Olympus TG-320 vs Panasonic Lumix G6: A Practical Comparison for Every Photographer

Photography is a vast, ever-evolving craft, and choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a jungle. Today, I’m sharing my hands-on experience comparing two distinctive models from different eras and categories: the Olympus TG-320, a rugged waterproof compact from 2012, and the Panasonic Lumix G6, a versatile entry-level mirrorless from 2013. These cameras cater to very different users and needs, so understanding their real-world strengths and trade-offs is key.

I’ve tested both extensively - across portrait, landscape, wildlife, and video - to help you see beyond spec sheets and decide which camera fits your creative ambitions and shooting style best.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Size, Build, and Handling

Before diving deep into performance, handling and ergonomics set the tone for any photographer’s experience.

The Olympus TG-320 is a triumph of rugged compact design - small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket, and built to endure the elements. The camera’s dimensions are a modest 96 x 63 x 23 mm, tipping the scale at a featherlight 155g with battery and card. Its waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof features make it a natural companion for adventure seekers who want an easy, durable point-and-shoot.

Contrast this with the Panasonic G6, which is considerably larger at 122 x 85 x 71 mm and heavier at 390g. It follows the traditional DSLR-styled mirrorless form factor, offering a more substantial grip and a sprawling control layout. While not weather-sealed, it is ergonomically designed for extended periods of shooting with easy access to dials and buttons.

Looking at their top views reinforces this: the G6’s SLR-like architecture with a pronounced electronic viewfinder hump and extensive control rings caters to photographers seeking manual control and customization. The TG-320’s minimalist top plate favors simplicity with fewer buttons, reflecting its compact tourist-friendly ethos.

My takeaway: If you want a tough, pocketable grab-and-go camera, the TG-320 excels. If you favor a more tactile, versatile control experience for manual photography, the G6’s design is much more satisfying.

Sensors and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

The sensor and processor make a huge difference in image resolution, dynamic range, noise management, and ultimately, image quality.

The Olympus TG-320 houses a 14-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring only 6.17 x 4.55 mm. This small sensor naturally limits image quality, especially in low-light and dynamic range. It's paired with the TruePic III+ processor, which is optimized for compact camera JPEG processing rather than raw fine control.

The Panasonic Lumix G6 sports a much larger Four Thirds CMOS sensor at 17.3 x 13 mm with 16 megapixels - roughly 8x the sensor area of the TG-320. This translates into significantly better light-gathering ability, lower noise at high ISO, greater depth of field control, and the flexibility to shoot in RAW format.

In practical terms, the G6 delivers crisper images with richer colors, smoother gradients, and better dynamic range. The TG-320’s sensor is serviceable for daytime snapshots but struggles with noise beyond ISO 400 and has limited flexibility in post-processing due to lack of RAW support.

This impacts portraits and landscapes particularly:

• Portraits: The G6’s sensor paired with fast lenses produces attractive skin tones and natural bokeh separation. The TG-320’s smaller sensor and less versatile lens offer weaker background blur and a less nuanced tonal range.
• Landscapes: I found the G6’s dynamic range far superior in preserving highlight and shadow detail, especially in forested or backlit conditions. The TG-320’s JPEGs often clipped highlights and crushed shadows even in good light.

Viewing and User Interface: How You Compose Matters

Shooting experience is strongly influenced by screen quality and viewfinder usability.

The TG-320 features a modestly sized fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD with 230k dots, which is bright but has limited resolution and no touchscreen. There’s no viewfinder at all, so composition relies solely on this screen - not ideal in bright sunlight.

Contrast this with the G6’s 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen boasting 1.03 million dots with a wide viewing angle. The LCD pivots to suit shooting angles from low or high positions, or even selfies. Adding to control confidence is a high-res electronic viewfinder offering 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification, a feature missing on the TG-320. It makes precise manual focusing, especially in bright outdoors, much easier.

