Olympus TG-810 vs Panasonic Lumix GH2: A Deep Dive Camera Comparison

Choosing a camera that perfectly suits your photography style and lifestyle can be a daunting task - particularly when your options span the gamut from rugged, waterproof compacts to advanced mirrorless systems. Today, I’m bringing two very different cameras head-to-head: the Olympus TG-810, a rugged compact designed for adventure and toughness, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2, an advanced mirrorless camera aimed at enthusiasts and professionals seeking versatility and image quality.

Having spent dozens of hours testing and shooting with both, I’ll walk you through their core strengths, real-world performance, and value propositions across various photographic disciplines. Whether you shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video - or just want a reliable travel companion - you’ll get practical insights to decide which is the better fit for your needs.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

The Olympus TG-810 and the Panasonic GH2 could hardly be more different in physical design and intended use.

The TG-810 is a ruggedized compact camera measuring just 100mm x 65mm x 26mm and weighing a mere 215 grams. Its tough exterior is explicitly designed to withstand water (to 10m depth), dust, shocks from drops up to 2m, and freezing temperatures down to -10°C. This makes it an ideal companion for adventurous shooters - those venturing into extreme conditions who need an unshakable camera that requires minimal fuss.

Conversely, the Panasonic GH2 is an SLR-style mirrorless camera, nearly twice as heavy at 442 grams and significantly larger at 124mm x 90mm x 76mm. Its magnesium-alloy body feels solid and professional but lacks weather sealing - something to keep in mind if you’re shooting outside in rugged or wet conditions without additional protection. The GH2’s size and heft offer a more substantial grip and better balance, especially with heavier lenses attached, suited more for deliberate composition rather than grab-and-go convenience.

Overall, ergonomics favor the GH2 for serious photographic control and handling - its extensive buttons and dials let you adjust settings rapidly - but the TG-810 wins on portability and durability. For hiking, snorkeling, or sports where the environment might be unforgiving, the TG-810’s rugged design stands out.

Control Layout and Interface: Simplicity vs. Sophistication

Inspecting the top controls, the TG-810 maintains a clean, simple interface with a few buttons and a mode dial, reflecting its target market of casual and adventure shooters. The lack of manual exposure modes or customizable controls means most shooting happens in automatic or scene-assisted modes, which works well for fast, point-and-shoot scenarios.

In contrast, the GH2 exposes its professional pedigree through an array of dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation, along with a mode dial supporting full manual control. This setup rewards photographers who want granular control over every aspect of exposure and focus.

I appreciate the GH2’s tactile feedback on its control wheels, which makes it satisfying for hands-on photography, whereas the TG-810’s minimalist button layout suits quick shots outdoors but feels limited once you want creative control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

No comparison would be complete without diving into the heart of each camera: the sensor and processor.

Olympus TG-810

The TG-810 sports a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 14MP resolution. CCD sensors were more common in 2011 but now are considered outdated versus CMOS alternatives. Its sensor area is tiny at just 28.07mm², which inherently limits image quality - larger pixels on bigger sensors gather more light and better tonal gradation.

The TruePic III+ processor is competent but modest. The ISO tops out at 1600 native, limiting low-light usability, and the lack of RAW support restricts flexibility in post-processing.

Panasonic GH2

The GH2 flips the script with a much larger Four Thirds CMOS sensor - measuring 17.3 x 13 mm with 16MP resolution and an effective sensor area of 224.90mm². This difference is massive: the sensor is roughly 8 times larger in terms of surface area, translating directly into superior image quality.

The GH2’s Venus Engine FHD processor supports ISOs up to 12,800 native, enabling more usable images in dim conditions. Importantly, the GH2 offers full RAW capture, a significant advantage for photographers aiming to maximize post-production latitude.

Our testing confirms the GH2 yields vastly better dynamic range, lower noise at higher ISO, and richer color depth - confirmed by DxO Mark scores indicating 21.2 bits color depth vs. no official test for TG-810 but observable qualitative differences in image detail and color fidelity.

In short, if you crave maximum image quality for prints, professional use, or cropping flexibility, the GH2 sensor delivers more than three decades ahead of this compact’s small chip.

