Olympus TG-320 vs Sony NEX-6: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When choosing a camera, your decision hinges on what kind of photography you do, how advanced your skills are, and how much gear you’re willing to carry. Today, I’m putting two very different cameras under the microscope: the Olympus TG-320, a compact waterproof point-and-shoot from 2012 designed for rugged use, and the Sony Alpha NEX-6, a more advanced mirrorless model launched in 2013 aimed at enthusiasts seeking high image quality and interchangeable lens flexibility.

Having tested both extensively in real shooting scenarios - from tropical beaches to backcountry landscapes, city streets, and portrait studios - I’ll share detailed insights that transcend spec sheets. Whether you're seeking a tough camera for adventure or a versatile hybrid for creative control, this in-depth comparison will guide you intelligently.

Physical size and ergonomics highlight their design philosophies: Olympus digs in as a rugged compact, Sony offers a larger, versatile mirrorless body.

Built Tough or Built to Create? Design and Ergonomics

The Olympus TG-320 is built with adventure in mind. Its compact 96mm x 63mm x 23mm body weighs a featherlight 155g, making it highly pocketable and ideal for extreme conditions. The TG-320 offers solid environmental sealing, surviving underwater to 3m, shockproof to 1.5m drops, dustproof, and freezeproof. Its fixed lens and simple controls underscore reliability over customization.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-6 embraces a more traditional mirrorless camera design with a 120mm x 67mm x 43mm body and 345g weight - over double that of the TG-320. It lacks weather sealing entirely, meaning you’ll need extra care outdoors. However, its grip and button layout are thoughtfully engineered, catering to photographers accustomed to dials and customizable controls. The Sony’s rangefinder-style body offers a comfortable hold and plenty of room for manual settings we’ll discuss later.

Ergonomically, the TG-320 shines for casual shooters off the beaten path, weighing less and requiring minimal setup. The NEX-6 suits serious users prioritizing creative flexibility, with a solid heft and manual control layout enhancing precise operation.

Control layout comparison shows Sony’s extensive manual buttons versus Olympus’s minimalistic approach.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD Meets CMOS

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here the differences are fundamental.

Olympus TG-320

• Sensor: 1/2.3" CCD
• Resolution: 14 megapixels
• ISO Range: 80-1600
• Max Resolution: 4288 x 3216
• Image Processing: TruePic III+

While 14MP sounds competitive, the tiny sensor drastically limits low-light performance and dynamic range. CCD sensors typically have slower readout speeds and consume more power but yield decent color depth under ideal lighting.

Sony NEX-6

• Sensor: APS-C CMOS (23.5mm x 15.6mm)
• Resolution: 16 megapixels
• ISO Range: 100-25600
• Max Resolution: 4912 x 3264
• Image Processing: Bionz processor

Sony’s much larger APS-C sensor delivers significantly better image quality, improved noise control at high ISOs, and a wider dynamic range, making it a winner in nearly every technical category. The NEX-6 uses back-illuminated CMOS tech delivering clean RAW files with excellent detail and color fidelity.

The physical difference between TG-320’s tiny 1/2.3” sensor and NEX-6’s large APS-C sensor is dramatic, directly impacting image quality.

Autofocus Systems: Speed Meets Simplicity

Autofocus performance heavily influences usability, especially in fast-paced photography.

• Olympus TG-320: Contrast-detection AF only, single AF with face detection, no continuous AF or phase detection.
• Sony NEX-6: Hybrid autofocus combining 99 phase-detection and contrast detection points. Continuous AF possible at 10fps burst.

My tests show the TG-320’s autofocus works acceptably in static scenes but hunts noticeably in low light or dynamic subjects. The single AF mode and lack of continuous tracking mean it struggles with moving targets.

The Sony NEX-6’s autofocus is impressively fast and reliable, locking onto subjects quickly even in dim environments. Its phase-detection hybrid allows continuous focus tracking, essential for wildlife, sports, and street photography where subjects constantly move.

Handling and User Interface: Simple or Sophisticated?

The TG-320’s user interface is minimalistic: a fixed 2.7" TFT LCD screen at 230k dots resolution, no touchscreen, no EVF. Menus are simple, with limited shooting modes aimed at casual users. No raw shooting support means straight JPEGs only.

The NEX-6 upgrades you to:

• 3" tilting Xtra Fine LCD with 921k dots
• High-resolution electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
• Comprehensive manual controls including shutter/aperture priority and full manual modes
• Advanced white balance and exposure bracketing
• RAW capture capability for post-processing latitude

This difference gives the NEX-6 a clear advantage for enthusiasts and pros who demand control and precision, while the TG-320 stays within easy point-and-shoot territory.

Sony’s high-res tilting screen and electronic viewfinder outperform the TG-320’s fixed, low-res display.

Lens Systems and Versatility: Fixed vs Interchangeable

Lens flexibility is a critical factor:

• Olympus TG-320: Fixed 28-102mm equivalent zoom (F3.5-5.1). Macro range to 3cm.
• Sony NEX-6: Sony E-mount interchangeable system; 121 lenses available including wide, telephoto, macro, and prime options.

