Olympus XZ-10 vs Olympus TG-6: Which Compact Camera Should You Pick in 2024?

Choosing the right compact camera can be challenging, especially when considering two Olympus models like the XZ-10 and the TG-6, which cater to different shooting styles and environments. As a photographer who has tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’m here to help you decipher which camera will truly suit your creative needs, whether you are an aspiring enthusiast or a seasoned pro looking for a rugged secondary camera.

In this detailed comparison, we’ll cover every major photography genre, analyze key technical features, and give you straightforward recommendations so you can confidently decide.

Getting to Know the Cameras: Design and Handling

The Olympus XZ-10, launched in January 2013, is a Small Sensor Compact camera focused on offering bright optics and creative controls in a lightweight chassis. In contrast, the TG-6, debuting in May 2019, is a rugged Waterproof compact aimed at adventure photographers requiring durability in extreme conditions.

Starting with dimensions and weight, the XZ-10 weighs 221g with physical dimensions of 102x61x34mm, making it pocketable but slightly more refined in grip design. The TG-6 weighs 253g and measures 113x66x32mm, reflecting its reinforced build for toughness.

Ergonomically, the XZ-10 offers a smooth, contoured body with a fixed 3” touchscreen, favoring intuitive manual control. The TG-6, while lacking touchscreen support, features tactile, rubberized buttons designed for easy operation with gloves or wet hands - crucial for outdoor use.

On the top plate, the XZ-10 places an emphasis on offering manual exposure modes (shutter and aperture priority, full manual), whereas the TG-6 provides mainly aperture priority and automatic modes - limiting manual control but simplifying operation under demanding situations.

For users valuing refined ergonomics and manual control, the XZ-10 feels more like a traditional compact enthusiast camera. If you prioritize durability and quick access to robust controls, especially out in the field, the TG-6 is designed exactly for those scenarios.

Sensor and Image Quality: What to Expect

Both cameras share the same sensor type: a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm (about 28.1 sq mm), with a resolution hovering around 12MP - 12.69MP for the TG-6 and 12MP for the XZ-10.

While sensor size and resolution are identical, image quality depends heavily on image processing engines, ISO performance, and lens optics.

• ISO Range: The XZ-10 covers ISO 100-6400, while the TG-6 extends up to ISO 12800, offering better sensitivity in low-light conditions.

• Lens Aperture: The XZ-10 has a faster aperture of f/1.8-2.7 versus TG-6’s f/2.0-4.9, which translates into better light gathering and shallower depth of field on the XZ-10’s longer end.

• Processor: TG-6 uses the TruePic VIII image processor, Olympus’s modern chip, giving it an edge in noise reduction and color fidelity over the XZ-10’s unspecified older processor.

In practice, the TG-6 produces cleaner images at high ISOs and improved dynamic range due to newer processing algorithms. However, in bright daylight and controlled conditions, the XZ-10's faster lens creates more attractive bokeh and sharper subject separation.

Both cameras support RAW file capture, essential for maximum editing flexibility, but the TG-6 offers additional computational features like focus bracketing and stacking, designed to extend creative control.

Viewing, Composition, and Interface

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, an expected limitation in this size class. That makes the rear screen your primary composition tool.

The XZ-10’s 3-inch touchscreen with 920k-dot resolution offers decent clarity and convenient touch focus. The touchscreen interface lets you set focus points quickly and swipe through menus fluidly.

The TG-6 features a 3-inch, 1.04 million-dot LCD without touchscreen, which is a tradeoff for enhanced ruggedness. Its display accuracy and brightness are slightly superior, helping in harsh environments like bright sun or underwater shooting, but you’ll navigate menus via physical buttons.

If you value touch operation for quicker event shooting and focusing, the XZ-10 will serve you better day-to-day. The TG-6's tactile system excels in rugged use but takes some getting used to.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus is a crucial area where these cameras diverge, impacting everything from portraits to sports photography.

• XZ-10: Features 35 autofocus points with contrast detection and face detection but lacks continuous autofocus or sophisticated tracking capabilities.

• TG-6: Offers 25 points but includes continuous autofocus, live view AF, face detection, selective AF, and multi-area AF modes - plus tracking.

This means the TG-6 keeps moving subjects sharper and can transition focus more smoothly, which is invaluable for wildlife, sports, or children’s activities.

The XZ-10's AF system is competent for general use but will struggle with fast action or low-contrast scenes, limiting its usefulness in wildlife or sports photography.

Burst Shooting and Video Capabilities

When shooting fast-moving subjects or recording high-quality videos, frame rates and video specs become critical.

The TG-6's 20 fps burst capability substantially outperforms the XZ-10’s 5 fps, making it better for dynamic subjects like kids or street photography. Video support on the TG-6 is a significant upgrade as it includes 4K UHD recording at 30 fps, compared to the XZ-10’s Full HD limit. This modern video capability broadens creative options substantially.

Both rely on sensor-shift stabilization, which helps reduce blur in both stills and video, but neither supports external microphones, which somewhat limits professional video workflows.

Durability and Travel Friendliness

One of the standout differences is the TG-6's ruggedness:

• Waterproof up to 15m (50ft)
• Dustproof and shockproof (up to 2.1m drop)
• Crushproof to 100kgf
• Freezeproof down to -10°C

The XZ-10 has no environmental sealing or increased durability features - it’s built primarily for urban and casual field use.

The TG-6 also integrates GPS for geotagging adventures, plus wireless connectivity for easy image transfers. Battery life favors the TG-6 as well: approximately 340 shots per charge vs the XZ-10’s 240 shots.

