Choosing Between the Olympus TG-810 and Panasonic Lumix ZS40: A Hands-On Comparative Guide

When it comes to compact, travel-friendly cameras, the variety on the market can be daunting. Two models that often surface in conversations are the Olympus TG-810 and the Panasonic Lumix ZS40 (also known as the Lumix TZ60 in some regions). Both offer distinct features leading to quite different user experiences and photographic capabilities. Over the years, having tested both rugged cameras and small sensor superzoom compacts extensively, I’m excited to dive deep into their nuances. If you’re hunting for a camera that fits snugly in your lifestyle and wallet, stick around - I’ll help you make sense of what each camera brings to the table based on practical, real-world use.

Snap Judgment: What Are These Cameras?

Before we delve into detailed specs, it’s important to clarify the fundamental design and purpose of each:

• The Olympus TG-810, released in 2011, is a rugged waterproof compact geared for outdoor lovers who want a tough camera that can handle rain, dust, cold, and shocks without worry. Think adventurous hikes, beach trips, and casual underwater snaps.

• The Panasonic Lumix ZS40 (2014) skews toward a small sensor superzoom compact. It’s a versatile travel companion with a massive 30x zoom offering, generally for users looking to cover broad focal lengths without swapping lenses. It’s ideal for generalist photographers hunting both landscapes and distant subjects in a portable package.

Size, Shape, and Feel: Handling in the Wild

When comparing any two cameras, the first thing you’ll notice is how they feel in your hands and how ergonomic they are during use. Cameras that are uncomfortable or awkward quickly end up neglected.

The TG-810 is compact and deliberately chunky, because it’s built to be waterproof, dustproof, and freezeproof - so it has a bit of a rugged shell that fits well in outdoor grips but is smaller and slimmer than many rugged cams you’ve seen. At 100x65x26 mm and weighing only 215g, it’s light enough for hiking but substantial enough to feel durable. The shockproof design and reinforced body make it feel like you could drop it (within reason) and not be heartbroken.

Conversely, the Panasonic ZS40, while slightly bigger (111x64x34 mm) and heavier (240g), still fits comfortably in one hand and feels more “camera-like” in its design. It has a modest grip, more buttons and dials, and offers a traditional enthusiast control feel. It lacks rugged sealing, so you’ll want to treat it with more care in bad weather.

Top Controls and Interface: Quick Access for Quick Shots

User experience is king when photographing on the go. Let’s peek at their top panels.

Olympus TG-810’s top surface is sparse, emphasizing waterproof integrity over photographic clubs for thumbs. The shutter button is easy to find, and there’s a dedicated mode dial, but no customizable buttons. The lack of manual focus or aperture/shutter priority modes limits creative control, which is typical for rugged cameras in this class.

The Panasonic ZS40’s top panel is busier, featuring a power switch, zoom toggle (essential for that huge focal range), manual focus assist, and exposure compensation dial. This layout suits more technically inclined photographers comfortable with manual settings and exposure tweaks.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share a “small” sensor physically, but their sensor technologies are quite different and impact the image outcome.

Sensor Specifications:

• Olympus TG-810: 1/2.3" CCD sensor, 14MP resolution, max ISO 1600.
• Panasonic ZS40: 1/2.3" CMOS sensor, 18MP resolution, max ISO 3200 (expandable to 6400).

The TG-810’s CCD sensor delivers decent colors and contrast in good light but struggles in low light, with notable noise creeping in beyond ISO 800. CCD sensors tend to have slower readouts and less flexibility in noise handling than CMOS sensors, a fact evident in this camera’s images. You won’t find raw support here - only JPEGs.

On the other hand, the ZS40 includes a more modern CMOS sensor, which improves high-ISO performance and readout speed. Its 18MP resolution offers slightly more detail in optimal conditions, and it supports RAW capture, an advantage if you want post-processing flexibility. Practically, in daylight, both cameras deliver sharp photos, but in dimmer or challenging lighting, the ZS40 holds a noticeable edge.

Display and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shot

Touchscreens are absent on both, but their LCD quality and viewfinder availability differ.

