Olympus TG-310 vs Panasonic Lumix ZS70: A Comprehensive Camera Face-Off for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a camera these days can feel like navigating a maze with more twists and turns than a mountain road. Today, we’re going to wade through two very different yet interesting compacts: the rugged Olympus TG-310 and the versatile Panasonic Lumix ZS70. Whether you’re an outdoor thrill-seeker or an urban explorer, understanding these cameras’ practical strengths and weaknesses will help you avoid buyer's remorse. Having put both through hands-on tests across varied photography disciplines, I’m here to break down their performance in rich detail, supported by technical analysis and real-world experience.

Before we dig in, here’s a quick visual to orient ourselves on size and handling - a surprisingly pivotal factor in real use:

Designed for Adventure or Versatility? Handling and Ergonomics Compared

Right off, the Olympus TG-310 stands out with a rugged charm. It’s shockproof, waterproof, dustproof, and freezeproof - a clear advantage if you’re rough on gear or enjoy wild environments. At just 155g and compact dimensions (96x63x23 mm), it slips comfortably into a jacket pocket or hiking pack. The fixed, non-touch 2.7" LCD screen (230k-dot resolution) is modest but functional.

Contrast that with the Panasonic ZS70’s larger, heftier build (322g, 112x67x41 mm). It’s not weather-sealed, so you’ll want to be cautious in harsh conditions. However, its 3" tilting touchscreen with 1040k-dot resolution is a delight for composing tricky angles or selfies (which the TG-310 lacks support for). The Panasonic also sports an electronic viewfinder (1166k-dot), a feature the Olympus has none of, which greatly aids framing in bright sunlight or fast-action contexts. Here’s a side-by-side of their top plate and controls - note the ZS70’s more extensive manual dials and buttons:

From my experience, the TG-310 is straightforward - great for beginners or travelers who want point-and-shoot simplicity with durability. The ZS70, meanwhile, leans toward enthusiast users who appreciate tactile controls and manual overrides. The ergonomics of the ZS70 favor longer shoots and more challenging environments where grip and control matter.

Sensor and Image Quality: Is Bigger Really Better?

Both the TG-310 and ZS70 use the now-standard 1/2.3” sensor size. Numerically that’s about 28.07 mm² (6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor dimensions). But the Panasonic packs a higher resolution 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor compared to the Olympus’s 14MP CCD sensor. Back in my lab, under standardized settings, this translated to:

• Sharper, more detailed images on the ZS70 at base ISO (80), with images resolving cleaner fine textures.
• The BSI-CMOS sensor’s improved light gathering capability yielded better noise control above ISO 800.
• Dynamic range tests showed the ZS70 holding onto more highlight and shadow detail due to improved image processing (Venus Engine vs Olympus’s TruePic III+).

See the sensor comparison for a clear view of the technologies involved:

That said, the TG-310 is no slouch for casual photography or fun at the beach or pool, delivering vivid colors and acceptable detail for prints up to 8x10 inches. But if ultimate image quality, especially in tricky lighting, matters, the ZS70 clearly pulls ahead.

Autofocus, Speed, and Shooting Mechanics

The autofocus systems reflect their respective eras and intended use. The TG-310 offers a single AF mode with face detection and contrast-detection AF. It is limited to a single shot per second continuous shooting speed - just enough for snapshots but unsuitable for fast-moving subjects.

The Panasonic ZS70 shines here with 49 AF points, including continuous, face, selective, and tracking modes supported by contrast detection. It can shoot up to 10 frames per second, cementing its appeal for sports, wildlife, and street photographers who need to capture fleeting moments.

These differences were obvious in field tests: the Olympus struggled to lock focus on fast-moving subjects outdoors, especially at low light, whereas the Panasonic tracked subjects smoothly with minimal hunting.

Zoom and Lens: More Reach or Rugged Simplicity?

The Olympus TG-310 has a 3.6x optical zoom (28-102mm equivalent), which is respectable for a rugged compact but obviously limited in reach.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS70's lens is a game-changer: a whopping 30x zoom spanning 24-720mm equivalent. This versatility covers ultra-wide landscapes to long-reach wildlife or sports shots without swapping lenses. The tradeoff is its relatively slow aperture range (F3.3-6.4) impacting low-light performance at the long end, but optical image stabilization helps compensate during handheld use.

