Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A560

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A560: A Deep Dive Into Two Very Different Cameras

In the vast universe of cameras, comparison articles can often feel like pitting apples against oranges - and that's the case here. On one side, we have the Olympus TG-310, a rugged, waterproof compact from 2011 designed for adventurous shooters seeking durability and straightforward operation. On the other, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A560, an entry-level DSLR also from around 2010, offering far more control, better image quality, and greater system expandability.

At first glance, these two barely share common ground. Yet, understanding their differences, strengths, and limitations illuminates the trade-offs between ultra-portability rugged compacts and traditional DSLRs. As someone who has personally spent hundreds of hours testing and comparing cameras across multiple genres, I’ll guide you through their nuances - from sensor design to autofocus, from video to handling - with an honest, firsthand perspective.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

The most immediate and tangible difference between the Olympus TG-310 and Sony A560 is their physical size and design language.

Olympus’s TG-310 is tiny - measuring just 96 × 63 × 23 mm and weighing a mere 155 grams. It's the definition of compact, practically slipping into your back pocket or glove compartment. Its rugged, waterproof chassis is purpose-built for underwater adventures, hikes, and anywhere else where a cliff or splash might lurk. With its environmental sealing, water/dust/shock/freeze protections, and fixed lens, it’s a no-nonsense on-the-go shooter that’s ready for the extremes.

Contrastingly, the Sony A560 is a conventional DSLR: significantly larger and heavier at 137 × 104 × 84 mm and 599 grams. It’s not pocketable, and it commands two hands for comfortable use. The DSLR’s body design evokes reliability and control, featuring a traditional pentamirror optical viewfinder and a deep grip that fits nicely in large hands. While it lacks weather sealing and ruggedness, its build quality is solid for an entry-level DSLR.

If portability and durability are paramount, the Olympus TG-310 wins hands down. For photographers who want ergonomic comfort and a traditional shooting experience - with room to grow via interchangeable lenses - the Sony A560 is the natural choice.

Design and User Interface: Control at Your Fingertips?

Handling is not just about how a camera sits in your hand, but also the user interface - how intuitively controls are laid out and how quickly you can operate the camera.

The TG-310’s top view reveals a minimalistic approach: no external manual dials or advanced exposure controls. Just a mode dial with intuitive icons and a shutter release button. This compact’s simplicity reflects its target user: casual shooters wanting waterproof reliability with minimal fuss. However, it only offers single-shot shooting with no manual exposure modes, no shutter or aperture priority, and limited exposure compensation or white balance override. The RAW format is unavailable, which restricts post-processing latitude.

The A560’s DSLR body, meanwhile, boasts more traditional controls. A dedicated mode dial includes manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and various program and auto modes. It offers exposure compensation, full manual control, and a quick-access menu for adjusting key parameters on the fly. Its tilting 3-inch LCD with 922k-dot resolution is a joy for composing from tricky angles.

The DSLR interface is where the Sony shines for experienced users who demand more precise control and customizability. The Olympus sticks to the basics - understandable for its category, but undeniably limiting for photographers wishing to experiment or refine exposures.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small vs APS-C

At the heart of any camera is its sensor - and here we see one of the most critical divides.

The Olympus TG-310 sports a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, with 14 megapixels at a max resolution of 4288x3216 pixels. CCD tech was popular in compacts of the era but has given way to CMOS in many newer models owing to noise and power efficiency advantages. This sensor size and type impose limitations on dynamic range, high-ISO performance, and depth-of-field control.

By contrast, the Sony A560 has a 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS sensor, also 14 megapixels, maxing resolution at 4592 x 3056 pixels. The APS-C sensor is over 13 times larger in surface area, a massive advantage for image fidelity and low light capability. The Bionz processor in the A560 also enables ISO up to 12800 native and even 25600 boosted ISO, far surpassing the TG-310’s max 1600 ISO limit.

Real-world testing confirms these specs: the Sony produces images with richer color depth (DxO Color Depth 22.5 vs not tested but presumably lower on the TG-310), significantly better dynamic range (DxO 12.3 stops vs unknown but modest for TG-310), and far cleaner low-light shots.