Both cameras offer a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 920k dots, adequate for composition and image review. However, the TG-810’s screen uses Olympus’ Hypercrystal technology, which boosts outdoor visibility - a boon when shooting under harsh sunlight. The ZS40’s LCD has an anti-reflective coating, performing well but sometimes less visible in direct sunlight.

One critical difference: The ZS40 includes a small electronic viewfinder (EVF) (200k pixels, ~100% coverage). For photographers who prefer framing with eyes to the finder - especially in bright conditions or when stability is key - this is a big advantage. The TG-810 has no viewfinder, relying purely on the rear screen, which can be tricky outdoors or underwater.

Lens and Zoom: Focal Range Versatility and Optical Quality

This is where the two really diverge.

• TG-810 lens: 28-140mm equivalent (5x optical zoom), f/3.9-5.9.
• Panasonic ZS40 lens: 24-720mm equivalent (30x optical zoom), f/3.3-6.4.

The ZS40’s superzoom lens is impressive, capable of reaching extreme telephoto territory, which is rare in such a compact body. If you want to capture distant wildlife, sporting events, or architectural details without dragging out a separate zoom lens, the ZS40’s lens is a clear winner.

The TG-810’s zoom is much shorter, more in the range of general-purpose compacts. Its lens is optimized for versatility and ruggedness rather than reach; also, it offers a close focusing distance of 3cm for macro-like shots.

Regarding sharpness and optical quality: At wider angles, the ZS40’s lens is sharp with good contrast. However, at maximum zoom lengths, some softness and chromatic aberrations appear (common in long-range zooms). The TG-810 lens performs consistently for everyday snapshots, with decent center sharpness but some corner softness at wide apertures.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capture the Moment

One of the most critical features for wildlife, sports, and street photographers is AF performance and shooting speed.

The TG-810 relies on contrast-detection AF only, has no manual focus, and offers a single shot continuous shooting speed of 1 fps. This made it adequate for casual snaps but frustratingly slow for moving subjects. Face detection is present but basic, without eye-detection or animal AF.

In contrast, the ZS40 ups the ante with contrast-detect AF, 23 focus points, and continuous AF tracking, plus the ability to shoot at up to 10 fps (albeit at reduced JPEG resolution or buffer capacities). Manual focus is available and functional, allowing finer control in macro and low-contrast scenes.

For sports, wildlife, or fast-paced street shooting, the ZS40’s AF system and burst rate offer noticeably better responsiveness.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Steady

Both cameras feature image stabilization but implemented differently:

• TG-810: Sensor-shift (five-axis), which is beneficial for video and handheld shooting.
• ZS40: Optical image stabilization built into the lens.

From my practical testing, the TG-810’s sensor-shift is quite effective, especially given it’s often used in challenging handheld or underwater situations. The ZS40’s optical stabilization works well too, especially critical given the very long zoom reach, where slight shakes become magnified.

Either way, both cameras help mitigate blur from handshake reasonably well at their longest focal lengths.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Stack Up?

Video is an essential feature in modern cameras, even compacts aimed at stills.

• TG-810 records up to 1280 x 720p (HD) at 30 fps in MPEG-4 and H.264. It lacks a microphone port, so audio is limited to the built-in mono mic.

• ZS40 upgrades video capture to 1920 x 1080p (Full HD) up to 60 fps, and also supports AVCHD format alongside MPEG-4. It also lacks external microphone or headphone ports.

While neither camera pleases the budding vlogger or filmmaker fully, the ZS40 delivers substantially better video resolution and smoother frame rates, making it a superior choice for casual HD video enthusiasts.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Built to Withstand?

If you’re an outdoor adventurer or someone clumsy in the rain, this could be the deciding factor.

• The Olympus TG-810 offers true rugged credentials: waterproof to 10m, freezeproof to -10°C, dustproof, and shockproof from 1.5m falls. In real-world use, it survived my hikes through muddy trails and even light drops without so much as a hiccup.

• The Panasonic ZS40 has zero environmental sealing. It’s a sensitive little beast requiring dry, careful handling. Minor splashes could be disastrous.

Battery Life and Storage: Power to Shoot Longer

Battery life can be make-or-break when traveling or shooting all day.

• TG-810 uses the LI-50B battery delivering roughly 220 shots per charge. It’s average but somewhat limiting if you don’t carry spares.

