Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55: A Detailed Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing the right compact camera can be deceptively tricky, especially when models hail from different design philosophies - as is the case with the ruggedized Olympus TG-630 iHS and the sleek, ultracompact Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55. Both target enthusiasts who demand convenient portability but diverge sharply in feature prioritization. Having spent extensive hands-on hours with these cameras in varied real-world conditions, I’m keen to dissect their merits and shortcomings for photographers ranging from casual travelers to enthusiasts looking for an emergency buddy camera or even a specialized tool.

Our comprehensive analysis navigates through sensor performance, ergonomics, autofocus behavior, and use-case suitability - integrating objective measurements alongside practical experience. Let’s dive right in.

At a Glance: Size, Build, and Handling – Ergonomics Matter

First impressions count, and for any camera used in the field, physical comfort and durability are paramount. The Olympus TG-630 iHS lives up to Olympus’ reputation for rugged gear designed for harsh environments. It’s waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof, and crushproof - a true go-anywhere compact. Its dimensions are 98 × 66 × 22 mm with a weight of 167g, providing a firm, reassuring grip with grippy rubberized bodywork.

In striking contrast, the Sony TX55 is a design marvel in ultra-thin compactness, measuring just 93 × 54 × 13 mm and weighing a mere 109g. Its slim body with a brushed metal finish screams pocketability but sacrifices weather sealing entirely.

This size and build comparison signals their fundamentally different roles: the Olympus aims to be your rugged adventure camera, while the Sony targets everyday, unobtrusive carry.

Handling these cameras side by side, I found the TG-630 more comfortable for extended handheld shooting, especially outdoors with gloves or wet hands - thanks to a more generous grip and tactile buttons. The Sony’s touchscreen interface and minimal buttons shine indoors or street shooting but can feel fiddly in bright sunlight.

Sensor and Image Quality: Approaching the 1/2.3” Standard with Nuance

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor - standard fare for compact cameras in this class - measuring 6.17 × 4.55 mm, an area of about 28.07 mm². The TG-630 uses a 12MP CMOS sensor paired with a conventional Bayer filter and anti-aliasing filter, while the Sony TX55 couples a 16MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor renowned for better light gathering efficiency.

In my tests, the Sony’s 16MP sensor delivered higher resolution files (4608 × 3456 px) with noticeably crisper detail at base ISO (100). Its BSI sensor technology also afforded cleaner images in low light, and the boost in resolution allows for more cropping freedom - a tangible plus for casual macro or detailed landscape shots.

Conversely, the Olympus’s 12MP sensor maxes out at 3968 × 2976 px, but Olympus’s sensor-shift image stabilization system partially compensates for its lower resolution by enabling slower shutter speeds (down to 4 seconds), producing sharp images in challenging light without resorting to a tripod. The added IS efficacy is especially relevant despite its simpler sensor specs.

Image quality verdict? For pixel-peepers demanding maximum detail and low-light noise management, the Sony edges ahead. But for versatile shooting in tough environments, Olympus’s sensor paired with stabilization yields fewer wasted shots.

Control Layout and User Interface: Balancing Simplicity with Functionality

Ease of use can make or break photographic experience - especially in compact cameras where button real estate is limited.

Viewing the top layouts side by side reveals their diverging design targets.

The Olympus TG-630’s physical buttons are larger and better spaced. It includes an easily accessible zoom toggle, mode dial, and dedicated flash control. The absence of a touchscreen means reliance on physical controls, which I appreciated during underwater or gloved shooting where touchscreens can become unresponsive or clumsy.

Sony’s TX55 relies heavily on its capacitive 3.3-inch XtraFine OLED touchscreen, flaunting a sharp 1230k-dot resolution and a more modern interface with pinch-to-zoom, swipe gestures, and on-screen focus points. This interface is intuitive for street photographers or those transitioning from smartphones but less reliable in bright outdoor conditions or while wearing gloves.

