Olympus TG-810 vs. Panasonic Lumix FS12: A Veteran Compact Camera Showdown

Comparing compact cameras from the early 2010s, particularly the rugged Olympus TG-810 and the ultracompact Panasonic Lumix FS12, offers an intriguing glimpse into the evolving priorities of casual and enthusiast photographers in that era. Both models occupy very different niches: the TG-810 is built for adventurers craving waterproof, shockproof durability, while the FS12 caters to those desiring extreme portability and simple everyday use. Having spent countless hours behind the lenses of similar cameras, I’ll walk you through a deep dive on these two, analyzing ergonomics, image quality, autofocus performance, and more - to help you decide which might still hold merit in today’s world, or at least illuminate the design philosophies that shaped compact cameras before smartphones took center stage.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Ergonomics and Handling

If you’re choosing between these two, your first tactile encounter speaks volumes. The Olympus TG-810 markets itself as a rugged, go-anywhere companion. At 100x65x26mm and weighing 215g, it’s noticeably chunkier and more solid than the Panasonic FS12, which measures a svelte 97x55x22mm and tips the scales at a mere 129g.

The Olympus’s beefier grip and textured shell immediately feel more secure in the hand, making it an ideal pick for outdoor and adventure work where ruggedness matters. It has a weather-sealed body rated for waterproof (up to 10m), dustproof, shockproof, and even freezeproof conditions. In contrast, the Panasonic FS12 is ultracompact, favoring pocketability over toughness, with no environmental sealing of any kind.

Moving beyond raw size, top-down, the TG-810’s button layout is spacious and tactile, optimized for gloved or wet hands, while the FS12’s controls are more minimalistic, with smaller buttons that could be fiddly in less-than-ideal conditions.

Personally, I found the TG-810’s larger physical controls and better grip to create a more confident shooting experience in the field, particularly for anyone intending to use filters, underwater housings, or active stabilizing rigs. The Panasonic’s dainty footprint makes it more portable but less comfortable to hold during extended shooting sessions or in damp conditions.

Imaging Sensors and Picture Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The Olympus TG-810 and Panasonic FS12 both employ 1/2.3-inch sized CCD sensors - the industry-standard sensor size in consumer compacts of the era - but subtle differences in sensor resolution and technology influence their imaging potential.

• Olympus TG-810: 14MP resolution with a 6.17x4.55mm sensor area
• Panasonic FS12: 12MP resolution with a 6.08x4.56mm sensor area

Although the differences in size and resolution are marginal, the TG-810 offers a slightly higher pixel count, which theoretically should yield more detail at native ISO ranges. However, both cameras face typical challenges of small-sensor CCDs: limited dynamic range and relatively poor high ISO performance. Neither supports RAW output, restricting post-processing flexibility - a common limitation for compact cameras in this class and era.

Image processing engines differ too. The TG-810’s TruePic III+ processor is a refinement over previous Olympus iterations, focused on better noise reduction and color accuracy, whereas the Panasonic FS12 doesn’t specify a processor but is known to rely on standard Lumix processing pipelines emphasizing punchy color tones.

After extensive side-by-side shooting in daylight, the TG-810 tends to deliver slightly richer colors and improved detail retention, especially at base ISO80-100. The FS12 images appear softer, likely due to sensor tweaking and the lower resolution, yet its images have a pleasingly natural color palette that appeals to those favoring less aggressive post-capture processing.

Display and Interface: What You See Is What You Get

For framing and reviewing shots, both cameras feature fixed LCD screens but with starkly different specifications.

• Olympus TG-810: 3.0-inch TFT Hypercrystal III LCD with 920k dots
• Panasonic FS12: 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots

The TG-810’s screen is sharper, more vibrant, and easier to view in bright daylight thanks to its Hypercrystal technology. This advantage can make a tangible difference in framing accurate compositions outdoors or underwater, where reflections and glare could otherwise hinder usability. The FS12's screen, while serviceable indoors and shaded conditions, struggles in direct sunlight and offers less detail for reviewing photos.

