Olympus TG-310 vs. Samsung WB850F: A Deep Dive Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the right compact camera often demands balancing a variety of features - from sensor performance and ergonomics, to specialized capabilities like waterproofing or zoom reach. In this detailed comparison, I dissect two quite distinct compact models aimed at different user segments: the Olympus TG-310, an early 2011 rugged waterproof compact, and the Samsung WB850F, a 2012-era small sensor superzoom with notable imaging versatility. Both cameras deploy 1/2.3" sensors and fixed superzoom lenses but diverge significantly in design philosophy and photographic use cases.

Having tested thousands of cameras across diverse genres, I bring hands-on experience and technical rigor to compare these two across lens and sensor performance, autofocus, ergonomics, build quality, and use-case suitability, culminating in clear recommendations backed by practical assessment.

Compact Camera Showdown: Size, Handling, and Build

Physical size, weight, and controls can strongly impact shooting comfort and portability, particularly if you tend to shoot on the go or in challenging environments.

Olympus TG-310: Rugged, Pocketable Waterproof Compact

Designed primarily for adventure and outdoor use, the TG-310 sports a robust waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof shell - an appealing package for nature photographers or casual underwater shooters who prioritize durability alongside image capture.

• Dimensions: 96 × 63 × 23 mm
• Weight: 155 grams (very lightweight for a waterproof body)
• Environmental sealing: Yes
• Button design: Simple, non-illuminated but functional
• Fixed 2.7" TFT screen (230k dots) - modest resolution
• No viewfinder; reliance on LCD for framing

Samsung WB850F: Larger Superzoom with a Bright AMOLED Screen

Samsung opted for a glossy compact body favoring extended reach and zoom versatility over ruggedness:

• Dimensions: 109 × 62 × 25 mm
• Weight: 250 grams (significantly heavier and thicker)
• Environmental sealing: None - not suited for harsh or wet environments without protection
• Buttons: Non-illuminated, more extensive manual controls including aperture and shutter priority
• 3" AMOLED fixed screen (614k dots) - excellent for assessing image quality and playback indoors and outdoors

The size and weight difference, though not dramatic, impacts travel and street photographers differently - those prioritizing compactness and weather resistance lean toward Olympus, while users needing longer zoom reach and a brighter display may prefer Samsung's handling and screen quality.

Sensor Technology and Image Outcome

While both cameras share the 1/2.3" sensor size common in compact cameras, their sensor technologies vary and distinctly affect image quality potential across settings.

Olympus TG-310 Sensor Specs

• 14 MP CCD sensor
• Sensor dimensions: 6.17 x 4.55 mm (~28.07 mm² sensor area)
• ISO range: 80 – 1600 (native), no extended modes
• Antialiasing filter: Yes
• No RAW support - only JPEG output
• Image processor: TruePic III+

CCD sensors typically excel at producing pleasing colors and detail at base ISOs but tend to struggle with noise at higher ISOs compared to CMOS, hindering low light usability.

Samsung WB850F Sensor Specs

• 16 MP BSI-CMOS sensor (backside illuminated for better light gathering)
• Same physical sensor size: 6.17 x 4.55 mm (~28.07 mm²)
• ISO range: 100 – 3200 native
• Antialiasing filter: Yes
• No RAW support - JPEG only
• Image processing: Proprietary Samsung, details not fully disclosed

BSI-CMOS sensors generally outperform CCDs in low light by reducing noise and allowing higher ISOs with more retained detail, evidenced here by the WB850F's expanded ISO range.

Image Quality Overview

• Maximum image resolution is higher on the WB850F (4608 × 3456 px vs 4288 × 3216 px on the TG-310) supporting slightly larger prints or cropping flexibility.
• The Olympus excels for daylight shooting with natural color rendition and adequate sharpness, but noise rises rapidly beyond ISO 400, limiting indoor or night shots.
• The Samsung offers noticeably cleaner images at ISO 800 and above, making it more suitable for low-light scenarios including indoor and evening photography.

In practical testing, landscapes and well-lit portraits from the TG-310 appear slightly softer but pleasingly neutral, while the WB850F reveals more dynamic range and detail, retaining clarity when zooming in or cropping.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach vs. Ruggedness

Lens flexibility is paramount for many shooters when evaluating superzoom compacts, alongside aperture speed and minimum focusing distance.

Olympus TG-310 Lens Details

• Focal range: 28–102 mm equivalent (3.6× zoom)
• Aperture: f/3.9–5.9
• Macro focusing minimum: 3 cm
• Fixed lens, no filters or accessories compatible
• Optical stabilization: Sensor-shift stabilization

The relatively modest zoom range is typical of rugged compacts, prioritizing versatility over extreme telephoto reach. The lens delivers respectable wide-angle views for landscapes and moderate telephoto compression for portraits.