Both cameras focus down to 3 cm for macro shooting, but the Panasonic’s advanced autofocus modes make close-ups crisper.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing in Any Situation

The TG-310’s fixed, lower-resolution screen lets you frame images but can be tricky in bright light or for creative angles.

The ZS70’s tilting touchscreen is a joy for low, high, or awkward angles, and the touchscreen responsiveness adds modern convenience. The electronic viewfinder is bright and sharp, a major boon in direct sunlight or fast-paced shooting scenarios where LCD lag could cost you the shot.

Here’s a side-by-side to appreciate the difference:

In practical terms, the ZS70 wins hands down for composition flexibility and user interface, which can significantly impact your enjoyment and success rate during shoots.

Photo Disciplines: How Do These Cameras Perform Across Genres?

Portrait Photography

The TG-310 has face detection but no eye detection autofocus, and with a smaller zoom range, your framing options for tight portraits are limited. Bokeh (background blur) control isn’t great due to the sensor size and aperture constraints.

The ZS70 offers face and eye detection, faster AF, and a longer zoom that lets you create pleasing compression and bokeh effects by zooming in. Skin tone reproduction on the ZS70 is natural and accurate thanks to advanced color processing.

If portrait work is a priority, especially with some creative control, the ZS70’s sensor, AF, and zoom make it a better choice.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras include 1/2.3” sensors, limiting ultimate resolution for huge enlargements. However, the ZS70’s higher 20MP count delivers more headroom for cropping or printing large.

Weather sealing gives the TG-310 an advantage for shooting in harsh environments - it can handle splashes, dust, or cold conditions without worry. The Panasonic needs more care but rewards with better dynamic range and zoom for panoramic or distant scenes.

If you’re trekking rugged landscapes and want durable gear with decent output, TG-310 works well. Otherwise, the ZS70’s bigger sensor and zoom provide more creative latitude.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Olympus TG-310’s slow 1 fps continuous shooting, limited autofocus, and moderate zoom severely restrict wildlife and sports shooting.

Panasonic ZS70, with 10 fps burst, advanced autofocus tracking, and 30x zoom, gives you a fighting chance at action shots. The built-in optical image stabilization further supports handholding at longer focal lengths.

For fast action, wildlife observers, or sports fans wanting compact but capable gear, the ZS70 is in a different league.

Street Photography

Here, both have strengths and weaknesses. The TG-310 is smaller, discreet, and weather-proof - great for urban exploration in all weather. However, lack of manual controls and slower AF can limit creative potential.

The ZS70 is larger, louder, and less weather resistant, which might draw unwanted attention or be less convenient for impromptu street snaps. Yet, its touchscreen allows quick setting adjustments, and the EVF lets you shoot discreetly by keeping the camera close to your eye.

Street photographers valuing stealth might lean TG-310; those wanting creative control and speed may prefer the ZS70.

Macro Photography

Both cameras focus down to 3 cm, but the Panasonic’s advanced autofocus options, focus stacking, and post-focus features help produce sharper macro results.

The TG-310’s sensor-shift image stabilization assists handheld macro shots, but manual focus absence may frustrate close-up purists.

For serious close-up work, the ZS70’s superior AF and focus bracketing support clear the bar.

Low Light and Night/Astro Photography

The TG-310 maxes out at ISO 1600, using an older CCD sensor, and lacks a raw output format, limiting post-processing flexibility.

The ZS70 offers ISO up to 3200 natively (boostable to 6400), supports raw image capture, and has longer shutter speeds up to 4 seconds, making astro photography or night shooting more feasible.

If you’re interested in night skies or low light performance, the ZS70 again clearly edges ahead.

Video Capabilities

Here the gap is vast. The Olympus shoots 720p HD (1280x720) at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format - adequate for casual clips but no 4K or robust codec support.

The Panasonic records 4K UHD video at 30p plus full HD at higher frame rates, with diverse codecs including AVCHD and MPEG-4, offering greater flexibility and quality.

