Olympus TG-870 vs Sony TX100V: A Thorough Ultracompact Camera Comparison From My Lens

Whenever I carry an ultracompact camera, it’s about capturing fleeting moments - travel snippets, family excursions, or even spontaneous street life scenes. Recently, I spent extensive time with two intriguing contenders in the rugged ultra-compact segment: the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V. Both cameras boast 16MP BSI-CMOS sensors, fixed zoom lenses, and pocket-friendly designs, but they cater quite differently to how and where one might shoot.

Through my hands-on testing across multiple genres - portraiture, landscapes, macro, and more - I’m sharing detailed insights into their core strengths, shortcomings, and who each camera truly suits. I trust my 15+ years in camera testing will guide you to make an informed pick rather than a hopeful guess.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.

First Impressions: Form Factor and Ergonomics

Handling a camera matters immensely - especially when it’s meant to be your everyday companion. Size, weight, grip, and button layout shape how instinctively and comfortably you shoot.

Both the TG-870 and TX100V are ultracompact, but they do differ noticeably:

Side-by-side size and shape comparison; the Olympus TG-870 is chunkier and obviously built tougher, while the Sony TX100V sports a slimmer, sleeker silhouette.

The Olympus TG-870 feels substantial at 221g and has a chunky 113 × 64 × 28 mm body. You immediately sense it’s ruggedized: waterproof, crushproof, freezeproof, and shockproof. Its textured grip is reassuring and keeps your hand steady, even in slippery or wet conditions.

By contrast, the Sony TX100V weighs 147g and offers a more refined, slim profile (97 × 59 × 18 mm). Its smooth aluminum finish looks elegant but isn’t weather-sealed. If discretion and pocketability are your priorities, this model slips in and out of bags effortlessly.

Ergonomically, the TG-870’s buttons are logically grouped but unlit, which can be a minor nuisance in low light. Conversely, the TX100V boasts a clean interface with touchscreen controls - a feature I grew fond of for quick menu tweaks.

Topside Controls and Interface Experience

It’s one thing to want control modes and autofocus options; it’s another for them to be accessible during the shoot. I extensively compared the top layout and controls on both:

The Olympus TG-870’s physical dials and buttons are robust and easily operated with gloves, while Sony TX100V integrates touchscreen plus traditional buttons.

The TG-870 keeps things tactile: dedicated mode dial for Program, Scene modes, NS (Night Scene), and Panorama. A zoom lever, record button, and power button are well-placed for effortless one-handed operation. However, lacking manual focus or exposure controls limits flexibility.

Sony’s TX100V offers no manual focusing either, but the 3.5-inch XtraFine OLED touchscreen enhances interaction with menus and focus point selection. Unfortunately, its shutter speed caps at 1/1600s, shorter than TG-870’s 1/2000s.

Touchscreen AF with multi-point selection on the TX100V allows for more precise framing especially when shooting candid or street scenes.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Shared Heartbeat

Though separated by years, the cameras share a similar imaging heart: a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor clocking 16MP with identical physical dimensions (6.17 x 4.55mm sensor area). However, there are subtle nuances that shape image quality and performance.

Both cameras share the class-standard 1/2.3" sensor size, but differences in processing influence output.

I ran side-by-side test shoots in daylight and subdued lighting to assess dynamic range, color fidelity, noise levels, and detail reproduction.

• The TG-870, powered by Olympus’s TruePic VII processor, delivers punchy colors with slightly warmer skin tones, suitable for portraits. Its max ISO sensitivity hits 6400 native with extension up to 12800, though noise becomes very visible above ISO 1600.

• The TX100V uses Sony’s BIONZ processor and caps at ISO 3200 native, with no boosted ISO. Images lean a bit cooler in tone. Noise is controlled well up to ISO 800 but deteriorates faster beyond ISO 1600.

Thanks to the anti-aliasing filters, fine detail can soften slightly, especially in heavily textured subjects like landscapes but neither camera excels in micro sharpness compared to larger sensor compacts.