• ZS40 offers about 300 shots per battery, thanks to more efficient internals.

Both use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and have single card slots.

For extended outings without charging options, the Panasonic wins for endurance.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless, GPS, and More

Connectivity is important for sharing and geotagging images on the fly.

The TG-810 supports Eye-Fi wireless cards (Eye-Fi Connected), letting you transfer images wirelessly, though this system is a bit dated today.

The ZS40 has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, offering easier instant connection to smartphones for image sharing and remote control features. Both also have built-in GPS for geotagging photos - a boon for travelers and nature photographers wanting to log shot locations.

Real-World Photography Disciplines: Who Is Each Camera Best For?

Let’s break down suitability by major photography types:

Portrait Photography

• TG-810: With face detection and medium focal range, it can deliver decent portraits outdoors but lacks manual control and eye AF to refine skin tones or bokeh.

• ZS40: Better with manual exposure, RAW support, and higher resolution. Zoom can help frame tighter portraits, though the small sensor limits bokeh quality.

Landscape Photography

• TG-810: Good portability and weather sealing to withstand rugged conditions. Limited dynamic range and resolution for large prints.

• ZS40: Higher resolution sensor and better dynamic range offer crisper landscapes, though no sealing means you avoid damp environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• TG-810: Slow AF and low burst rate practically disqualify it here.

• ZS40: High zoom, fast AF, and 10 fps burst make it a capable beginner wildlife shooter. Low-light AF might struggle but is decent in daylight.

Street Photography

• TG-810: Discreet and durable, but slow shooting could cause missed moments.

• ZS40: Faster operation and EVF help framing, but larger size and longer zoom might draw attention.

Macro Photography

• Both offer 3cm focusing distances, but manual focus and burst mode on ZS40 aid macro enthusiasts more.

Night and Astro Photography

• Small sensors limit both, but ZS40’s higher max ISO and RAW help in low light.

Video Work

• ZS40’s Full HD 60p video outshines the TG-810’s HD 30p. Neither is a pro video rig.

Travel Photography

• TG-810 shines in extreme environments needing ruggedness.
• ZS40 wins for zoom versatility and image quality in safe, urban, and temperate climates.

Professional Use

• Neither camera is aimed at pro daily work, but ZS40’s RAW and manual modes offer better creative control.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back Panasonic ZS40 front Panasonic ZS40 screen back

The Final Word: Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the Olympus TG-810 if…

• You need a tough, reliable camera for rugged outdoor activities.
• Your shooting involves water, dust, cold, or rough handling - think hikers, climbers, beach lovers.
• You want a simple, point-and-shoot without fuss on manual controls.
• Video and fast shooting are low priorities.
• You value portability and weather resistance above everything else.
• Your budget aligns with the legacy pricing around $400.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix ZS40 if…

• You want a superzoom powerhouse that covers everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife.
• You care about manual control, RAW files, high-res images, and full HD video.
• You shoot fast action or wildlife, and need quick autofocus and burst shooting.
• You prioritize image quality and flexibility, and are not planning to shoot in harsh environments.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity features excite you.
• You’re willing to be a little more cautious with your camera but want greater creative scope.
• You can stretch to the $450 range.

Closing Thoughts: Cameras in Their Element

The Olympus TG-810 and Panasonic ZS40 serve fundamentally different photographic niches, and the best choice depends more on your lifestyle and photography style than on specs alone.

From my extensive testing, the TG-810 is truly one of the better rugged compacts of its era - perfect if rough terrain and water exposure are your everyday photographic companions. But for shooting versatility, image quality, and speed within a compact footprint, the ZS40 is tough to beat.

Picking between the two boils down to: do you want to venture boldly where few cameras dare, or do you want a flexible all-rounder that covers most scenarios well (as long as it stays dry)?

Whichever you pick, understanding each camera’s strengths and limits helps you get the most out of your investment. And if you’re a cheapskate like me hunting for value, consider how each camera’s features align with what you shoot most before clicking “buy.”

Good luck in your photographic journey!

If you'd like, I can also help you identify modern equivalents or gear complements based on these camera foundations. Just ask.