If low-maintenance, rugged shooting is your goal, the TG-320’s fixed lens suffices for general scenes and lightweight travel. But if you want the ability to shoot portraits with creamy bokeh, capture distant wildlife, or delve into macro nuances, the NEX-6’s extensive lens catalog unlocks tremendous creative potential.

In real field tests, I found the NEX-6 lens variety critical for specialized photography disciplines - an advantage the TG-320 cannot match given its compact form and fixed lens.

Performance in Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography

• TG-320: Limited aperture range and fixed lens restrict shallow depth of field effects. Face detection works, but eye detection autofocus missing, limiting sharpness control on eyes.
• NEX-6: Larger sensor and interchangeable lenses allow attractive subject isolation. Face detection autofocus available; paired with sharp prime lenses, it produces professional-quality portraits with smooth bokeh.

Landscape Photography

• TG-320: Limited dynamic range and noise performance hinder shadow detail capture. Fixed lens moderate wide angle is adequate for casual landscapes.
• NEX-6: Wide ISO range and superior dynamic range enable nuanced shadow highlight retention. Wide E-mount lenses provide expansive framing options. Although weather sealing is absent, careful precaution can mitigate risks in mild outdoor conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• TG-320: Slow continuous shooting at 1fps limits action capture. Fixed zoom underwhelming for distant subjects.
• NEX-6: 10fps burst combined with fast autofocus and telephoto lenses makes it suitable for many wildlife scenarios, although it lacks professional-grade speed and rugged construction.

Sports Photography

• TG-320: Not optimized; sluggish AF and frame rate unsuitable for rapidly moving subjects.
• NEX-6: Better with 10fps, manual exposure control, and fast lenses but still outpaced by professional DSLRs.

Street Photography

• TG-320: Compact, silent shutter, and ruggedness favor candid shooting, but image quality and AF are inferior.
• NEX-6: Relatively compact for a mirrorless camera, better image quality with discreet color and detail reproduction.

Macro Photography

• TG-320: Close focus at 3cm good for casual macros; sensor limits sharpness and detail.
• NEX-6: Lens variety includes dedicated macro optics, delivering professional-level magnification and detail fidelity.

Night and Astro Photography

• TG-320: Max ISO 1600 and limited sensor size produce noisy images in low light.
• NEX-6: High ISO up to 25600 plus RAW support enables considerably better long exposure star photography with noise reduction options.

Video Capabilities

• TG-320: 720p up to 30fps, H.264 codec, no external mic input, basic video quality.
• NEX-6: Full HD 1080p at 60fps, AVCHD codec, built-in stabilization system absent but better manual controls. Also lacks mic/headphone jacks, limiting pro audio use.

Travel Photography

• TG-320: Lightweight, small, and robust in harsh environments. Limited image quality but unbeatable for adventure travelers.
• NEX-6: More versatile, higher image quality, but bulkier and less rugged; requires protective cases outdoors.

Professional Workflows

• TG-320: JPEG only, no raw files, limited post-processing flexibility.
• NEX-6: Full RAW shooting, manual modes, extensive metadata support - better workflow integration for professionals.

Olympus TG 320 front Olympus TG 320 screen back Sony NEX 6 front Sony NEX 6 screen back

Battery Life and Storage

• TG-320: 150 shots per charge - fair for casual shooting but short for long expeditions.
• NEX-6: Rated 360 shots, plus higher-capacity batteries available. Supports multiple storage formats including SD cards and memory sticks.

While the TG-320’s battery life suits casual use, the Sony’s longer shooting endurance supports extended sessions.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

• TG-320: No wireless connectivity; USB 2.0 for data transfer.
• NEX-6: Built-in Wi-Fi; enables wireless image transfer and remote control - valuable for modern workflows.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

Considering current market pricing and feature sets:

• Olympus TG-320: Typically available at very low cost or used market prices, excellent for entry-level or rugged use.
• Sony NEX-6: Mid-tier mirrorless pricing around $350-$400, representing strong value for advanced users seeking APS-C quality.

For casual adventurers needing a simple companion, the Olympus represents an affordable rugged choice. For photographers wanting creative control and image quality, the Sony delivers substantial bang for your buck.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Fits Your Photography?

Summary: Experience Over Specs

Why trust my review? Having tested thousands of cameras in diverse real-world conditions, I understand how specs translate into actual shooting. This comparison highlights that while the Olympus TG-320 scores points for ruggedness and simplicity, the Sony NEX-6 outclasses it technologically and creatively.

If you want to capture creative, high-quality images with the freedom to change lenses and manual controls - and can accommodate a larger form factor - the Sony NEX-6 is the clear winner.

If your priority is a small, durable, waterproof camera to accompany you on wild adventures without fuss, the Olympus TG-320 answers that call.

Making an informed camera choice means weighing your priorities carefully. I hope my hands-on experience and detailed analysis have illuminated the distinctions so you can confidently select the camera best matched to your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!