Olympus TG-870 vs Sony W710: Which Compact Camera Suits Your Photography Journey?

Choosing the right compact camera can be challenging with so many options tailored to casual shooters and more advanced enthusiasts alike. Today, we’re diving into a detailed hands-on comparison between two popular ultracompact cameras: the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710. Both target users seeking a convenient point-and-shoot experience, but their design philosophies, features, and real-world capabilities differ significantly.

Drawing from our extensive experience testing thousands of cameras, we’ll break down their core components, performance in various photography genres, and overall value to help you find the perfect fit for your creative needs.

Sizing Up: Ergonomics and Handling for the On-The-Go Photographer

When selecting your camera, how it feels in your hand and travels with you is crucial - especially if you value portability for street, travel, or outdoor photography.

• Olympus TG-870 measures 113 x 64 x 28 mm and weighs 221 grams.
• Sony W710 is noticeably smaller and lighter, at 97 x 55 x 20 mm and 114 grams.

The TG-870 offers a more robust grip, designed with outdoor durability in mind, including protective rubberized textures. The Sony W710’s slim profile emphasizes pocketability but at a trade-off in handling comfort, especially for longer shooting sessions or when wearing gloves.

The larger TG-870 also allows for beyond-basic manual controls and dedicated buttons, benefiting users who want quick access without navigating menus - a key point for enthusiasts seeking faster operational workflows.

Design & Controls: Intuitive Interface Meets Practical Use

Having tested these models extensively, we appreciate how button layout and display usability impact your shooting flow.

• The Olympus TG-870 provides tactile buttons for exposure compensation, flash modes, and direct toggling of image stabilization.
• The Sony W710 relies more on menu navigation and fewer tactile controls, which may slow you down in candid or action shots.

Neither has an electronic viewfinder, but the TG-870 features a tilting 3-inch LCD with 921k dots resolution - significantly sharper and more versatile for high- or low-angle framing compared to Sony’s fixed 2.7-inch, 230k dots touchscreen.

One peculiarity: Sony’s touchscreen functionality is limited, mostly to menu navigation rather than full touch-to-focus or touchscreen shooting. Olympus does not offer touchscreen, but the higher resolution tilt screen provides better clarity outdoors.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technology Driving Your Expressions

At the heart of any camera is its sensor and processor - a combination that governs everything from detail clarity to low-light performance and color rendition.

The key difference lies in the sensor technology: the TG-870 uses a Backside Illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) sensor paired with Olympus’s own TruePic VII processor, improving noise control and dynamic range. In contrast, Sony’s W710 uses an older CCD sensor, which traditionally underperforms in low light and speed.

We observed in side-by-side tests that the TG-870 excels at delivering cleaner images at higher ISO settings with better color fidelity - especially in challenging indoor or evening conditions. The Sony W710 is more prone to noise and softer details past ISO 800, limiting its use in dim environments.

Display and User Interface: How You See Your Shots Matters

Your LCD screen is your live connection to composition and immediate feedback during shooting.

• Olympus’s tilting 3-inch screen with nearly 1 million dots resolution delivers crisp previews and versatile angle adjustments. It’s particularly helpful for street or landscape shooters who sometimes need to frame quickly from unconventional angles.
• Sony’s fixed 2.7-inch touchscreen suffers from coarse resolution and lack of tilt, making it less comfortable to use in bright sunlight or unusual shooting positions.

While some may miss touchscreen capability on the Olympus, the more responsive physical controls and sharper display compensate well. Sony’s touchscreen menus can be appealing to newcomers comfortable with tapping through options but may frustrate more demanding users.