Macro capability is notable with a 3cm minimum focus; good for close-ups though aperture limits depth of field control.

Samsung WB850F Lens Specs

• Much broader zoom: 23–483 mm equivalent (21× zoom)
• Aperture: f/2.8–5.9
• Macro focusing minimum: 5 cm
• Optical stabilization: Lens-shift stabilization

The lens starts with a wider wide-angle (23mm) beneficial for tight interiors or expansive landscapes, and the 21× zoom dominates this comparison by enabling reach deep into wildlife or sports territory.

A brighter f/2.8 at the wide end helps low-light scenes and creative depth control, although telephoto apertures taper to f/5.9.

Lens Performance Considerations

• TG-310’s zoom range is limiting for sports or wildlife but facilitates rugged outdoor use without bulk.
• Samsung’s versatile zoom appeals to travelers and enthusiasts requiring telephoto flexibility without carrying extra lenses or adapters.
• Macro performance favors Olympus for closer focusing, although both have fixed lenses limiting optical alternatives.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speed

A camera’s capability to focus quickly and accurately underpins performance across genre applications - particularly dynamic wildlife or sports photography.

Olympus TG-310 AF Overview

• Contrast detection AF only
• Focus modes: Single AF, AF tracking, multi-area AF
• Face detection included
• Continuous shooting: 1 fps

The modest autofocus system, lacking manual focus and advanced AF modes, will suffice for casual photography but disappoint for tracking fast or erratically moving subjects.

Samsung WB850F AF Features

• Contrast detection AF
• Focus modes: Single, multi-area, center, selective AF, face detection
• Manual focus available
• Continuous shooting up to 10 fps

Samsung offers greater AF flexibility including manual focus and selective autofocus areas. This enhanced control benefits street and wildlife photographers desiring precision focus placement.

Real-World AF Performance

• Olympus tends to hunt in low contrast or low light, slowing capture speeds and risking missed shots particularly at longer focal lengths.
• Samsung’s faster burst rate and multiple AF modes support more confident capture of fleeting moments.

LCD Screens and User Interface

Ease of composing and reviewing photos in various lighting conditions is heavily influenced by LCD technology and interface design.

Olympus TG-310 Display

• 2.7-inch fixed TFT color LCD
• Resolution: 230k dots (relatively low)
• No touchscreen or articulation
• No electronic viewfinder

Samsung WB850F Display

• 3.0-inch fixed AMOLED display
• Resolution: 614k dots (far superior clarity and contrast)
• No touchscreen but intuitive control layout
• No viewfinder

The OLED richness of Samsung’s AMOLED panel significantly improves daylight visibility and provides punchy playback, an advantage for photographers on the move checking focus or exposure. Olympus’s dimmer screen is a minor frustration outdoors in bright conditions, though useful for stable shots given the rugged outdoor orientation.

Video Capabilities Analysis

Video functionality in these compacts targets casual shooters with different emphasis on resolution and speed.

Olympus TG-310 Video

• Max resolution: 1280 × 720 (HD) @ 30 fps
• Format: Motion JPEG (less efficient compression)
• No external mic input
• No 4K or advanced video features

Samsung WB850F Video

• Max resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Full HD) @ 30 fps
• Formats: MPEG-4, H.264 (better compression, quality balance)
• Slow motion modes at 240fps and 480fps (low resolution)
• No external mic input
• No 4K

Samsung clearly offers more advanced video specs suitable for casual HD content creation, while Olympus lags behind in resolution and codec efficiency, limiting video potential.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

For practical shooting, factors like file transfer, battery stamina, and memory management are crucial.

Olympus TG-310 Connectivity

• Wired USB 2.0 for PC connection
• Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility (user must supply)
• HDMI output available
• No built-in Wi-Fi or GPS
• Battery: Removable LI-42B, capacity for ~150 shots per charge
• Single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot

Samsung WB850F Connectivity

• Built-in Wi-Fi for direct image sharing and remote camera control
• Built-in GPS for geotagging
• USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs included
• Battery model: SLB-10A, official life unspecified but generally solid for 200+ shots
• Single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot

Samsung’s integrated Wi-Fi and GPS are substantial advantages for travel and social sharing, reducing reliance on external devices or apps. Olympus’s wireless only works with Eye-Fi cards, which are now obsolete, and lack of GPS weakens location metadata capture.

