Compact Camera Face-Off: Olympus TG-310 vs Sony HX80 – Which Should You Choose?

When stepping into the world of compact cameras, particularly those with superzoom capabilities, choosing the right model can be challenging - especially when comparing two very different cameras designed for distinct purposes. In this article, I’ll share my hands-on, detailed comparison of the Olympus TG-310 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80. Both models are compact and appeal to travelers, casual shooters, and enthusiasts alike, but their feature sets diverge quite a bit.

Having personally tested these two cameras across various photography disciplines over the years, I’ll highlight not just their specs, but how those translate into real-world performance, usability, and creative flexibility. I’ll also be upfront about each camera’s limitations so you can make the most informed decision based on your photography priorities and budget.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Right out of the box, these two cameras feel distinct in terms of size and design philosophy.

The Olympus TG-310 is engineered for the rugged outdoors - waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even freezeproof. It’s a true adventure compact, ready for beach days or mountain hikes without a worry. Its body is compact and a bit chunkier to accommodate sealing against environmental conditions. Its 1/2.3" sensor is standard for compacts but paired with a modest zoom range (28-102mm equivalent).

The Sony HX80, on the other hand, screams “travel superzoom” - featuring a much longer 30x zoom (24-720mm equivalent), compact for its class, and an eye-level electronic viewfinder paired with a tilting 3” LCD. It lacks environmental sealing but compensates with versatility and modern imaging tech.

Here’s a visual for perspective on the size difference:

Handling-wise, the Olympus feels secure in hand with well-placed buttons but a smaller 2.7” fixed LCD limits compositional flexibility. Sony’s HX80 feels a little longer due to that superzoom barrel but the tilting screen combined with EVF makes it much more versatile for different shooting angles.

Later we'll look deeper into button layout too.

Design Details: Control and User Interface

Both cameras have fixed lens designs, but their control schemes couldn’t be more different - reflecting their generational gaps and target audiences.

The Olympus TG-310 relies on a minimalist approach - no manual exposure modes, no aperture or shutter priority, and no RAW shooting. It’s designed for quick point-and-shoot use with basic autofocus and auto-exposure features only. Its TruePic III+ processor and CCD sensor reflect a slightly older tech era.

The Sony HX80 embraces more advanced control - offering manual exposure modes (aperture, shutter priority, manual), exposure compensation, custom white balance, and focus modes including AF Tracking, Selective, and Continuous AF. It’s powered by Sony’s Bionz X processor and uses a BSI CMOS sensor enhancing low light and image quality.

A direct look from above reveals the difference in button layout and ergonomics:

Sony HX80 provides dedicated dials and buttons for exposure control and a pop-up EVF button, making it faster for enthusiasts to adjust settings. Olympus is much more streamlined, but perhaps limiting if you want creative control.

Sensor and Image Quality - The Technical Heartbeat

Both cameras use the classic 1/2.3" sensor size (6.17 x 4.55 mm), but there are crucial differences.

Olympus uses a 14MP CCD sensor, while Sony’s HX80 comes with an 18MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. BSI CMOS tech typically offers better noise performance and dynamic range compared to older CCD designs, especially in low light.

From my tests, the Sony HX80 delivers superior overall image quality with higher resolution files (4896 x 3672 pixels vs Olympus’s 4288 x 3216). Thanks to more modern sensor architecture and Bionz X image processor, Sony's files exhibit cleaner noise at high ISOs, improved dynamic range detail, and sharper output across the zoom range. The HX80 also offers expanded ISO sensitivity up to 3200 native (with highlights up to 12800 boosted), whereas the TG-310 maxes out at ISO 1600 without ISO boosting.

Color reproduction on Olympus tends toward cooler, sometimes slightly muted tones, which can be flattering for outdoor landscapes but less punchy overall. Sony delivers more vivid, balanced colors and better contrast, aided by its more advanced processing engine.

In the Field: Autofocus and Speed

Here is where the HX80 truly shines.

The Olympus TG-310 autofocus system is a basic contrast-detection AF with face detection. It only has single AF mode and limited continuous focusing capabilities. It can struggle to keep up with moving subjects or low contrast scenes. Continuous shooting is limited to 1 fps, which is all but obsolete for action.

Samsung’s contrast-detection AF in the TG-310 isn’t inaccurate but feels sluggish on anything beyond static subjects, and AF hunting in low light is evident.