The Panasonic’s touchscreen aids intuitive menu navigation, flick focusing, and touch-release shutter options, speeding up operation in the field. The Olympus user experience is more button-driven and less customizable.

Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Handling Fast Action

In my years of testing cameras, autofocus speed and tracking are paramount for wildlife and sports photography.

The Olympus TG-320 utilizes contrast-detection autofocus with face detection but limited focus points and no continuous AF or tracking for moving subjects. Its single-shot continuous shooting mode tops out at a sluggish 1 fps, making it unsuitable for catching fast action.

The Lumix G6 jumps ahead with 23 AF points and continuous AF, including subject tracking and face detection. Its burst rate of 7 fps allows capturing dynamic sports moments and running wildlife with confidence.

Though both cameras use contrast-detection AF rather than phase detection, the G6’s processor and AF algorithms make for noticeably faster and more accurate focusing in daylight and low light. The TG-320, by contrast, is better suited for still scenes, travel snapshots, or casual family photos.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

One clear advantage of the Panasonic G6 is compatibility with Micro Four Thirds lenses - an extensive lineup exceeding 100 lenses spanning ultra-wide to super-telephoto, primes to zooms.

This lets photographers tailor their tools precisely: a fast 25mm f/1.7 for portraits, a 100-300mm lens for wildlife telephoto, or macro options with remarkable close-focusing ability. Combined with shooting in RAW and manual controls, the G6 is a serious creative platform.

The Olympus TG-320, with its fixed 28-102 mm equivalent F3.5-5.1 zoom lens and 3.6x zoom range, functions as a versatile but basic point-and-shoot. Its 3cm macro focusing mode is a fun feature for close-ups but lacks precision or magnification compared to interchangeable lens systems. Image stabilization is sensor-shift on the TG-320, useful for casual handheld shots.

Weather Resistance and Durability: Ready for Anything?

One of the TG-320’s standout qualities is its ruggedness: waterproof to 3 meters, shockproof from 2 meters, dustproof, and freezeproof.

If you’re an outdoor photographer who prioritizes durability over image quality - for example, hiking, snorkeling, or rugged travel - the TG-320 is a compelling choice. It can survive rough conditions where DSLRs or mirrorless cameras need protective housings.

The G6 does not offer weather sealing and needs more careful handling in challenging environments. On the flip side, the G6’s build quality supports demanding everyday use, especially indoors and fair weather.

Low Light and High ISO Performance

The TG-320’s small sensor hits limitations in low light. Its maximum ISO tops at 1600, but noise degrades images noticeably past ISO 400 in real-world use.

The G6 shines here with native ISO sensitivity up to 25600 and a clean output around ISO 1600 to 3200 thanks to a significantly larger sensor and advanced noise reduction.

For street or event photographers needing good low-light performance handheld, the G6 delivers cleaner, sharper shots with more usable shutter speeds.

Video Capabilities: Moving Images Matter

I personally put both cameras through rigorous video shooting tests, from casual vlogging to semi-professional projects.

The Olympus TG-320 maxes out at 720p HD at 30 fps - serviceable but not impressive. It offers no microphone input or in-body video stabilization, limiting audio quality and smoothness.

The Panasonic G6 considerably outperforms here with full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps, uncompressed HDMI output, microphone input - features that make it a favorite for enthusiast videographers and YouTubers. The articulated touchscreen enhances framing flexibility during handheld video. The built-in flash adds creative lighting options for video as well.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Battery life impacts workflow and shooting duration heavily.

The TG-320 uses a LI-42B battery rated for around 150 shots per charge - typical for compact cameras of its time, but limited for extended sessions. Its single SD card slot supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

The Lumix G6’s battery stamina doubles this, boasting about 340 shots per charge, reflecting more efficient power management. It also uses a single SD card slot compatible with various formats.

Both cameras offer USB 2.0 and HDMI output for transferring files or connecting to displays, but only the G6 has built-in wireless capabilities (Wi-Fi and NFC) easing image transfer to smartphones and social sharing.