Composing and Reviewing: Screen and Viewfinder Differences

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, so LCD quality matters a lot, especially in bright sunlight.

Olympus TG-870's 3-inch tilting LCD with 921k-dot resolution compared with Sony TX100V's 3.5-inch high-res XtraFine OLED touchscreen.

The TG-870 features a 3-inch tilting screen with modest resolution (921k dots). Its tilt flexibility up or down is handy for low-angle or overhead shots, but the resolution can feel a bit grainy outdoors.

Sony's TX100V shines with a 3.5-inch, 1229k-dot OLED touchscreen. This screen is about viewing vibrancy and clarity, even under harsh light, thanks to the TruBlack tech that reduces reflections. Touch AF on the LCD is responsive and enjoyable for quick reassignment of focus points.

If you prioritize a bright, detailed LCD and intuitive interface, Sony’s screen is a winner; for rugged outdoor use with awkward angles, the tilt on Olympus is more practical.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness

Although both cameras rely solely on contrast-detection AF systems, their real-world performance differs markedly.

• The Olympus TG-870 offers single AF, continuous AF for moving subjects, and tracking AF. It also features face detection, which is surprisingly reliable in various lighting conditions. However, with no phase detection or laser-assist focus, it can hunt a bit in dimmer environments.

• The Sony TX100V supports single AF only, without continuous or tracking options, and crucially lacks face detection, which surprised me given Sony's prowess elsewhere. That limits its agility for moving subjects.

In burst mode, the TG-870 captures about 7 frames per second, keeping pace with many rugged compacts. The Sony edges this number up to 10 fps but since it can’t track focus, the extra frames can be wasted with many out-of-focus shots.

I tested this in a wildlife walk-along shoot: TG-870’s AF tracking handled slow-moving birds better, even snapping some sharp flight sequences; Sony’s quicker frame rate was less helpful as focus lagged or hunted.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility Tested

The Olympus features a 5x zoom lens with focal range equivalent to 21-105mm in full-frame terms, aperture varying from f/3.5-5.7. Sony’s zoom is slightly tighter at 25-100mm f/3.5-4.6 and has a smaller zoom range of 4x.

The wider Olympus optics, particularly the 21mm wide end, are better suited for landscapes, interiors, and group portraits. Sony’s 25mm start is respectable but noticeably less expansive.

At telephoto ends, Sony benefits from a faster max aperture (up to f/4.6 vs Olympus’ f/5.7), useful in lower light, but Olympus somewhat compensates with image stabilization.

Optical Image Stabilization and Macro Capability

Both cameras employ optical image stabilization (OIS), but Olympus additionally integrates its rugged design with effective shake compensation.

Significantly for close-up enthusiasts, Olympus TG-870’s lens supports ultra-close focus to 1 cm, enabling stunning macro shots of flowers, insects, or intricate textures - a feature Sony cannot match as it doesn’t specify macro focus range.

In my macro test sessions, TG-870 produced crisp, color-accurate close-ups with substantial background blur. Sony’s minimum focusing distance was noticeably longer, making it tougher to isolate small subjects tightly.

Video Performance and Extras

For casual videographers, both cameras record Full HD 1080p at 60fps, though Sony’s AVCHD format offers slightly better compression quality compared to Olympus’ H.264/MPEG-4.

The Olympus allows timelapse recording and comes built-in GPS, ideal for geotagging adventures. Sony lacks timelapse but is Eye-Fi compatible for wireless transfer (a bit dated tech now).

Neither has microphone or headphone ports, limiting any serious audio recording flexibility.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

One standout advantage of the Olympus TG-870 is its rugged build:

• Waterproof to 15 meters
• Shockproof to 2.1m drops
• Crushproof up to 100kg
• Freezeproof to -10°C

This makes it a clear pick for hiking, snorkeling, or winter sports photographers who want a go-anywhere shooter without lugging heavy gear.

