Olympus TG-320 vs Sony Cyber-shot HX30V: A Hands-On Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to selecting a compact camera, the choices abound, and discerning photographers often weigh several critical factors – performance, features, versatility, and price. Today, we put two intriguing contenders head-to-head: the Olympus TG-320, a rugged waterproof compact built for adventure, and the Sony Cyber-shot HX30V, a small sensor superzoom promising versatile focal lengths and solid imaging. Both hail from early 2012, but cater to different photography needs. Having extensively tested these cameras myself over varied conditions and styles, this article delivers an in-depth, experience-driven comparison you can trust.

Let’s start by laying out what these cameras bring to your kit, then delve into how they perform across photography genres, technical attributes, ergonomics, and overall value.

First Impressions: Design, Size and Handling

Right off the bat, ergonomics and build quality reveal key differences. The Olympus TG-320 measures a neat 96x63x23mm and weighs just 155g. Its compact, robust body is designed to withstand the elements - waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even freezeproof. I found this ruggedness immediately appealing for travel and outdoor photography, knowing the camera won’t bail on me in tough conditions.

On the other hand, the Sony HX30V is larger and heavier, at 107x62x35mm and 254g. While not weather-sealed, the HX30V’s solid build feels substantial and well-crafted, lending confidence in daily use. It doesn’t have the hardiness of the TG-320 but offers a more versatile lens and advanced imaging features.

Both bodies sport fixed lenses and lack viewfinders, relying entirely on their LCD screens to compose shots. Sure, the TG-320’s compact profile is ideal for discretion and portability, but the HX30V's deeper grip aids extended shooting sessions comfortably.

Controls-wise, neither camera offers complex dials or extensive manual tweaks, oriented towards simplicity. The Sony edges ahead with customizable manual focus and exposure compensation – features missing from the Olympus. If you enjoy manual control, the HX30V will be more satisfying.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both models share a 1/2.3” sensor format, roughly 6.17x4.55mm, which is standard for compact cameras but smaller than larger APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors. This limits low-light performance and dynamic range compared to high-end cameras.

The Sony’s backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor is technologically superior to the Olympus’ CCD. In my testing, this translated to improved high ISO sensitivity and better dynamic range - critical for challenging lighting situations. The HX30V pushes ISO up to 12800 (though usable images typically max out much lower), whereas the TG-320 tops out at 1600 ISO.

In daylight or well-lit conditions, both deliver sharp images at their maximum resolutions, but the Sony produces marginally more detailed output due to resolution and better sensor technology. Skin tones are rendered nicely on both, though the Sony’s slight edge in color accuracy impressed me in portrait scenarios.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy

For genres like wildlife, sports, and fast-moving street photography, autofocus aggressiveness and burst rates are crucial. The Olympus TG-320 features only single autofocus with contrast detection and a slow continuous shooting speed of 1 fps, making it unsuitable for action photography. Face detection helps for casual portraits, but subject tracking is limited.

The Sony HX30V shines here with 9 AF points, face detection, and a relatively fast 10 fps burst mode (albeit with limited buffer depth). While it lacks phase detection, which more advanced cameras utilize for speed, its autofocus was responsive enough for everyday action shots in my real-world tests.

LCD Screens: Composing and Reviewing Your Shots

Sony’s higher-resolution 3-inch screen offers a clearer, contrast-rich view, ideal for framing critical details or reviewing images. The TruBlack technology also helps reduce reflections in bright light. In contrast, Olympus’ smaller 2.7-inch display is less sharp but remains functional and visible even in outdoor conditions. Neither supports touchscreen, which was typical of their era.

Photography Genres Explored: Which Camera Fits Your Style?

Let me break down how these cameras perform across popular photography disciplines, based on my hands-on experience.

Portrait Photography

Portraits depend on color accuracy, skin tone reproduction, smooth bokeh, and reliable face/eye detection. The Olympus TG-320 offers a modest lens with max apertures f/3.5-5.1 (28-102mm equivalent), and sensor-shift image stabilization to reduce handshake blur.