Specialized Use Case Evaluation

Portrait Photography

• Samsung’s higher resolution and superior low-light performance offer better skin tone rendition and fine detail capture.
• Olympus’s image stabilization and good macro focusing at 3cm aid close-up portraits but limited lens speed and ISO range restrict bokeh and shallow depth control.

Landscape Photography

• Samsung’s wider 23mm at the wide end and higher resolution provide more compositional flexibility and cropping potential.
• Olympus benefits from weather sealing for rugged outdoor conditions but lacks dynamic range and resolution depth for large prints.

Wildlife and Sports

• Samsung’s faster burst (10 fps) and extended 21× zoom trump Olympus’s 1 fps and short telephoto reach, making it more adept at capturing animals and sports action.
• Olympus ruggedness appeals for fieldwork but autofocus limitations curtail wildlife opportunities.

Street Photography

• Olympus’s compact, lightweight, and sealed body is discreet and travel-proof.
• Samsung’s larger size and glossy finish could attract unwanted attention, but advanced AF and longer zoom enable more versatility.

Macro Photography

• Olympus macro focus at 3 cm vs Samsung’s 5 cm give it an edge in close focusing precision.
• Both cameras lack specialized macro modes or focus stacking.

Night / Astrophotography

• Samsung’s higher max ISO and superior noise control provide better results in low light and astrophotography scenarios, despite small sensor size constraints.
• Olympus’s max ISO 1600 and CCD sensor noise limit its usability after dusk.

Video

• Samsung’s full HD and slow-mo modes make it more attractive for casual videographers.
• Olympus video quality is comparatively limited.

Travel

• Olympus’s compact dimensions, light weight, and environmental sealing suit adventure travel where durability is critical.
• Samsung’s zoom versatility, Wi-Fi, and GPS are better aligned with city and landscape travelers focused on image quality and sharing.

Professional Work

• Neither offers RAW support, limiting professional-level post-processing flexibility.
• Samsung’s manual exposure controls and aperture priority modes allow more creative control.
• Olympus’s ruggedness may find niche professional applications in fieldwork documentation.

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses with Visual Scores

The sample images from both cameras illustrate Samsung’s crisp detail and extended zoom framing flexibility versus Olympus’s punchy color but softer details.

Samsung’s more extensive control layout supports advanced exposure tweaks, while Olympus provides straightforward controls prioritizing simplicity.

Samsung WB850F scores higher overall due to resolution, zoom, autofocus, and video capabilities, despite missing weather sealing.

Olympus TG-310 scores well on durability and portability but falls short on image quality and versatility.

This graphic summarizes suitability per photography genre, with Olympus leading rugged outdoor categories, and Samsung dominating general versatility, video, and zoom.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus TG-310 if:

• You need a lightweight and compact waterproof/dustproof camera for rugged travel, hiking, snorkeling, or freeze-prone conditions.
• Your priority is casual photography with occasional macro and landscape shooting without harsh environments.
• You value simplicity over advanced controls and can live with modest zoom and image quality limitations.

Choose the Samsung WB850F if:

• You want a versatile superzoom camera with excellent reach for wildlife, travel, and sports.
• Higher resolution, advanced AF modes, manual exposure, and superior video specs matter.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS features for modern connectivity and geotagging are important.
• You typically shoot in varied lighting and value clean images at higher ISOs.

Closing Thoughts from Experience

Having tested and compared compact cameras extensively in both controlled studio conditions and demanding outdoor situations, these two models exemplify a classic trade-off in the compact camera market circa early 2010s: rugged versatility versus zoom and feature-rich versatility.

The Olympus TG-310, while dated, remains a solid choice for photographers who demand survivability and ease of use in challenging environments without swapping lenses or using protective cases. Its sensor and lens limits keep it grounded at entry-level imaging, but the solid build should not be underestimated for adventure contexts.

The Samsung WB850F, in contrast, embraces the superzoom compact niche with a flexible focal range, a sensor that better handles varied lighting, and user control features that edge it closer to enthusiast territory, albeit at the cost of rugged reliability.

Ultimately, your choice depends heavily on what environments and photographic styles you prioritize: if durability and portability anchored around basic image capture is key, Olympus wins; if zoom reach, image quality, and connectivity dominate your priorities, Samsung outshines.

By weighing these strengths and compromises alongside the visual sample and feature score charts, enthusiasts and professionals alike can make a well-reasoned selection aligned with their shooting preferences and budget constraints. Both cameras reflect the best engineering of their day and cater to distinct photographic missions.

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This article is based on thorough hands-on testing in diverse lighting, scene, and workflow conditions and intends to equip you with data-driven insights to inform your next compact camera purchase.