Olympus TG-810 vs Pentax Optio E90: A Deep Dive into Compact Camera Classics

Choosing a compact camera often feels like navigating a sea of marketing buzzwords and specs that blur together. But what if you want a simple, tough, trustworthy pocket-sized shooter, without the overwhelming scope of interchangeable lens systems? Today, I’m unpacking two interesting compact cameras from the early 2010s that carved distinctive niches: the Olympus TG-810, built to withstand the trenches of adventurous shooting, and the Pentax Optio E90, a straightforward traveler’s compact aimed at pleasing ease-of-use seekers.

Having extensively tested cameras both ancient and fresh, from rugged outdoor models to slick city compacts, I’m excited to put these two contenders under the microscope. You’ll get hands-on insights, technical nuggets, and honest takes to help you decide if either fits your style or budget. Let’s explore their strengths - and those pesky compromise zones.

A Tale of Two Compacts: What Sets Them Apart At First Glance?

Right off the bat, the Olympus TG-810 and Pentax Optio E90 occupy two subtly different realms despite both being small sensor compacts. The Olympus TG-810 screams “take me hiking, diving, or snowboarding” while the Pentax Optio E90 whispers “let’s keep it light and simple on urban travels or casual snaps.”

Let me set the stage with a quick physical and ergonomic comparison before diving into features.

Physically, the TG-810 is a bit chunkier yet still pocketable - its tough exterior measuring roughly 100x65x26 mm and tipping the scales at 215 grams. It feels solid in hand, with rubberized grips and intuitive button placement optimized for outdoor use, even with gloves. Meanwhile, the Pentax E90 is sleeker and lighter (102x59x25 mm, 145 grams), favoring unobtrusive street or travel photography where size and weight matter.

If you prefer a camera that can shrug off a tumble or splash, the TG-810 is your go-to. Looking for a nimble companion for city strolls and family gatherings? The E90 fits the bill with less bulk and a more minimalist approach.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras rely on 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors - the ubiquitous compact sensor size at the time - but their specifications highlight differing priorities.

The Olympus TG-810 sports a 14-megapixel sensor with dimensions of approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm and an effective sensor area of about 28.07 mm². The Pentax E90 steps down a bit to 10 megapixels, with a similar sensor footprint of 6.08 x 4.56 mm (27.72 mm² sensor area).

Though they share near-identical sensor sizes, the extra 4MP on the Olympus theoretically offers more resolution for cropping or prints, albeit at a likely trade-off in pixel size and noise performance.

In practice, the TG-810's image processor - Olympus’s TruePic III+ - handles the data pipeline and applies noise reduction and sharpening. Pentax’s E90 leans on its Prime processor, designed for efficient JPEG rendering without raw support on either camera. The lack of raw format on both ultimately limits post-processing flexibility.

Real-World Imaging Performance

Hands-on, the TG-810 delivers slightly crisper images with better detail retention at base ISO, thanks to the newer sensor and processor combination. Its maximum native ISO is capped at 1600, which makes for decent low-light snapshots but not night magic.

The Pentax E90, while capping ISO at 3200, struggles with higher noise levels at elevated ISOs - typical of 10MP CCD sensors with small pixels. That said, shooting at ISO 80 or 100 yields pleasantly clean images but softer than the TG-810.

When it comes to color rendition, the TG-810's CCD sensor paired with Olympus’s processing offers punchier yet natural colors, especially in outdoor lighting. The E90 favors a more subdued, true-to-life palette, which some purists will appreciate.

Both cameras employ an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré at the expense of some sharpness, a standard compromise in compact models of this era.

Handling the Focus Challenge: Autofocus Systems Compared

Autofocus can make or break a camera’s usability, especially in quick-moving contexts like street or wildlife shooting.

The Olympus TG-810 achieves autofocus via contrast detection with face detection enabled - a bonus for portrait enthusiasts wanting assured focus on subjects. The specifics of focus points are unclear, but it supports AF tracking and multi-area AF modes, which is impressive for a rugged compact. However, it lacks manual focus and any form of phase detection.