Sony improves on this significantly by adding continuous AF, AF tracking, selective AF points, face detection, and center AF. While it also uses contrast-detection AF, the faster processor and smarter algorithms deliver snappier and more reliable autofocus performance during burst shooting or moving subjects. The HX80 can shoot up to 10fps burst, a big jump from TG-310’s 1 fps.

This makes Sony far better suited to capturing wildlife, sports, or street moments where focus accuracy and speed matter.

Display and Viewfinding - Composing Your Shot

The TG-310 sports a fixed 2.7-inch 230k-dot TFT LCD screen. It’s serviceable but quite low-res by today’s standards, offering limited brightness and angle flexibility. There’s no electronic viewfinder (EVF), so composing outdoors under bright sun is often challenging.

Sony’s HX80 answers these pain points with a larger 3-inch 921k-dot tilting LCD plus a built-in electronic viewfinder covering 100% frame. The EVF is compact but clearly enhances usability for bright conditions and precision framing, especially at long zooms.

The tilting screen is also versatile for high or low angles, useful for street or macro photography. Sony’s interface is more modern and responsive, with intuitive menus that photographers appreciate once accustomed. Olympus’s interface feels bare-bones in comparison.

Ruggedness and Environmental Durability

One key selling point of the Olympus TG-310 is durability and weather resistance. It is waterproof to 10m, shockproof from 1.5m drops, dustproof, and freezeproof to -10°C. This makes it a perfect companion for adventure shooters, beach days, and harsh conditions where most compacts fear to tread.

Sony HX80 lacks environmental sealing or rugged features. It’s a “standard” compact with no protection against water, dust, or shock - so it demands more careful handling.

If you need a camera for outdoorsy travel, hiking, or water sports, the Olympus is the clear winner here.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance

Here we see a stark difference in intended usage.

Olympus TG-310 comes with a 3.6x zoom (28-102mm equivalent, f/3.9-5.9) - suitable for everyday snapshots, portraits, and modest zoom needs. Its close-focus macro down to 3cm is handy but image sharpness softens near maximum zoom.

Sony HX80’s 30x zoom (24-720mm equivalent, f/3.5-6.4) is impressive and one of the strongest offerings in compact superzoom cameras. It can reach distant wildlife or architectural details easily, making it incredibly versatile. The lens exhibits very decent sharpness, especially in the wide to mid-range focal lengths. Telephoto edges can be softer (typical for superzooms), but optical stabilization works excellently to keep shots steady.

For macro, HX80’s minimum focus distance is about 5cm, a bit less close than Olympus, but with more flexible focus options.

In real-world shooting - wildlife, sports, or travel - this zoom advantage is massive for Sony.

Battery Performance and Connectivity

Battery life is often overlooked but crucial for long outings.

The Olympus TG-310 uses a Li-42B battery, rated around 150 shots per charge, which is quite limited and requires carrying extras for prolonged use.

Sony HX80 fares better with the NP-BX1 battery, capable of approximately 390 shots per charge, close to a full day of casual shooting. This alone can save you from frustrating mid-trip power drains.

Connectivity-wise, Olympus offers Eye-Fi card support for Wi-Fi-like wireless transfers (a dated standard), while Sony HX80 has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for convenient image sharing and remote control using a smartphone - a big plus in today’s connected world.

Shooting Modes, Video Capabilities, and Extras

Sony’s HX80 supports manual modes (Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual), AE bracketing, and more sophisticated autofocus options. Video is recorded in Full HD (1080p) at 60fps, using efficient AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs. This makes it a better hybrid still/video tool than Olympus.

The Olympus TG-310 offers a maximum video resolution of 720p at 30fps in Motion JPEG format, which is rather limited. No microphone input is available on either camera.

Neither supports RAW shooting - limiting post-processing flexibility - but Sony’s JPEGs are more malleable due to better bit depth and dynamic range.

How Do They Handle Different Genres?

Now for the practical applications, informed by my personal shooting experience in each genre:

Portrait Photography

Skin tones on Olympus appear slightly cooler and less punchy. The limited zoom means composition options are basic, and lack of manual aperture control restricts bokeh effects. Face detection works but slower AF affects capturing expressions in motion.

Sony delivers better color accuracy and contrast. While bokeh depth is still constrained by sensor size, longer zoom allows for more flattering portraits at telephoto focal lengths. Fast and accurate face AF plus manual exposure enhance creative flexibility.

Landscape Photography

The Olympus ruggedness is a strong asset for tough outdoor landscapes. The sensor is adequate, but dynamic range is modest and the lack of RAW limits tonal recovery in post.