Built-in WiFi on the ZS70 enables easier file sharing and remote control, which the TG-310 lacks.

For hybrid shooters blending stills and video, the Panasonic ZS70 is clearly superior.

Travel Photography and General Use

Travel demands versatility, ease, and durability. The TG-310’s ruggedness and compact size make it an excellent companion for harsh outdoor adventures, beach or pool outings, or winter treks where gear abuse is a concern.

The ZS70, while bigger and less robust, covers more photographic scenarios thanks to manual controls, broad zoom range, image quality, and longer battery life (380 shots vs 150 shots), which is a practical advantage on long trips.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and have single card slots. Connectivity differs: TG-310 has Eye-Fi card compatibility but no built-in WiFi; ZS70 integrates wireless for fast sharing.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Neither camera fully satisfies professional-grade demands. The TG-310 lacks raw format, manual exposure modes, and extensive AF options.

ZS70, with raw support, full manual controls (shutter, aperture, exposure compensation), and focus stacking, edges closer to professional usability but remains a superzoom compact, not a mirrorless or DSLR.

Still, for photojournalists, bloggers, or casual professionals needing a compact “grab and go” backup, the Panasonic is a solid choice.

Build Quality, Battery, and Other Technical Notes

Besides the ruggedness of TG-310’s environmental sealing, it’s notable that its 2.7” fixed LCD and absence of an EVF may frustrate more seasoned users. The Panasonic’s tilting LCD and electronic viewfinder suit long days shooting.

Battery life favors the Panasonic at roughly 380 shots per charge vs around 150 on the TG-310. This is crucial for outings where charging opportunities are limited.

Both use USB 2.0 and micro HDMI outputs. The ZS70 supports self-timers with multiple shots, time-lapse recording, focus bracketing, and post-focus, enhancing creative shooting possibilities.

Price and Value Analysis

While the Olympus TG-310 is no longer sold new and usually found secondhand, it originally targeted budget-conscious consumers wanting ruggedness over features.

The Panasonic ZS70 launched at around $450 and remains a competitively priced travel superzoom offering strong specs for the money.

Here’s a snapshot of their overall performance ratings I compiled from hands-on testing and industry data:

And more importantly, genre-specific strengths, which often guide real-life decisions:

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

Who should pick the Olympus TG-310?

• You want a compact, highly durable point-and-shoot that excels in challenging environments: hiking, swimming, skiing, or dusty/damp conditions.
• You shoot primarily daylight landscapes or casual snapshots and care more about ruggedness than image quality or speed.
• You do not require raw files, manual controls, or video beyond casual HD clips.
• You want simplicity with dependable sensor-shift stabilization in a lightweight body.

Who should go for the Panasonic Lumix ZS70?

• You desire a versatile camera for diverse photography genres - portraits, travel, wildlife, street, macro, and video.
• You prefer manual control, raw shooting, and advanced autofocus for creative and technical needs.
• You want a compact superzoom with a large zoom range and superior video options.
• You value a high-res tilting touchscreen and an electronic viewfinder to improve shooting comfort.
• You’re willing to trade ruggedness for better image quality, battery life, and feature set.

Images From Real-World Shooting: Olympus TG-310 vs Panasonic ZS70

To close, here’s a side-by-side sample gallery from both cameras showcasing daylight, low light, zoom range, close-ups, and landscapes. You can see the Panasonic generally produces sharper, cleaner images with more punch and zoom reach, while the Olympus delivers punchy color pleasantly but softer detail.

Olympus TG 310 front Olympus TG 310 screen back Panasonic ZS70 front

Summing Up My Testing Experience

Over thousands of cameras tested, these two stand as archetypes of different priorities: Olympus TG-310’s rugged simplicity for adventurers meeting harsh conditions, and Panasonic ZS70’s all-round digital versatility for enthusiasts wanting creative flexibility in a compact camera.

Whichever you choose, bring your own priorities to the table. For pure durability, the TG-310 is tough to beat. For overall photographic freedom and future-proofing your shooting style, the ZS70 is a wise investment.

Dear readers, trust your hands, your eyes, and your own shooting style. And as always, happy shooting!