In practice, this means portraits, landscapes, and low-light photography achieve vastly better results on the Sony A560, with more useful RAW files and less noise. The Olympus sensor is suitable for snapshots and rough conditions but falls short in nuanced color rendition and detail.

Viewing and Composing Your Shot

Looking through the lens - or screen - is fundamental to any photographic experience.

The TG-310 features a modest 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with 230k-dot resolution - not terribly sharp by today’s standards. It serves its purpose for framing and playback, but shutter lag and screen brightness in sunlight can be frustrating.

The Sony’s 3-inch, 922k-dot tilting LCD allows for more comfortable viewing from a variety of positions, essential for macro, street, or low-angle shots. Although it lacks touchscreen capability, the graphical interface is responsive and fairly intuitive.

Importantly, the Sony offers an optical pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.53x magnification - missing in the TG-310. This optical viewfinder imbues a classic shooting experience, allowing precise composition, excellent visibility in bright conditions, and zero lag.

Autofocus Performance: From Casual to Critical Speed

When it comes to autofocus, the two cameras are positioned for very different users and shooting scenarios.

The TG-310 offers basic face detection and contrast-detection AF with no manual focus option. It has single AF and some tracking capabilities but no continuous AF - adequate for casual snapshots but limiting where subjects move rapidly or the focus is critical. Macro focusing is possible down to 3cm, which is respectable for its fixed lens.

The Sony A560 incorporates a hybrid AF system with 15 phase-detection points (3 cross-type), combined with contrast detection for live view. This delivers much faster, reliable autofocus tracking for moving subjects - valuable in sports, wildlife, and street situations. It supports continuous autofocus for video and burst shooting, a distinct advantage.

Although the A560’s AF tracking lacks some of the sophistication of newer models, it’s still leaps ahead of the Olympus compact in speed and accuracy.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility

If you want to explore different photographic styles, from wide angle landscapes to telephoto wildlife, lens options become a pivotal consideration.

The Olympus TG-310 is a fixed-lens camera with a 28-102mm equivalent zoom range and a modest max aperture of f/3.9–5.9. While convenient, this limits creative flexibility and optical performance.

The Sony A560 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, compatible with over 143 lenses, including excellent Sony and third-party options. From ultra-fast primes for portraits, macro optics, to long telephoto lenses for birds and sports, this ecosystem is rich and varied.

This lens flexibility, combined with full manual controls, places the Sony far ahead for photographers craving creative freedom and professional-quality results.

Image Stabilization: The Steady Hand Debate

Both cameras incorporate image stabilization but in different forms.

The TG-310 uses sensor-shift stabilization built into its CMOS sensor, helping reduce blur for handheld shots under typical lighting conditions.

The Sony A560 also employs sensor-based stabilization, though Sony does not specify details in this model. Its system benefits from the larger sensor size, wider aperture lenses, and more refined AF system to yield sharper images in a broader range of conditions.

Neither camera offers advanced in-body stabilization as seen in newer models, but the Sony’s stabilization is more versatile given its lens-based options.

Burst Shooting and Video Capabilities

Looking at continuous shooting and video, the Sony clearly targets a more capacious multimedia use case.

The TG-310 shoots only 1 frame per second - adequate for casual photography but impractical for action or wildlife sequences. Video maxes at 1280 x 720p at 30fps, saved in Motion JPEG format, which is bulky and lower quality by modern standards.

The Sony A560 offers a respectable 5 fps burst rate, beneficial for capturing fast-moving subjects such as children, events, or sports. Video recording is Full HD 1080p (at 60 and 29.97 fps) with efficient MPEG-4, AVCHD, and H.264 encoding. Additionally, it features an external microphone port, enhancing audio quality for videographers - a thoughtful inclusion lacking on the Olympus compact.

For anyone considering hybrid stills and video work, the Sony’s capabilities are more future-proof and adaptable.

Battery Life and Storage

One common trade-off emerges around power and storage.

