Olympus TG-810 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera involves balancing your creative goals, technical needs, and budget constraints. Today, we dig deep into two notable compact offerings from the early 2010s: the rugged Olympus TG-810 and the sleek Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2. Though both are compact cameras, they aim at different user profiles and shooting scenarios. With over 15 years of hands-on camera testing and evaluation, we’ll guide you through key strengths and limitations in sensor technology, image quality, ergonomics, performance, and practical use cases.

By the end, you'll be equipped with expert insights to confidently decide which camera better complements your photography journey - whether you need waterproof protection or an ultra-portable travel companion.

First Impressions: Compact vs. Rugged – Physical Design and Handling

Let’s start with something tactile - the cameras' size, weight, and build, which hugely influence how you interact with them day to day. The Olympus TG-810 is designed as a rugged compact, optimized for use in adventurous environments. The Panasonic FP2 focuses on ultra-compact portability and discreetness.

The TG-810's 26 mm depth feels solid in the hand, with rubberized contours providing confidence during rough use. It’s built to survive underwater (up to 10 meters), drops from 2 meters, dust, and freezing temperatures down to -10°C - a crucial advantage if you shoot outdoors in tough environments.

The Panasonic FP2 is sleek and minimal, slipping easily into pockets, making it ideal for casual urban or travel photography where discretion and weight matter. However, the ultra-thin profile limits grip comfort and physical controls.

Layout and Controls – How Intuitive is Your Interface?

An effective camera isn’t just about specs. The control scheme, button placement, and display interface greatly affect how quickly you can operate, especially in spontaneous shooting moments.

• Olympus TG-810 features straightforward, robust buttons designed to be used even with gloves or wet hands. The layout is minimal but practical given its rugged role.
• Panasonic FP2 minimizes buttons to maintain its svelte form. It lacks dedicated physical dials like shutter or aperture priority, relying mostly on menu navigation.

Neither camera offers manual focus or exposure modes. Both are fully automatic consumer models, suitable if you prefer a point-and-shoot experience - but not ideal if manual control is a priority.

Sensor and Image Quality Analysis

Both cameras utilize CCD sensors sized 1/2.3" (about 28 mm² sensor area in TG-810 vs 27.7 mm² in FP2) with a resolution near 14 megapixels.

Technical Insights:

• Both sensors are standard for compact cameras of their era, offering similar maximum megapixel counts.
• The Panasonic has a significantly higher maximum ISO 6400 (vs. 1600 on Olympus), potentially yielding better performance in very low light, albeit with noise trade-offs typical for small sensors.
• Both cameras rely on CCD (charge-coupled device) sensors, known for good color rendition but often limited dynamic range and higher noise at elevated ISO compared with contemporary CMOS.

Practical Implication: You can expect decent image quality in bright conditions from both. Low-light shooters will find the Panasonic’s extended ISO more versatile, though image noise will be a factor in very dark scenes.

Lens and Zoom Versatility

Lens quality and focal length range hugely impact composition and creative control.

Olympus provides a wider zoom at a slightly wider starting focal length - 28mm vs 35mm - giving you more capacity for landscapes or interiors. Its 3 cm macro focusing is impressively close for a rugged camera, excellent for detail shots.

Meanwhile, Panasonic’s lens is faster at the wide end (f/3.5 vs f/3.9). Its optical image stabilization system can sometimes outclass sensor-shift variants, providing steadier shots, especially for telephoto zoom or video.

Display and User Interface Experience

Screen quality affects composition, reviewing shots, and menu navigation.

The Olympus boasts a 3-inch, 920k dot Hypercrystal LCD, which is bright and quite usable even in sunlight - ideal for outdoor adventures. The Panasonic’s smaller, lower-resolution screen is less sharp, impacting focus confirmation, especially under bright daylight.

Neither has touchscreen capabilities or an electronic viewfinder, which you’d expect given their entry-level compact natures.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Reliable autofocus and burst shooting are vital in action, wildlife, or sports photography.

Olympus TG-810 offers face detection and focus tracking, which help when shooting people or moving subjects, albeit autofocus speed is modest. Panasonic FP2 lacks face detection but delivers faster burst rates (5 fps), better for fleeting action, though with less sophisticated AF tracking.