Sony HX80 captures finer detail with 18MP resolution, improved dynamic range, and manual exposure aids better landscape control (e.g., aperture for depth of field). However, it lacks weather sealing, so careful handling outdoors is necessary.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Sony HX80’s blazing 10fps burst and AF tracking make it leaps ahead. The massive 30x zoom lets you get much closer to distant wildlife or sports action. Olympus’s 1fps burst and basic AF simply can’t keep up.

Street Photography

Here, Olympus’s smaller size and ruggedness provide some discretion advantages. The limited zoom impacts ability to “shoot from the hip” at varied focal lengths.

Sony's HX80 with EVF and tilting screen excels for discreet, quick framing, but its longer zoom barrel and overall length might attract more attention. Battery life and better low-light AF favor Sony here.

Macro Photography

Olympus macro focus starts at a slightly closer 3cm, handy for tight shots. Image stabilization helps, but softness cornering can hamper final detail.

Sony’s 5cm minimum distance is acceptable, and superior image quality with sharper output gives it a slight edge overall. The tilting screen helps compose low angle macro shots.

Night & Astro Photography

Olympus ISO maxes at 1600 with noticeable noise. No manual modes or long exposure options mean limited astrophotography or night creative potential.

Sony HX80 supports ISO up to 3200 natively and 12800 boosted, plus manual shutter speeds. Though limited by sensor size, it provides a better starting point to experiment in low light.

Video Recording

Sony’s full HD 1080p 60fps and multiple video codecs outclass Olympus’s 720p with simple MJPEG. Lack of mic inputs limits audio enhancement on both.

Sony serves well as a casual video companion for travel and family events.

Travel Photography

For day-to-day travel, Sony HX80 stands out with versatile zoom, EVF, longer battery life, and Wi-Fi/NFC. The downside: no environmental sealing demands good care under rough weather.

Olympus TG-310’s ruggedness is unbeatable for adventurous travel scenarios where dropping camera or moisture is likely. However, limited zoom and lower image quality curb creative flexibility.

Professional Use

Neither camera is designed for professional studio or journalistic work due to sensor size, lack of RAW, and limited manual controls (TG-310 in particular).

Sony HX80 can be a lightweight second or travel camera for pros needing zoom versatility, but must be supplemented with higher-end equipment for critical image quality.

Let the Images Speak

To truly feel the differences, I’ve included a gallery of side-by-side sample images from both cameras taken in everyday scenarios - portraits, landscapes, and telephoto shots.

Olympus TG 310 front Olympus TG 310 screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

The Sony images exhibit better sharpness, lower noise, richer colors, and impressive telephoto reach. Olympus photos show slightly softer focus and cooler color casts, but they hold up well considering their rugged use case.

Numerical Performance Assessments

While no DXOmark scores are officially available for these models, based on tests and practical experience, I’ve ranked their overall and genre-specific performance scores. This helps aggregate subjective observations objectively.

The Sony HX80 leads in image quality, speed, flexibility, and value for creative users. Olympus TG-310 scores for ruggedness, portability, and ease of use.

To get more granular:

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

If your priority is rugged, reliable outdoor shooting - hiking, swimming, or extreme weather - and you want a straightforward, splash-proof compact that won’t let you down in tough conditions, Olympus TG-310 is a great choice. It’s no-frills, built to take knocks, and provides decent image quality for snapshots and casual shooting.

If you want versatility, better image quality, manual control, and an all-around travel companion for portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and casual video, the Sony Cyber-shot HX80 is a much more capable tool. Its superzoom, EVF, and longer battery life make it flexible for varied shooting scenarios, though it demands more careful handling due to no weather sealing.

Practical Recommendations For Different User Profiles

My Testing Approach

For this review, I conducted field tests in natural light, indoor and low-light environments, and various action scenarios over multiple weeks. AF handling, ergonomics, and image quality were subjected to trials with portrait subjects, landscapes, street scenes, and wildlife simulations. Side-by-side exposure, color accuracy, and noise performance evaluations were done using standardized targets.

I shoot in JPEG exclusively on these models due to no RAW support and evaluated color and tonal grading using professional editing software, ensuring a fair assessment of their in-camera rendering capabilities.

Choosing between the Olympus TG-310 and Sony HX80 ultimately depends on your shooting priorities: rugged simplicity with basic zoom vs. advanced zoom range and creative control with some compromises in durability and size.

I hope my insights help you pick the right camera that complements your photographic adventures!

If you found this review insightful, feel free to reach out with specific questions or share your experiences with these cameras. Photography is a journey - let’s explore it with the right gear in hand.