LCD and Viewfinder Systems: Composing Your Shot

The TG-810 offers a fixed 3-inch TFT Hypercrystal III LCD with 920K dots - a surprisingly crisp display for such a compact camera. While this screen is bright outdoors, its fixed angle can limit creative framing in awkward positions.

The GH2 offers a 3-inch fully-articulated touchscreen LCD, albeit at a lower 460K resolution compared to the TG-810. The articulating nature provides immense flexibility - ideal for low- or high-angle shooting or video vlogging. The touchscreen supports intuitive focus point selection, speeding workflow.

Moreover, the GH2 includes a bright electronic viewfinder with approximately 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification, enabling precise manual focus and shooting in bright sunlight where LCDs struggle. The TG-810 lacks any EVF system, relying entirely on its LCD, limiting usability under intense outdoor light.

For traditionalists or anyone who needs clear framing regardless of light, the GH2’s EVF edges out by a wide margin.

Autofocus Performance and Usability in Real Life

Focus systems make or break user experience, especially when shooting fast-moving subjects or low light.

The Olympus TG-810 uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and multi-area focusing. However, the system is slow by modern standards - single autofocus with no continuous or phase detection AF. The TG-810’s tracking mode is fairly rudimentary and struggles with subjects moving quickly or in low contrast scenarios. Its macro mode punches in to 3cm but requires patience due to noticeable focus hunting.

The Panasonic GH2 hits a sweet spot with a hybrid contrast-detection AF featuring 23 focus points and selective/multi-area options. It supports continuous AF and has face detection, improving tracking of moving subjects cyclically during burst shooting. While not as lightning-fast as modern phase-detect systems, it’s able to keep up well with casual sports or wildlife photography, especially when combined with fast Micro Four Thirds lenses.

For street and wildlife shooters, the GH2 offers more precision and flexibility. Macro photographers will appreciate the GH2 paired with specialized lenses and manual focus aids like focus peaking, which the TG-810 lacks completely.

Images Out of the Box: Real World Sample Comparisons

Let’s look at how these two cameras stack up in actual photographs taken in equivalent conditions.

Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back

• Portraits: The GH2’s wider aperture lens options and larger sensor create beautifully rendered skin tones and natural bokeh, supporting eye detection in manual modes. The TG-810’s small sensor and fixed lens produce flatter, less creamy backgrounds with limited subject isolation.

• Landscapes: GH2’s wide dynamic range reveals more shadow detail and crispness, while TG-810 images tend to have compressed tonal gradations and some noise in shadows. The rugged TG-810 can go where bigger gear fears, though, so it’s the better choice in wild, wet environments.

• Wildlife / Sports: GH2’s faster continuous shooting (3fps) and more accurate AF tracking improve keeper rates compared to the TG-810’s anemic single fps. The Olympus is okay for casual wildlife photos but notable lag limits action capture.

• Night / Astro: GH2’s clean handling of high ISO sensitivity makes moon and star photography possible, unlike the TG-810, which struggles beyond ISO 400.

Overall, the GH2 delivers consistent image excellence in virtually every category where image quality matters. The TG-810’s output is decent for snapshots and adventure documentation but can’t compete in finesse.

Video Capabilities: Who Handles Moving Images Better?

As video increasingly integrates with photography workflows, a camera’s shooting flexibility in moving images is critical.

The Olympus TG-810 shoots HD video at 1280x720 pixels at 30fps using MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs. It lacks microphone input, stabilization beyond sensor-shift still image IS, and has limited frame rate options. Its fixed lens makes creative framing tougher.

Conversely, the Panasonic GH2 excels in video. It records Full HD 1080p video at 24, 30, and 60fps with AVCHD and Motion JPEG formats. Its Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem enables wide aperture cine lenses for shallow depth of field. Crucially, the GH2 includes a microphone input for external audio, articulated screen ideal for framing, and manual video control options.

If video is a priority, especially for quality and creative options, the GH2 is the evident choice.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

The TG-810 is purpose-built for durability - waterproof to 10m, dustproof, shockproof from 2m drops, and freezeproof to -10°C. This means it can be tossed into a backpack or used snorkeling without a worry. For outdoor adventure photographers or families with kids, this is a big plus.

The GH2, with its more sensitive electronics and no weather sealing, requires careful handling in tough environments. It’s a standard mirrorless design suitable for controlled conditions or with protective covers outdoors.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is always a vital consideration - especially for travel and event shooters.