The Sony HX30V boasts an 18-megapixel BSI sensor and a much longer zoom range (25-500mm equivalent) at f/3.2-5.8 aperture. Its 9-point autofocus with face detection aids focusing on eyes even in complex scenes.

I found that:

• Sony delivers richer details and slightly better bokeh on portraits due to higher resolution and better AF.
• Olympus renders pleasant colors but limited depth of field at equivalent apertures.
• Neither camera offers eye detection autofocus, which is a given in today’s standards but nonexistent then.

Landscape Photography

Environmental shooting demands high resolution, excellent dynamic range, durability, and wide-angle capability.

• The Olympus TG-320’s 28mm wide angle is suitable, and its rugged sealed body excels outdoors in rough conditions: wet, dusty, or cold.
• The Sony HX30V offers a slightly wider 25mm and much longer zoom, though with no weather protection.

Image quality-wise, Sony’s sensor handles dynamic range and shadows better. Olympus’ CCD struggles with highlight retention but benefits from reliable sensor-shift stabilization for handheld shots. I tested both cameras on hikes; Olympus felt worry-free and lightweight, but Sony’s image output was more usable for enlargements and prints.

Wildlife Photography

To capture animals, fast autofocus, telephoto reach, and rapid burst rates are essential.

• Olympus with its 102mm max zoom (approx. 3.6x) is limited in reach and speed.
• Sony’s 500mm (20x) superzoom paired with 10 fps burst shooting is a significant advantage.

Though neither camera uses phase detection AF, Sony’s multi-area AF and face detection improved tracking moving subjects, producing more keeper shots on the fly. Olympus’ single AF point and slow shooting rate made this genre challenging.

Olympus TG 320 front Olympus TG 320 screen back Sony HX30V front Sony HX30V screen back

Sports Photography

High-action sports demand fast autofocus, continuous shooting, and low-light sensitivity.

• Sony outperforms with 10 fps capture and better ISO flexibility.
• Olympus is constrained by 1 fps burst rate and lower max ISO of 1600.

In indoor or evening sports scenarios, Sony’s images showed less noise and better AF lock, though neither camera can replace a DSLR or mirrorless system for serious sports.

Street Photography

Discretion and portability help street shooters.

• Olympus’ compact and rugged body is ideal for candid shots and risky environments.
• Sony, while larger, offers more zoom versatility and screen clarity but less concealability.

I found Olympus easier to carry around all day, but Sony produced sharper extracted details in varied light.

Macro Photography

Close-up capabilities differ:

• Olympus’ macro focus starts at 3 cm - great for flower or small object shots.
• Sony can focus at 1 cm - offering closer detail and magnification.

Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization aids in avoiding blur in tightly framed macros, but Sony’s higher resolution gives more cropping room.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light performance and noise control are critical.

• Sony’s BSI CMOS sensor shines here with ISO pushing to 12800. In practical terms, ISO 800-1600 produced cleaner images than Olympus at similar values.
• Olympus CCD has more noise at ISO1600; max shutter speed 1/2000s is fine but limited longer exposure control limits astrophotography.
• Neither camera has specialized astro modes.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus TG-320 offers 720p HD video at 30fps in MPEG-4/H.264 formats.
• Sony HX30V delivers full HD 1080p at 60fps and several other resolutions, encoded in AVCHD – a more professional format.

Neither has built-in microphones, headphone jacks, or advanced stabilization for video beyond optical/image stabilization in stills. Sony’s higher frame rate and resolution clearly make it the better choice for casual video capture.

Travel Photography

Travel entails varied shooting styles, battery life, and size.

• Olympus is lighter, tougher, and has decent battery life (~150 shots).
• Sony gives more battery (~320 shots), longer zoom, and GPS tagging.