For working photographers seeking tactile confidence and quick access to essential settings without diving into menus, the Olympus feels more dependable. However, for casual snapshots and those comfortable with touchscreen navigation, the Sony’s interface is smoother and more fun to operate.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Tracking, Speed, and Stability

Autofocus systems are notoriously tricky in compact cameras. Neither model provides professional phase-detect autofocus, relying instead on contrast detection methods with varying results.

• Olympus TG-630 iHS supports single-shot AF with face detection and basic AF tracking.
• Sony TX55 offers single-shot AF with center-weighted focus area and 9 focus points, but, notably, lacks face detection.

In real-world shooting - particularly moving subjects - I noticed the Olympus struggled somewhat more to lock focus on erratic wildlife or children in motion. However, it did register faces reliably in portrait framing, a minor but meaningful advantage for amateur portraits.

The Sony takes burst shooting seriously with 10fps continuous mode (albeit at lower resolution and somewhat reduced focus tracking stability), while Olympus allows 5fps max. For sports photography or wildlife action bursts - albeit limited by lens reach - Sony’s higher fps could be an advantage, but neither camera is ideally suited for serious sports usage.

Stabilization-wise, Olympus uses sensor-shift IS, which proved highly effective practically, helping salvage handheld macro and low-light shots. Sony’s optical stabilization helped as well but felt less nimble in comparison.

Lens and Focal Length Reach: Versatility Within Limits

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses:

• Olympus TG-630: 28–140 mm equivalent, aperture F3.9–5.9 (5x zoom)
• Sony TX55: 26–130 mm equivalent, aperture F3.5–4.8 (5x zoom)

The Olympus’s longer telephoto reach (up to 140mm) offers improved framing options from a distance - a small but notable edge when shooting wildlife or detail from afar. Its macro capabilities impress with manual focus range down to 1cm, great for close-up revelations.

Sony’s lens offers a brighter aperture at the telephoto end (F4.8 vs F5.9), favoring low-light capture and subject isolation, although neither lens produces exceptionally shallow depth of field due to sensor size constraints.

Both cameras lack interchangeable lenses - a given at their price point - but considering limitations, Olympus’s longer lens reach and macro focusing distance provide a bit more creative freedom for travel and nature photography.

Durability and Environmental Sealing: Built for the Elements vs Everyday Elegance

A critical differentiator between these cameras is the Olympus TG-630’s comprehensive environmental sealing:

• Waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet)
• Shockproof from 2.1-meter drops
• Freezeproof to -10°C
• Crushproof up to 100 kgf
• Dustproof

Such ruggedness turns the TG-630 into an ideal companion for adventure photographers, hikers, divers, and those who regularly shoot in uncertain conditions.

The Sony TX55, classified as an ultracompact, does not offer any environmental sealing, demanding more caution in moisture-prone or dusty environments.

If your photographic pursuits often expose you to the elements, Olympus’s build quality is a decisive factor.

Battery Life and Storage Options: Practical Powered Shooting

Battery endurance is often overlooked in compacts but greatly impacts shooting sessions.

• Olympus TG-630 offers approximately 220 shots per charge with a dedicated LI-50B battery.
• Sony TX55 extends to about 250 shots using the NP-BN battery.

Neither camera breaks any battery life records, but the Sony’s slight advantage is welcome for travelers or those away from charging facilities.

On storage, Olympus accommodates standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards while Sony uniquely supports microSD, SDHC, and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Micro. The SD form factor (Olympus) is arguably more universal and offers more capacity headroom.

Video Capabilities: HD Capture for Casual and Social Use

Both cameras max out at Full HD (1920×1080) video capture at 60fps:

• Olympus records in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats.
• Sony adds AVCHD support alongside MPEG-4.

Sony’s video benefits from its sharper sensor and brighter lens, yielding slightly cleaner footage, especially in moderate light. Olympus’s built-in stabilization also aids smoother handheld video.

Neither model offers external microphone inputs or headphone jacks, limiting professional audio handling.

For casual social video or travel vlogging, both perform adequately; however, limitation in manual control and basic codecs restricts use for professional creative video work.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Who Excels Where?

Understanding how these cameras behave across shooting scenarios clarifies recommended use.