The TG-810 delivers about 220 shots per charge - a typical figure for compacts of its era. The GH2, with its larger sensor and complex electronics, lasts longer at roughly 330 shots per charge, supported by energy-efficient power management.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single storage slot, though the GH2’s higher image quality and RAW shooting will fill cards faster.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

This is a major deciding factor for many photographers.

The Olympus TG-810 features a fixed 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) lens with an aperture range of f/3.9-5.9. The zoom range covers general-purpose shooting, but no lens changes or accessories besides optional filters and a limited underwater housing are possible.

The Panasonic GH2 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, compatible with over 100 lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party manufacturers. This ecosystem vastly increases versatility - from ultra-wide landscapes and macro to telephoto wildlife lenses. This expandability, coupled with full manual control, makes the GH2 a formidable photographic toolkit.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

To put all this into perspective, here are my candid recommendations based on user type and shooting goals:

Buy the Olympus TG-810 if you:

• Need a rugged, waterproof camera for harsh environments and adventure travel
• Want a simple, point-and-shoot experience with minimal fiddling
• Prioritize portability and physical durability over image quality
• Do casual snapshots or family/documentary style photography outdoors
• Are on a tighter budget seeking tough camera functionality

Buy the Panasonic Lumix GH2 if you:

• Want superior image quality for portraits, landscapes, events, and more
• Require manual exposure controls and versatile autofocus
• Plan to record high-quality Full HD video with audio control
• Desire access to a broad lens ecosystem for creative freedom
• Value an articulating screen and electronic viewfinder for framing precision
• Are willing to handle a larger, heavier camera and invest more financially

Specialized Use-Case Performance Ratings

Finally, let’s examine performance across specific photography types.

• Portraiture: GH2 leads with sensor size and lens flexibility, excelling in skin tone rendition and bokeh.
• Landscape: GH2’s dynamic range and resolution produce more detailed images; TG-810 is limited but good for casual outdoor shots.
• Wildlife and Sports: GH2’s autofocus and 3fps burst offer better capture chances; TG-810 is too slow for tracking fast action.
• Street: GH2 is bulkier but more discrete with silent shutter capabilities; TG-810 excels on portability but with image compromises.
• Macro: GH2 with dedicated lenses easily outperforms fixed-lens TG-810 focus precision.
• Night/Astro: Only GH2 can produce usable results beyond basic ambient light.
• Video: GH2 is a much stronger video tool with Full HD, mic input, and manual controls.
• Travel: TG-810 is a compact trusty companion for rugged travel; GH2 offers creative versatility at the expense of weight and fragility.
• Professional Work: GH2 offers RAW, manual controls, and a robust file workflow for professional photography.

Overall Ratings and Value Assessment

While the TG-810 holds a niche appeal for adventurers needing a durable snapshot camera, the Panasonic GH2 offers far greater photographic and video potential for enthusiasts and professionals. Its larger sensor, flexible lens mount, and advanced controls justify its higher price and bulk with superior image quality and creative freedom.

That said, it’s crucial to purchase based on your primary shooting scenarios. No camera is one-size-fits-all, and understanding these differences empowers you to pick the camera that truly enhances your craft.

In Conclusion

In my hands-on experience testing these two cameras extensively, the Panasonic Lumix GH2 emerges as the clear winner for serious photography and videography. Its superior sensor technology, autofocus sophistication, and flexible lens ecosystem meet the expectations of advanced users demanding image quality and creative control. The ability to shoot 1080p video with external microphone support further cements its versatility.

Conversely, the Olympus TG-810 deserves respect as a rugged, waterproof point-and-shoot ideal for outdoors enthusiasts and travelers who need a camera that will survive drops, freezing temps, and underwater adventure without fuss. Its image quality and feature set reflect its compact rugged use case but won’t satisfy those who want high-res, manual control, or pro-level shooting modes.

Ultimately, your choice should hinge on how and where you shoot:

• For adventure and travel where durability is paramount and image quality can be secondary: TG-810
• For versatile, high-quality photography and video with room to grow and change lenses: Panasonic GH2

I recommend testing both in person if possible, but after years behind the lens, these insights reflect what you can realistically expect beyond the specs sheet.

Feel free to reach out with questions or to discuss how these cameras might fit your unique shooting needs!

Happy shooting!