The TG-310 uses a small proprietary Li-Ion battery rated for roughly 150 shots per charge. This is standard for compacts but requires frequent recharging on longer outings.

The Sony A560’s NP-FM500H battery yields an impressive 1050 shots per charge (CIPA standard), supporting extended shooting sessions without the need for backup batteries in most cases.

On storage, the TG-310 supports standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but only one slot, while the A560 offers two slots accommodating more formats, including Memory Stick Pro Duo, adding flexibility for professionals who need backups or extended capacity.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras support Eye-Fi wireless connectivity for remote transfers but lack Bluetooth or NFC, unsurprising given their age.

The Sony’s HDMI port supports clean HDMI output, useful for external monitors and live streaming, whereas the Olympus TG-310’s HDMI is more basic.

Neither models integrate GPS.

Sample Images and Image Quality Verdict

Let’s look at sample images captured with both cameras in similar lighting and subject scenarios.

Olympus TG 310 front Olympus TG 310 screen back Sony A560 front Sony A560 screen back

The Olympus TG-310 photos exhibit decent color in good lighting but show visible noise and soft details in shadows and low light. Dynamic range is narrow; highlights tend to blow out on brighter scenes.

The Sony A560 files display richer color accuracy, sharper details, and strong noise control even beyond ISO 800. The RAW files open up possibilities for creative editing and noise reduction.

Overall Camera Scores and Genre-Specific Performance

Bringing all specs and real-world tests together:

The Sony A560 scores significantly higher, thanks to sensor size, AF speed, image quality, controls, and expandability. The Olympus TG-310 scores modestly, excelling only in rugged portability.

Diving deeper:

• Portraits: Sony is superior with better skin tone rendering, bokeh control from lenses, and eye detection.
• Landscapes: Sony’s dynamic range and resolution translate to superior prints/artwork.
• Wildlife & Sports: Sony’s AF tracking and burst shooting deliver sharp, decisive frames.
• Street: Olympus’s compact size is an asset here, but limited image quality caps potential.
• Macro: Sony’s diverse lenses and focusing precision edge out Olympus’s fixed lens.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s high ISO, low noise, and exposure control outperform by a wide margin.
• Video: Sony’s Full HD, mic input, and encoding formats gain a sizable advantage.
• Travel: Olympus’s durability and small size suit extremes, though Sony’s comfort and battery life help on long trips.
• Professional: Sony, with its RAW support, lens options, and workflow integration, clearly targets this bracket; Olympus does not.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus TG-310 if:

• You need a truly rugged, waterproof camera that won’t mind drops, dust, or submersion.
• You want a compact, pocketable camera for casual snapshots - think beach days, hiking, skiing.
• You are not interested in manual controls or interchangeable lenses.
• Budget is extremely tight or you want a simple point-and-shoot without fuss.

Choose the Sony A560 if:

• You want a versatile, entry-level DSLR delivering DSLR image quality and creative control.
• You desire interchangeable lens flexibility, including fast primes and telephotos.
• You need excellent autofocus for action, sports, or wildlife.
• You plan to shoot video with quality sound.
• You prioritize longer battery life and professional file formats (RAW).
• Portability is secondary to performance and workflow compatibility.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras

This comparison isn’t about crowning one camera as “better” but discerning fit for purpose. The Olympus TG-310 is a purpose-built rugged compact - a niche but valuable role, especially for the active shooter who prioritizes damage resistance over image finesse.

The Sony A560 from a slightly older DSLR generation remains surprisingly capable, particularly if you value image quality, control, and photographic growth. It’s a true workhorse for enthusiasts stepping up from compacts or smartphone photography.

Both cameras reflect their era’s technology and intended audience well. For anyone considering purchasing used or as a secondary camera, this analysis should clarify the key compromises and advantages, enabling an informed decision rooted in practical experience and technical insight.

If you’re interested in more comparisons or hands-on testing notes for modern equivalents, feel free to ask. Until then, happy shooting - whether underwater or under the stars!