Neither camera sports touchscreen controls or electronic viewfinders, reflecting the segment’s typical status in 2009–2011. Olympus’s UI offers some face detection and autofocus assist overlays, which compensate somewhat for the lack of an EVF by improving autofocus accuracy and shot composition confirmation on screen.

Zoom Lenses and Aperture: Flexibility in Framing

The lens specs provide clues to what each camera was prioritizing:

Olympus opts for a broader telephoto reach with 5x zoom and a slightly wider starting focal length suitable for landscape and group shots. Meanwhile, Panasonic chooses a brighter aperture on its wide end at f/2.8, which is meaningful for low-light and indoor shooting at wide-angle settings - giving the FS12 better shallow depth-of-field potential when zoomed out.

If you’re into close-up photography, the TG-810’s ability to focus down to 3 cm provides enhanced macro convenience over the FS12’s 5 cm minimum focus distance, which may feel limiting for tight detail shots.

Autofocus Performance: Hunting or Pinpoint Sharpness?

With both cameras being compact models without advanced phase-detection AF systems, autofocus relies on contrast detection, which can vary considerably in responsiveness and accuracy.

• Olympus TG-810: Features face detection and contrast-based autofocus with multi-area capability.
• Panasonic FS12: Standard contrast AF with single-area focus, no face detection support.

In my testing, the TG-810’s AF was more reliable in tracking human subjects thanks to face detection, which is invaluable for snapshots and casual portraiture. It also acquitted itself well in daylight, locking focus swiftly in a broad range of conditions. The FS12’s autofocus struggled a bit more under dimmer lighting and displayed hunting behavior more frequently, which can be frustrating for fleeting street moments or fast-moving subjects.

Neither camera supports continuous AF tracking for moving subjects, nor does either have eye-detection or animal detection autofocus, marking clear limitations for advanced portrait or wildlife shooting.

Speed and Shooting Modes

Burst speed and shutter controls are crucial for action genres. Neither camera offers manual exposure modes or partial shutter priority.

• TG-810: Single continuous shooting at 1 fps maximum.
• FS12: Slightly faster continuous shooting at 2 fps.

Clearly, neither camera is built for professional sports or wildlife action photography but the FS12’s marginally higher burst rate may offer slender advantages in casual sequences.

Minimum shutter speeds also diverge notably: 4 seconds on the TG-810, versus 60 seconds on the FS12. The FS12’s longer exposure capability is a boon for night and astro photography enthusiasts who want to experiment with star trails or light painting without external controls.

Video Capabilities: Modest But Practical

Video from these cameras reflects their era and class:

Olympus’s HD 720p recording with sensor-shift stabilization represents a notable plus, delivering smoother handheld footage compared to the FS12's VGA-quality capture limited to 640x480 and relying on optical stabilization. Neither camera supports external microphones, so audio quality remains basic.

The Olympus also supports HDMI output, allowing for easier playback on HDTVs, whereas the FS12 does not.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: The TG-810’s Signature

When it comes to putting a camera through rough use, the TG-810 stands in a league of its own here.

If your photographic exploits include hiking, snorkeling, or harsh environments, Olympus’s all-weather build serves as more than a selling point - it’s essential functionality. The FS12’s ultracompact design comes with trade-offs in protection that should be considered seriously if you’re rough on gear or photograph outdoors frequently.

Battery Life and Storage: Simple and Predictable

Olympus uses the LI-50B rechargeable battery rated for approximately 220 shots, roughly averaged in our real-world usage. Panasonic does not specify exact battery life, but general user reports for similar ultracompacts point to around 200-250 shots per charge.

Both cameras utilize a single SD/SDHC memory card slot, but Panasonic also offers internal memory as a backup. Connections are limited to USB 2.0 for file transfer; the TG-810 edges forward with built-in GPS and HDMI output - useful for travel photographers tracking location info and direct TV connectivity.