Real-World Performance in Photography Genres

Let’s explore how these cameras perform in various shooting scenarios - from portraits to wildlife - drawing from our hands-on testing and industry benchmarks.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin Tones and Bokeh

• The TG-870 benefits from a wider lens aperture at the short end (f/3.5) and advanced autofocus algorithms including face detection and continuous AF, delivering consistently sharp and well-exposed faces.
• Its lens zoom range (21-105 mm equivalent) allows tight mid-distance portraits with moderate background blur. Optical image stabilization helps keep shots steady for handheld portraits.
• Sony’s W710 offers a slightly longer reach (28-140 mm) but with a narrower aperture (f/3.2-6.5) that limits subject isolation and low light performance.
• AF is contrast detection-based with face detection but slower autofocus speed and no continuous tracking, which can cause missed moments with moving subjects.

For portraits, Olympus takes a clear lead in sharpness, color accuracy, and autofocus reliability, essential for flattering skin tones and crisp eyes.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Outdoor Ready

• Olympus’s BSI-CMOS sensor offers wider dynamic range, capturing more shadow and highlight details - crucial for intricate landscapes.
• The TG-870 is environmentally sealed, boasting waterproof (up to 15m), shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof ratings, making it the perfect tough companion for rugged outdoor adventures.
• Sony’s W710 lacks any weather sealing and is better suited for urban landscapes or casual daytime outings.

If you’re chasing sweeping vistas or shooting in rough terrain, Olympus is your dependable partner. Sony’s compact profile shines in easy urban strolls without harsh weather demands.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus and Telephoto Reach

• The Sony W710’s maximum 140 mm equivalent focal length edges out Olympus’s 105 mm, providing a bit more zoom for distant subjects.
• However, the TG-870’s faster continuous shooting speed (7 fps) and better autofocus tracking make it more capable of capturing moving wildlife.
• Olympus’s image stabilization also aids in telephoto handheld sharpness - a big plus in unpredictable wildlife situations.
• Sony’s single-frame shooting mode at 1 fps is too slow for action shots, and slower AF can frustrate attempts at sharp bird or animal images.

For wildlife, Olympus represents a stronger choice if you prioritize speed and adaptability, despite slightly shorter zoom.

Sports Photography: Tracking Speed and Frame Rates

• The TG-870’s 7 frames per second burst shooting and continuous AF tracking are ideal for fast-paced subjects.
• Sony’s W710 lacks continuous continuous AF and shoots at only 1 fps, limiting its ability to capture sharp images of athletes or active kids.
• Both cameras don’t offer manual exposure modes or shutter/aperture priority, restricting advanced control during dynamic events.

If sports photography is your focus, Olympus gives you an appreciable edge, though for serious sports use, consider cameras with larger sensors and pro-level AF.

Street Photography: Portability and Discretion

• Sony W710’s slim and lightweight form makes it nearly pocketable - ideal for casual street photography where discretion is key.
• Olympus’s tougher, larger body and louder shutter may draw more attention but offer better durability in urban environments.
• TG-870’s tilting screen allows creative shooting angles around crowds or obstacles, while Sony’s fixed screen sometimes limits flexibility.

You’ll prefer the Sony for ultra-light carry and blending in on the street. If your shooting includes urban exploration with occasional rough handling, Olympus offers peace of mind.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Stabilization

• TG-870 supports macro shooting down to 1 cm, allowing extreme close-ups of flowers, insects, or textures.
• Sony limits macro to 10 cm, which restricts detail capture.
• Olympus’s Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) significantly aids handheld macro shooting where camera shake is magnified.
• Sony’s stabilization is also optical but offers less effective stabilization at close focusing distances.

For those who adore macro work, Olympus’s minimum focus distance and steady shots give it a strong advantage.

Night and Astrophotography: Handling High ISO and Exposure

• Olympus’s CMOS sensor pairs with the TruePic VII processor to maintain higher detail at ISO 6400, making it more usable for low light and night scenes.
• Sony’s CCD sensor exhibits more noise and less detail past ISO 800, limiting usability after dark.
• TG-870 supports timelapse recording and longer shutter speeds (down to 4 seconds), enabling creative night photography and simple astrophotography.
• Sony offers longer shutter speeds only down to 2 seconds and lacks timelapse.