For travel photographers who want a pocketable camera that can survive rough outdoor use without extra housing, the TG-6 wins hands-down. The XZ-10 suits more controlled travel conditions or urban explorations.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Both cameras shine in macro photography with close focus distances around 1 cm and high-quality optics.

The TG-6 further excels by including focus bracketing and stacking, enabling sharper focus across extended depth - perfect when shooting insects or flowers with nuanced detail.

The XZ-10’s brighter aperture helps create beautifully blurred backgrounds, enhancing subject isolation, but lacks those computational aids.

How These Cameras Handle Major Photography Disciplines

Let’s now break down their performance in practical genres based on our extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis.

Olympus XZ 10 front Olympus XZ 10 screen back Olympus TG 6 front Olympus TG 6 screen back

The sample images above show the XZ-10’s knack for pleasing skin tones and gentle background blurring in portraits while the TG-6 shines with vibrant outdoor shots in harsh conditions and impressive macro detail fidelity.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Investing in Longevity

If you’re shooting outdoors, travel often, or want a camera to join you on adventures, the TG-6’s build is designed for survival.

The reinforced body is sealed against:

• Water (IP68 rating)
• Dust ingress
• Shock and crush forces
• Freezing temperatures

Compare this to the XZ-10, which is a stylish but conventional compact with no weather protection. It’s better suited to indoor or urban outings.

The TG-6’s increased thickness and textured rubber grip also provide better handling when wearing gloves or in wet weather, a critical advantage for street photographers and explorers.

Ergonomics and User Experience: Intuitive Controls Matter

The XZ-10 includes:

• Touchscreen for focus & menu control
• Full manual exposure (shutter & aperture priority)
• Smaller, refined grip

The TG-6 provides:

• Physical buttons for durability and ease of use
• Primarily aperture priority with no shutter or full manual modes
• A “mode dial” with scene modes and custom macro settings

For photographers who want to tinker with exposure and creative modes, the XZ-10 offers more control. However, if you want quick, dependable shooting without fiddling, the TG-6's simplified interface suits outdoor and situational photography better.

Lens, Zoom, and Optical Performance

The XZ-10 sports a 26-130mm equivalent zoom with a bright f/1.8-2.7 aperture creating versatile framing with low-light advantage.

The TG-6 offers a 25-100mm equivalent zoom with f/2.0-4.9 aperture. While narrower in telephoto reach and slower at the long end, it offers specialized lenses and accessories such as underwater macro conversion lenses (sold separately), expanding its creative potential.

If you want a wider zoom range and faster aperture for portraits or low light, the XZ-10 leads. For specialized underwater or macro work, the TG-6’s ecosystem is more tailored.

Battery Life and Storage

You can expect:

• XZ-10: Approx. 240 shots per battery charge, uses Lithium-ion Li-50B battery.
• TG-6: Approx. 340 shots per charge, uses Lithium-ion LI-92B battery.

TG-6’s longer battery life is beneficial in remote locations where recharging may be difficult.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC storage with a single slot, with TG-6 supporting UHS-I cards allowing faster write speeds - a bonus for high-res 4K video recording or high-burst shooting.

Connectivity and Extras

• XZ-10 supports Eye-Fi wireless card for Wi-Fi transfer but lacks built-in wireless.
• TG-6 includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, enabling hands-free geotagging and faster image sharing via the Olympus app.

If you rely on quick sharing and location tracking during your shoots, the TG-6’s wireless and GPS features bring more convenience.

Price-to-Performance: Which Camera Offers More Bang for Your Buck?

The TG-6 commands a slight premium for ruggedness, modern features, and video capabilities, making it worth the extra investment if your lifestyle demands versatility and durability. If you prioritize creative manual control and faster glass for casual shooting, the XZ-10 remains a compelling option, especially on the second-hand market.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

Both cameras deliver solid performance in their respective niches, and your choice should reflect your shooting style and environment.

Choose the Olympus XZ-10 if you:

• Value bright, fast optics for creative portraits and low light
• Prefer manual exposure control (shutter/aperture priority and full manual)
• Shoot primarily in urban or controlled conditions
• Want touchscreen convenience and a lightweight compact
• Are on a slightly tighter budget or prefer buying used

Choose the Olympus TG-6 if you:

• Need a rugged camera for waterproof, dustproof, shockproof conditions
• Shoot wildlife, sports, or fast-moving action with continuous AF and 20fps bursts
• Want 4K video and GPS/geotagging features for travel/adventure use
• Desire advanced macro features like focus stacking and bracketing
• Prioritize battery life and in-field controls over extensive manual exposure modes

Wrapping Up: Your Next Steps

This detailed comparison should give you a clear understanding of what each camera brings to the table. Remember, the best camera aligns with your creative goals more than raw specs.

If you’re new to photography and require all-weather durability for exploration and family events, the TG-6 offers unmatched versatility and resilience.

If you’re a control-focused photographer who enjoys manual settings, bokeh, and casual travel photography, the XZ-10 remains a charming, capable choice.

For both, I highly recommend trying them in person if possible - feel the ergonomics, test focusing speed, and view image quality firsthand.

Additionally, check out compatible lenses and accessories, especially for the TG-6 if underwater or macro photography excites you.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera become a trusted creative companion!

If you found this useful, consider sharing it with fellow photographers exploring the compact camera market, and check back for our lens and accessories guides to get the most of your Olympus compact setup.