Comparing Sample Image Quality and Performance in Real-Life Scenarios

I compiled a gallery showcasing sample photographs taken under various lighting and subject conditions to directly compare the real-world results each camera produces.

Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back Panasonic FS12 front Panasonic FS12 screen back

• Portraits: The TG-810’s face detection yields slightly sharper and better-exposed faces, though neither camera achieves creamy bokeh given sensor size and aperture limits. Skin tones render warmly on both, with Olympus showing a marginally more natural palette.

• Landscapes: TG-810’s wider zoom and better dynamic range handling under bright skies deliver more pleasing landscapes, with truer sky gradients and foliage detail.

• Macro Shots: Olympus’s closer focusing capability manifests in sharper detail shots at 3cm, whereas the FS12’s minimum focus distance blunts macro potential.

• Low Light: Both cameras struggle beyond ISO 400 with noise becoming visible, but the TG-810 maintains slightly cleaner results thanks to sensor-shift stabilization allowing longer shutter times.

• Street Photography: Compactness favors the FS12 here, allowing discrete shooting, though autofocus hunting detracts in lower light or fast movement.

• Night and Astro: FS12’s ability to hold exposures out to 60 seconds provides creative latitude not matched by the TG-810.

Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Analysis

To summarize, here are overall performance ratings based on my hands-on field tests, supported by the following chart.

Drilling into genres, we observe:

• Portrait Photography: TG-810 leads with face detection and better exposure control. Neither camera lends itself to artistic shallow depth of field.
• Landscape: TG-810’s wide-angle and superior dynamic range give it an edge.
• Wildlife & Sports: Neither excels; lack of continuous AF and slow shot rates limit usability.
• Street Photography: FS12’s small size favors candid shooting.
• Macro: TG-810 with superior focusing distance is preferable.
• Night/Astro: FS12’s longer shutter speeds provide flexibility.
• Video: TG-810’s HD video and stabilization outperform FS12’s VGA offerings.
• Travel: A toss-up - TG-810 offers durability, FS12 wins on compactness.
• Professional Use: Both lack RAW and manual controls; neither suitable for professional workflows.

Recommendations: Who Should Consider These Cameras Today?

While these cameras are now quite dated, they can still fill specific niches or serve as backups:

Choose the Olympus TG-810 if you:

• Need a rugged, waterproof compact for adventure, hiking, snorkeling, or harsh environments.
• Want moderate image quality with decent zoom reach and stabilized video.
• Value screen visibility in bright conditions and built-in GPS.
• Are OK with the bulkier form factor and average battery life.

Choose the Panasonic FS12 if you:

• Prioritize ultra-portability and light travel weight over durability.
• Shoot mostly in well-lit environments and want a bright wide aperture.
• Are experimenting with night and astro photography, thanks to 60-second max shutter speeds.
• Need a simple, pocket-friendly camera without advanced shooting modes or durability specs.

Wrapping It Up: What Does This Comparison Teach Us?

Both the Olympus TG-810 and Panasonic Lumix FS12 were designed with clear, different priorities. The TG-810 is a compact camera that breaks the mold by delivering ruggedness and useful features (GPS, stabilization, HD video), positioning it for more active users needing reliability and environmental protection. The FS12, conversely, sticks to traditional compact virtues - portability, simplicity, and modest optical performance.

From a purely technical perspective, the TG-810 edges ahead in image quality, autofocus reliability, and durability. However, the FS12 remains appealing for photographers who want a tiny point-and-shoot that won’t weigh down their pocket.

For modern buyers, neither model is competitive with today's smartphone cameras or mirrorless systems, especially lacking RAW support and manual controls. Yet, for collectors, nostalgic photographers, or users with very specific rugged or ultra-compact needs on a budget, understanding these models’ strengths and weaknesses remains valuable.

The world of photography gear keeps evolving, but revisiting these stalwart compacts reminds us how camera makers balance trade-offs between speed, durability, portability, and image fidelity - a juggling act that continues to shape camera design today.

Happy shooting, regardless of your choice!