If you enjoy capturing starry skies or city nights, Olympus’s sensor technology and exposure flexibility will yield better results.

Video Capabilities: Capturing Moving Moments

In today’s content landscape, video features are increasingly important, even in compact cameras.

Olympus supports Full HD 1080p at smooth 60 fps - ideal for capturing vibrant and fluid footage. Sony caps out at 720p/30fps, which is adequate for casual playback but lacks the clarity enthusiasts expect today.

Neither offers microphone input or headphone jacks, which is typical for cameras at this class. Olympus’s superior video resolution and stabilization make it the better vlogging or home movie companion.

Battery Life and Storage: Reliability on Extended Outings

• Olympus includes a Li-50B battery with around 300 shots per charge which aligns well for day-long trips.
• Sony’s NP-BN battery rated at 240 shots is a bit lower but manageable for casual shooting.
• Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with Sony adding Memory Stick compatibility, though SD cards are preferred universally.
• Olympus supports internal storage as well, adding a fallback option if your card runs full.

For longer excursions and minimal battery anxiety, Olympus has the edge, though keep spare batteries handy regardless.

Connectivity and Extras: Sharing Made Easy or Not?

• Olympus TG-870 features built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, making it convenient to geotag shots and wirelessly transfer images to your smartphone for instant sharing.
• Sony W710 lacks wireless connectivity and GPS; transferring files requires USB or card readers.
• HDMI output is available on Olympus, allowing external display or quick slideshow viewing; Sony does not include HDMI.

If staying connected and sharing easily is important in your workflow, Olympus’s wireless and GPS features empower that seamlessly.

Build Quality and Durability: Toughness Counts

• Olympus TG-870 boasts rugged sealing with resistance to:
  • Waterproofing down to 15 meters
  • Shockproof from 2.1-meter drops
  • Freezeproof to -10℃
  • Crushproof up to 100 kgf
• Sony W710 is a typical compact without any weather sealing or impact resistance.

For adventurers, outdoor action shooters, or anyone who accidentally drops or exposes gear to harsh elements, Olympus’s rugged design is a clear winner.

Price and Value: What Are You Getting for Your Money?

• Olympus TG-870 launched around $280.
• Sony W710 is often found near $90, significantly cheaper.

Your choice boils down to whether the advanced ruggedness, performance, and features of the TG-870 warrant the price premium over Sony’s entry-level budget camera. We believe Olympus offers much more longevity and creative capability to photographers ready to push their compact shooting further.

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Choose Which? Tailored Recommendations

Final Thoughts: A Clear Choice for Serious Compact Needs

The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 emerges as the more advanced, durable, and versatile camera, built to handle diverse photographic challenges with confidence. Its superior sensor technology, rugged design, and thoughtful controls make it ideal for enthusiasts and travelers who want more than just snapshots.

On the other hand, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710 offers a lightweight, budget-friendly entry point into digital photography, suitable for casual users focused on simple daylight shooting without the need for advanced features.

If you’re ready to explore beyond basic photography and want a pocketable system that withstands real-world conditions while delivering impressive image quality, the TG-870 is well worth the investment. Stay connected, shoot confidently, and capture your world in sharp detail.

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Sony W710 front Sony W710 screen back

Explore these sample images shot side by side to see how color reproduction, sharpness, and dynamic range differ in real life.

Objective scoring shows the Olympus TG-870 outperforms in most areas, especially exposure accuracy, autofocus speed, and durability.

Detailed breakdown by photographic genres further confirms Olympus’s advantages in action, landscape, macro, and night shooting.

Want to take the next step?

If possible, get hands-on time with both cameras in store or rent them before buying. Bring your favorite shooting scenarios and see which feels more intuitive and fun. Pairing the TG-870 with durable accessories like sports straps or underwater housing unlocks exciting creative possibilities. For Sony, quick SD cards and a small carrying pouch enhance your on-the-go photography.

Happy shooting and exploring your image-making journey with confidence!