For wildlife or sports photography, neither is ideal, but Panasonic’s higher burst speed and slightly faster top shutter speed may edge out for casual users.

Video Capabilities

For many today, video is an integral part of a camera's value.

Both capture HD video at 720p30fps, which today is considered modest but common at their launch. Olympus records in efficient H.264 with sensor-shift stabilization supporting smoother handheld video.

Panasonic outputs Motion JPEG (MJPEG), a less compressed format with larger file sizes and generally lower quality compared to H.264. Neither camera offers professional connectivity like mic inputs or headphone jacks.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Long shoots and convenience require good battery endurance and connectivity.

Olympus offers modest battery life for the class (220 shots typical). Its GPS functionality is a standout for geotagging, very useful for travel and adventure documentation.

Panasonic FP2 lacks wireless and GPS but features limited internal storage alongside SD card, allowing snapping without a memory card - handy in a pinch.

Practical Uses Across Photography Genres

How do these cameras stack up in different photography styles? Here’s a snapshot, combining specs, in-the-field usability, and image quality considerations.

Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back Panasonic FP2 front Panasonic FP2 screen back

Our sample images reveal both cameras deliver usable image quality in everyday scenarios, though both struggle with fine detail and high dynamic range - a reflection of their entry-level CCD sensors.

Build Quality and Durability

In a world of delicate gadgets, durability becomes a decisive factor depending on your shooting conditions.

• Olympus TG-810 is built to endure. Its waterproof and freezeproof certifications offer confidence shooting in wet, dusty, or cold environments. This makes it a great companion if you hike, snorkel, or shoot in unpredictable weather.
• Panasonic FP2 lacks environmental sealing, meaning you must take more care to avoid exposure to moisture or dust.

Value Assessment: Price-Performance Ratio

If budget is tight and you want a lightweight point-and-shoot for casual use, Panasonic FP2 delivers basic functions well at a low cost.

Seeking adventure-ready build and integrated features like GPS? Olympus TG-810 justifies its higher price with sturdiness and more well-rounded functionality.

Final Scores At A Glance

Both models excel in portability and ease of use but trail behind modern compacts in sensor performance and advanced controls. The Olympus TG-810 leads in durability and outdoor utility, whereas the Panasonic FP2 wins on speed and lightweight appeal.

Which Camera Fits Your Style? A Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

Let’s tailor recommendations for various photographic disciplines.

• Adventure and Travel Photographers: Olympus TG-810’s environmental sealing and GPS dominate.
• Street Photographers: Panasonic FP2’s low profile and fast burst speed offer advantages for candid shots.
• Macro Enthusiasts: TG-810’s 3 cm macro range outperforms the Panasonic.
• Casual Video Users: TG-810 produces more stabilized and efficient HD video.
• Budget-Conscious Buyers: Panasonic FP2 is unmatched for affordability.

Conclusion: Make Your Choice with Confidence

In summary, your choice boils down to priorities:

• Go for the Olympus TG-810 if you need a robust, weatherproof companion with good zoom range, GPS, and a crisp larger screen. It’s an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers who want camera reliability despite occasional compromises in sensor tech and image quality.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 if you value supreme portability and affordability, want simple-point-and-shoot ease, and mostly shoot in fair-weather or urban environments. The higher ISO ceiling and faster burst rate lend themselves well to casual action and some low-light scenarios, despite lacking ruggedness and advanced features.

Both cameras have aged and don’t meet the tech specs of today’s mirrorless or advanced compacts but still serve well as entry-level options or backups for specialized uses. They foster creativity without intimidating complexity, helping beginners and casual shooters explore photography affordably.

Next Steps for Your Photography Journey

• Try handling each camera to assess ergonomics and control comfort.
• Test shooting scenarios that match your primary photography style.
• If possible, capture sample photos and videos in your typical environments.
• Consider stocking up on compatible accessories like extra batteries, memory cards, or protective cases.

Photography is a deeply personal experience, and equipment supporting your vision matters. The Olympus TG-810 and Panasonic FP2 offer different paths - choose the one that resonates most with your creative goals, budget, and shooting conditions.

Happy shooting!