The lack of wireless connectivity on Olympus contrasts with Sony’s built-in Wi-Fi for image sharing and GPS location stamping, useful for organizing large travel photo libraries.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

The Olympus TG-320 is explicitly marketed as a tough camera - waterproof down to specific depths, dustproof, shockproof (to a degree), and freezeproof. From my outdoor trials, it lives up to these promises, an ideal companion for hikers, snorkelers, and adventure photographers.

The Sony HX30V lacks any environmental sealing. It’s a compact superzoom good for general use but requires more careful handling outdoors.

Lens and Optical Features

Sony’s superzoom lens dominates in versatility, enabling everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wild animals. Olympus is more limited but benefits from its ruggedness.

Both cameras include image stabilization: Olympus uses sensor-shift (typical for this era), while Sony employs Optical SteadyShot, which I found more effective at reducing blur, especially at telephoto lengths.

Battery Life and Storage

• Olympus TG-320 uses a LI-42B battery, delivering ~150 shots per charge - relatively low.
• Sony HX30V’s NP-BG1 battery gives ~320 shots, twice as much, suitable for longer shoots without frequent recharging.

Storage options are similar, both supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The Sony also supports Memory Stick Duo variants - a Sony proprietary format.

Connectivity and Extras

Sony HX30V includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, useful for travelers to tag photos and quickly offload images to mobile devices. Olympus TG-320 lacks any wireless features, limiting instant sharing.

Both offer HDMI and USB 2.0 connections for image transfer.

Summing Up Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus TG-320

Pros:

• Rugged, waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof design
• Compact and lightweight for adventure and travel
• Sensor-shift image stabilization helps handheld shooting
• Adequate image quality in good lighting
• Easy to use with simple controls and reliable focus lock

Cons:

• Limited zoom range (3.6x)
• Max ISO 1600 limits low-light ability
• Slow autofocus with single point only
• Low continuous shooting speed (1 fps)
• Screen resolution and size are modest
• No wireless connectivity or GPS
• Battery life only around 150 shots

Sony Cyber-shot HX30V

Pros:

• High resolution 18MP BSI CMOS sensor for better image quality
• 20x optical superzoom (25-500mm equivalent)
• Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
• Fast autofocus with 9 AF points and face detection
• 10 fps continuous burst shooting
• Full HD 1080p video at 60fps (AVCHD format)
• High-resolution 3" screen with TruBlack technology
• Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS functionality
• Longer battery life (~320 shots)

Cons:

• No weather sealing
• Heavier and bigger than Olympus
• Slower max shutter speed than Olympus
• No external microphone or headphone jacks for video
• Limited manual exposure options in comparison to higher-end cameras

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus TG-320 if:

• You need a tough, reliable compact for extreme outdoor, underwater, or adventure use.
• Your photography is casual and focused on travel, landscape, or snorkeling.
• Portability and weather resistance are top priorities.
• You want simple operation with focus on durability over advanced features.

Choose the Sony HX30V if:

• You want a versatile superzoom camera for travel, wildlife, portrait, and everyday shooting.
• You need high-resolution stills and full HD video at decent frame rates.
• You prefer better autofocus performance, faster continuous shooting, and more manual control.
• Wireless connectivity and GPS geotagging are important for your workflow.

Final Thoughts

Both the Olympus TG-320 and Sony HX30V hold unique appeal that serves distinctly different user types. From my extensive testing, I believe the Olympus is an excellent protective companion for active photographers venturing into extremes. Conversely, the Sony offers an all-around powerhouse for enthusiasts seeking image quality, zoom versatility, and smart tech features.

Understanding your shooting style and environment is key. Neither camera competes with modern mirrorless systems or DSLRs but can still be dependable companions for casual and enthusiast photographers prioritizing either ruggedness or zoom range.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you decide which camera aligns best with your needs. Remember, hands-on testing where possible always adds valuable insights before your purchase. After all, buying the right camera is about matching technical specs with real-world usability - and that is where experience counts.

Happy photographing!