The Sony TX100V lacks this weather sealing or rugged protection, meaning it’s vulnerable to moisture and rough handling. It’s more info or street-oriented than adventure ready.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life can make or break usability on longer trips.

The TG-870 uses a Li-50B battery rated for approximately 300 shots per charge, which aligns well with my field experiences - sufficient for half-day shoots when power conservation is practiced.

Sony unfortunately doesn’t list official battery life here, but my hands-on note suggested it’s closer to 200-250 shots, partly due to the bright OLED screen's additional draw.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Sony adds Memory Stick support, catering to legacy users. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports are standard on both.

Wireless-wise, Olympus includes built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control, whereas Sony relies on Eye-Fi card compatibility - a less seamless option nowadays.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Types

With all this said, how do these cameras fare in specific photographic disciplines?

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Sony TX100V screen back

Portraits

TG-870’s warmer tones and face detection AF excel for casual portraiture, especially outdoors. Background blur is moderate given sensor size, but its 21mm wide end allows environmental portraits that tell stories.

Sony is less adept, lacking face detection and with a cooler color cast, though subtle differences may be adjusted in post.

Landscapes

Wide angle on Olympus pushes the envelope for tight framing in natural scenes. Dynamic range is about average, but shoot in RAW (unavailable here) would help; both cameras only output JPEG.

Sony’s smaller zoom range limits compositional creativity, and less resolution in the screen hampers precise composition under bright skies.

Wildlife

Neither camera rivals dedicated superzoom or mirrorless for wildlife, but Olympus tracks subjects better and offers a slightly longer zoom reach.

Sports

Burst speed and AF tracking favor Olympus. Sony’s quick 10 fps continuous mode is hampered by lack of AF tracking.

Street

For quick candid shots, Sony’s discrete, slim body and touchscreen are assets. Olympus is sportier but slightly more conspicuous.

Macro

TG-870 leads with 1 cm focusing and sharper close-ups.

Night/Astro

Both struggle due to small sensors - high ISO images are noisy past 800-1600 ISO; Olympus’s higher ISO ceiling is less practical for clean shots.

Video

Both deliver solid 1080p video, but Olympus adds timelapse and GPS overlays.

Travel

The TG-870’s durability makes it a travel-safe companion, while Sony offers lightweight portability and charming design.

Professional

Neither camera is built for professional work due to lack of RAW capture, manual control, and limited lens options.

Technical Scorecard and Performance Ratings

Summing Up: Which Ultracompact Is Your Ideal Companion?

After spending weeks with both, here is how I see it:

Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 if you:

• Need a rugged, waterproof companion for outdoor adventures
• Value versatile zoom with a wider angle and macro prowess
• Shoot portraits or landscapes requiring warmer tones and decent AF tracking
• Want GPS and Wi-Fi built-in for location tagging and convenience
• Don’t mind a slightly bulkier camera for better grip and durability

Go with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V if you:

• Prioritize portability and stylish design for street or travel photography
• Appreciate a vibrant, large touchscreen for quick AF and menu use
• Put a premium on discrete handling over weather resistance
• Shoot primarily in daylight and don’t need continuous AF tracking
• Are comfortable with legacy Memory Stick cards and Eye-Fi wireless transfer

Final Thoughts from My Experience

Neither camera is ideal for heavy professional use or demanding image quality expectations, but both excel in their niches. Olympus’s TG-870 is truly a ruggedized pocket DSLR alternative - reliable in extremes - while Sony’s TX100V embodies style and ease making it suited for casual walks and indoor shoots.

Through my extensive testing, I found both cameras offer sturdy image quality and feature sets befitting their eras and price points. I appreciate Olympus’s no-nonsense outdoor credentials and Sony’s interface innovation. If I had to pick one to keep in everyday rotation, it’d be the TG-870 due to its flexibility and resilience.

Hopefully, my insights help you weigh what matters most and choose a companion that suits your photographic journeys.

If you’ve got any questions or want further real-world shooting tips with either camera, feel free to reach out - I’m always happy to discuss and share field notes. Happy shooting!