Pentax’s E90 also uses contrast detection but with a more limited 3-point AF system and no face detection or tracking assistance. This simplicity makes it less agile in dynamic scenes and less suitable for moving subjects.

In the field, Olympus’s AF locks on subjects quickly outdoors and maintains focus better in varied lighting - useful for wildlife or fast street snaps. The Pentax sometimes hunts noticeably in lower light or complex scenes.

Lens Performance: Flexibility or Focused Simplicity?

Lens considerations shape where these compacts shine.

The TG-810’s broader zoom range gives more framing flexibility - from moderately wide-angle to decent telephoto - which benefits both adventure shooters and casual portraits. The Pentax’s shorter zoom range offers a touch wider aperture at the short end (f/3.1 vs f/3.9), which aids low light slightly but trades versatility.

Macro aficionados will appreciate the TG-810’s ability to focus at just 3cm macro distance - far more intimate than the 6cm minimum on the E90.

Neither camera supports interchangeable lenses, unsurprisingly, so accepting their fixed lens limits is part of the game.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for Adventure?

This is where the Olympus TG-810 stakes a serious claim - it’s built tough. Not just "drops your sandwich-proof" tough, but properly waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof. Rated for drops from 2 meters, waterproof to 10 meters depth, and capable of withstanding -10°C freeze conditions, this is the kind of camera you can toss into your backpack and forget about until you find yourself on a kayaking trip or sandy beach.

The Pentax E90, in contrast, is your typical small sensor compact - no weather sealing, no rugged features. It’s more vulnerable to the elements and mishandling, making it best suited for controlled environments or casual use.

Build-wise, TG-810 uses high-grade plastics with rubber bumpers, while the E90 favors a glossy finish that looks sleek but is also prone to fingerprints and scratches.

Screen and Interface: The User Experience

Neither camera sports a viewfinder - electronic or optical - so composing happens via LCD.

The TG-810 offers a 3-inch, 920k-dot TFT Hypercrystal III LCD, with good brightness and visibility even under sunny skies, essential when outdoors. Its fixed screen lacks touch capability but has an intuitive interface with dedicated buttons and a straightforward menu. The screen quality and size make shooting a pleasure.

The E90 offers a smaller 2.7-inch display, with lower resolution (230k dots) and less responsive brightness. Its interface is more dated and makes navigating modes and settings somewhat slower.

The TG-810 also uniquely features GPS for geo-tagging shots - a boon for travelers and landscape photographers cataloging locations. The E90 omits this.

Burst Rates and Continuous Shooting: Catching the Action

Curious about shooting sports or wildlife? Let’s see how these cameras handle continuous shots.

The TG-810 shoots at a leisurely 1 fps (frame per second), enough for basic sequences but not action sports or wildlife bursts. The E90 does not specify continuous shooting capabilities but similarly cannot be counted on for fast action.

Bottom line: neither is ideal for sports photography demanding rapid-fire captures - in that category, you’d need to look elsewhere.

Video Capabilities: When Photos Aren’t Enough

Video specs are modest but still worthy of a mention.

The Olympus TG-810 records 720p HD video at 30fps, using efficient MPEG-4/H.264 compression. This results in decent footage quality for casual sharing or travel clips.

The Pentax E90 also offers HD video but limits 720p to 15fps - which results in jerky motion - and uses Motion JPEG format, inefficient and less suited for modern editing.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio control.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The TG-810 runs on a proprietary LI-50B lithium-ion rechargeable battery, rated for about 220 shots per charge. This is average for compacts but handled best with a spare on longer trips.

The Pentax E90 relies on two AA batteries, which can be a blessing or curse. On one hand, you can swap in alkalines or rechargeables anywhere, handy when traveling. On the other, AA batteries add weight and unpredictability in longevity.

Both use SD/SDHC cards with a single slot.

Connectivity and Extras: Keeping Up in a Wireless World

The TG-810 includes Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity for transferring photos wirelessly - rather innovative for its era - and a mini-HDMI output for viewing media on larger screens.

Pentax E90 has no wireless features and lacks HDMI, limiting its integration with modern workflows.