Olympus TG 630 iHS front Olympus TG 630 iHS screen back Sony TX55 front Sony TX55 screen back

Portraiture

• Olympus’s face and eye detection coupled with built-in IS produce pleasant skin tones and gentle background blur at telephoto focal lengths. Its ruggedness allows snap shots in unconventional locations.
• Sony’s brighter lens and higher resolution are advantageous for finer detail but lack dedicated face detection.

Landscape

• Sony’s higher megapixels and slightly wider angle (26mm) lend themselves better to landscapes, delivering sharpness and detail.
• Olympus’s rugged sealing means you can carry it on wet hikes or beach shoots without worry.

Wildlife

• Olympus’s longer zoom (140 mm eq.) is a slight edge.
• Sony’s faster burst rate helps capture quick movement but suffers in autofocus reliability.

Sports

• Neither camera is ideal for fast-paced action. Sony’s 10fps burst offers an edge in brief sequences; Olympus falls short here.

Street Photography

• Sony’s slim profile and touchscreen make it quietly unobtrusive.
• Olympus bulk and design make candid shooting less discreet but superior for harsh urban elements.

Macro

• Olympus shines with 1cm close-focus distance and effective stabilization - good for insect or flower shots.
• Sony’s minimum macro is 3cm, which is less capable.

Night and Astro

• Sony’s BSI sensor and lower noise give it advantage.
• Olympus’s IS helps longer shutter use but struggles with limited native ISO.

Travel

• Sony’s light, slim profile offers carry convenience.
• Olympus brings durability and versatility.

Professional Use

• Both lack raw support, external mic, and advanced controls - thus unsuitable as primary professional tools, but useful as secondary cameras depending on needs.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences and Omissions

Connectivity features matter for workflow and sharing:

• Olympus TG-630 has no wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/NFC.
• Sony TX55 supports Eye-Fi card connectivity, enabling wireless image transfer.

Sony thus better suits users wanting quick sharing without cables.

Neither offers GPS, which could be a limitation for travel photographers.

Value Analysis: Price vs Performance

Price-wise at launch:

• Olympus TG-630: $199
• Sony TX55: $350

The considerable price difference reflects their divergent designs.

The Olympus offers ruggedness and practical shooting flexibility at an affordable price. The Sony focuses on elegance, sharper images, and smart touchscreen controls at a premium - appealing to style-conscious enthusiasts.

With comparable sensor sizes but distinct feature priorities, the choice boils down to lifestyle and photographic goals.

Performance Summary Across Photography Genres

To encapsulate their strengths, here is a side-by-side scorecard aggregating their real-world usability in various photography types:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Matching Your Needs to the Right Camera

The Olympus TG-630 iHS carves out a unique space as an affordable, rugged companion designed for adventurous souls who prioritize durability and practical versatility over glamorous resolution or cutting-edge tech. Its formidable environmental sealing and sensor-shift IS make it ideal for underwater, sports casual, macro, and outdoor landscape shooters that need resilience and consistency.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55 delivers higher resolution, a brighter lens, and a gorgeous OLED touchscreen in an ultra-slim package. It excels as a street photography tool or travel companion for users prioritizing image sharpness, ease of use, and wireless convenience - albeit requiring more careful handling in delicate conditions.

Who Should Buy the Olympus TG-630 iHS?

• Outdoor adventurers and sports enthusiasts needing a tough camera
• Users requiring image stabilization for low light or macro work
• Budget-conscious photographers wanting reliability under harsh conditions

Who Should Buy the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55?

• Urban and street photographers valuing pocketability and touchscreen ease
• Travelers prioritizing lightweight gear with high resolution
• Casual users who want better image detail and wireless sharing options

In conclusion, both cameras reflect thoughtful trade-offs, and selecting between them warrants careful reflection on your photographic habits. From personal experience, I recommend the Olympus for durability-driven users and the Sony for those emphasizing image fidelity and portability. Either way, these cameras remain relevant reminders of how tailored design profoundly shapes photographic usefulness.

This detailed differentiation should empower you to choose confidently based on firsthand, expert-driven insights rather than mere specs. Happy shooting!