre-by-genre strengths:

You can see TG-870 leads markedly in image quality, autofocus, and ruggedness, while Samsung holds a modest edge in telephoto reach.

Wrap-Up: Which Camera is Right for You?

After my extensive testing, if you want a compact, tough, reliable camera today that can go anywhere, capture a variety of scenes with solid image and video quality, and offers modern conveniences like GPS and wireless, the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 is the clear choice - especially for active travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its upgrades over the Samsung HZ10W are substantial in sensor tech, durability, user interface, and autofocus.

However, if your priority is telephoto reach in a simple package, with a slightly lower price and less concern about low light or ruggedness, the Samsung HZ10W still holds appeal as a basic, budget-friendly travel zoom.

Of course, there are now many newer compacts exceeding both these cameras by leaps and bounds, but if you encounter these models used or as backup options, I hope this breakdown clarifies their pros, cons, and ideal users.

I trust this comparison helps you navigate the nuances of compact tough cameras with a practical lens and years of experience behind the advice. If you have any questions or want me to tackle a specific camera or use case next, just shout. Happy shooting!