Putting It All Together: Sample Images and Test Results

Images speak volumes, so let me share some sample work from both cameras illustrating their capabilities and limitations.

Olympus TG 320 front Olympus TG 320 screen back Panasonic G6 front Panasonic G6 screen back

• The TG-320 struggles to render dynamic range in outdoor shots, producing flatter skies and less detailed shadows.
• In close-ups, TG-320’s limited optical zoom and small sensor reduce subject isolation.
• The G6’s images show far better clarity, color accuracy, and tonal gradations.
• Portraits easily benefit from the G6’s fast lenses and sensor size, creating natural skin textures.
• Low-light interiors and evening street scenes shot on the G6 have less noise and better exposure control.

Detailed performance scores also underline these observations:

And if we look at genre-specific strengths:

The G6 leads across the board except for rugged outdoor and travel convenience, where the TG-320’s durability and pocketable size earn it a niche.

My Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

After extensive hands-on testing and technical evaluation, the choice boils down to your photography priorities and budget.

Olympus TG-320: Best For Casual Adventurers and Rugged Travel

If you value a tough, waterproof camera that can go anywhere with minimal worry - hiking, snorkeling, beach holidays - the TG-320 is a compelling lightweight travel partner. Its ease of use and durable design fit casual shooters wanting quick snapshots without fuss.

However, expect significant compromises in image quality, shooting flexibility, and video performance. This camera won’t satisfy enthusiasts looking for control, low-light capability, or large prints.

Panasonic Lumix G6: Ideal For Enthusiasts Seeking Creative Flexibility

The Panasonic G6 is a gateway mirrorless that punches above its price class, boasting a larger sensor, interchangeable lenses, fast autofocus, full manual controls, and excellent HD video.

If you want to refine your skills across portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, or video - and crave the versatility to upgrade lenses and accessories - the G6 hits the mark. It suits photographers who appreciate the tactile experience of an SLR-style body and those who prioritize image quality and adaptability.

It requires some investment in lenses and learning manual modes but rewards you with high-quality imagery and creative freedom.

Recommendations Based on Photography Types

• Portrait Photography: Go Panasonic G6 for superior sensor size, manual focus, and fast lens options for flattering bokeh and skin tones.
• Landscape Photography: Lumix G6’s better dynamic range and resolution dominate the TG-320.
• Wildlife and Sports: G6’s burst rate and continuous AF outperform TG-320’s 1 fps and limited focusing.
• Street Photography: TG-320 offers compact ruggedness, ideal for urban explorers, but G6’s low light abilities make it excellent for night street scenes if you can manage the size.
• Macro: Neither is specialized, but G6’s lens lineup affords more precise macro accessories.
• Night and Astro: Panasonic’s larger sensor and high ISO trump the TG-320.
• Video: The G6’s 1080p60fps with microphone input clearly outclasses the TG-320.
• Travel: For extreme durability and pocket size, TG-320. For versatility and image quality, G6.
• Professional Work: G6 with RAW support and lens options is the only choice.

Closing Notes on Value and Longevity

Both cameras are now somewhat dated but represent different paths photography technology took in the early 2010s. The TG-320 targets the casual adventurer with ruggedness; the G6 offers a complete learning and creative platform at an accessible price point.

For enthusiasts or professionals considering entry-level gear or backups, I recommend prioritizing sensor size and control flexibility - the G6 checks those boxes. But for an indestructible everyday travel companion, the TG-320 cannot be beaten for sheer rugged convenience.

I’ve enjoyed testing both across numerous scenarios, and with this in-depth comparison, I hope you feel equipped to choose wisely based on what you value most in your photographic journey.

If you want a quick refresher on critical features, here’s a final side-by-side look:

Thanks for reading this side-by-side exploration. I encourage you to consider your shooting lifestyles and photo goals carefully. From rugged adventure buddies to creative all-rounders, the TG-320 and G6 both deserve a place in the history of accessible photography gear - and maybe in your camera bag too.

Happy shooting!

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