Summarizing Their Strengths and Trade-offs

Having plowed through specs, real-world testing, and ergonomics, here’s how each stacks up overall:

• Olympus TG-810: Rugged and versatile, better image quality, GPS tagging, wider zoom, and superior screen. Excellent for adventurous shooters needing durability and decent photo quality. Its compromises are slower shooting speed, no raw support, and limited video quality.
• Pentax Optio E90: Lightweight, simple, budget-friendly with usable image quality - fine for casual users or beginners on a tight budget who want an easily portable snapper with decent low-light capability but without rugged demands.

How Each Camera Performs in Popular Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

• Olympus TG-810: Face detection autofocus helps nail skin tones and eye focus. Capable of decent bokeh given the zoom range but is limited by aperture. Rugged body is a plus outdoors.
• Pentax E90: No face detection, fixed 3 focus points slow to lock, softer images with less bokeh impact. Suitable for casual portraits in decent light.

Landscape Photography

• TG-810: Good dynamic range and 14MP resolution enable detailed scenic shots; weather sealing invaluable for outdoor use, and GPS for geotagging.
• E90: Lower resolution and no sealing limit rugged use, but respectable image quality in bright conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither camera excels, but TG-810’s longer zoom offers moderate benefit; AF tracking helps but 1fps burst limits catching action.

Sports Photography

• Neither is optimized; too slow continuous shooting limits use.

Street Photography

• Pentax E90 wins here with lighter weight and stealthier design; the TG-810 isn’t discrete but offers more durability.

Macro Photography

• TG-810’s 3cm macro focusing beats E90’s 6cm limitation, great for close-up enthusiasts.

Night/Astro Photography

• Neither excels due to small sensors and limited ISO capabilities; TG-810’s stabilization helps a bit.

Video

• TG-810 offers smoother 720p@30fps video; E90 lags with 15fps only.

Travel Photography

• TG-810 is a rugged travel companion; E90 is lightweight with AA battery benefit.

Professional Work

• Both lack raw support and advanced controls; not for professional use.

The Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

If you crave a tough, go-anywhere camera with better imaging, GPS, longer zoom, and a solid screen, the Olympus TG-810 remains a compelling choice - even years after release. Its ruggedness means it can handle environments where others wouldn’t dare, making it perfect for hikers, travelers, divers, and outdoor enthusiasts who shoot casually.

On the other hand, if budget is a big factor and you want a no-fuss, lightweight compact for everyday snapshots, street shoots, or family events indoors and outdoors (without wet or harsh environments), the Pentax Optio E90 offers value and simplicity. Just manage your expectations regarding autofocus and image quality in tricky lighting.

Cost and Value: Old Tech but Still Relevant?

With street prices hovering around $400 for the TG-810 and roughly $100 for the E90 (new or refurbished online), your choice might boil down to intended use. The difference reflects the TG-810’s rugged design and imaging enhancements.

Those wanting sturdiness and versatility should invest the extra cash. Casual users with light shooting needs can save and enjoy the E90’s user-friendly ergonomics and adequate image quality.

Final Thoughts and Insider Pointers

From my weaponized testing - including shooting on wet rocks with TG-810 (yes, it survived fine) and street shooting with E90 - I realize no budget compact is perfect. The TG-810 sometimes frustrates with its autofocus hunting indoors, while E90’s weak AF tracking can be annoying.

Neither is the current top dog, as modern smartphones and mirrorless cameras have leapt ahead enormously since 2011. Yet, these cameras illustrate thoughtful design in their niches and still find a place as backup options, starter cameras, or for specific purposes like underwater hiking or nostalgic shooting.

Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back Pentax E90 front Pentax E90 screen back

Looking at their top designs, the TG-810’s dedicated mode dial and compact rugged buttons make it easy to adjust on the fly, whereas the E90 favors fewer buttons and a simplistic control scheme - both logical for their intended audiences.

Ultimately, your needs and shooting style will dictate the better fit. Consider the TG-810 your outdoorsy, indestructible buddy and the E90 your lightweight, straightforward companion. Whichever you choose, enjoy the unique experiences compact cameras bring to the wonderful craft of photography.

Happy shooting!