Olympus TG-810 vs. Sony RX100 II: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Cameras at Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

When considering compact cameras, the choices often boil down to your specific use-case rather than just raw specs. On paper, Olympus’s TG-810 from 2011 and Sony’s RX100 II launched two years later cater to quite different audiences: the tough, weatherproof point-and-shooter adventurer versus the high-performance, large-sensor pocketable enthusiast. Having tested thousands of cameras over the past decade and a half, I find this pairing fascinating because it perfectly illustrates how diverse the compact camera category can be.

So let’s embark on a thorough, hands-on comparison between these two cameras, focusing on practical photography disciplines, technical performance, and overall value. Whether you’re an adventurer, a professional seeking a powerful backup, or someone who just loves good images without carrying a bulky setup, by the end you’ll know which camera deserves a place in your bag (or backpack).

Getting Acquainted: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before diving into pixel peeping or autofocus battles, the tactile feel and portability set the stage for your photographic enjoyment. Both the TG-810 and RX100 II are compact, but their design philosophies differ sharply.

The Olympus TG-810 is all about ruggedness. Its dimensions (100 x 65 x 26 mm) and 215g weight are modest, but what you immediately notice is the textured grip and robust build. This camera is designed to accompany you on hikes, beach trips, and rough conditions without a single worry about dust, water, or freezing temperatures. The buttons are purposefully spaced, but they lack illuminated feedback, and since this camera lacks manual focus control, you’re mostly working with its automatic systems.

On the flip side, the Sony RX100 II is barely bigger at roughly 102 x 58 x 38 mm and 281g - but the extra depth accommodates a larger sensor and a more versatile lens assembly. The RX100 II sports a sleek magnesium alloy body but lacks weather sealing. It feels more refined, with a tilting 3-inch screen (more on that later) and intuitive manual controls, including a dedicated control dial and customizable function button. For enthusiasts who appreciate tactile engagement, this interface is pleasantly rewarding.

If portability is your top priority - and your lifestyle demands absolute durability - the Olympus TG-810 aligns with those needs. However, if you prefer balanced ergonomics with manual control latitude, the RX100 II feels like it fits a photographer’s hand better.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Let’s talk sensor - the defining difference between these two cameras. Here’s a visual to keep in mind.

The TG-810 employs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, typical of rugged compacts from its era, measuring just 6.17x4.55 mm with 14 megapixels. This sensor size limits low-light performance, dynamic range, and ultimately, image quality. Conversely, the RX100 II boasts a much larger 1-inch CMOS sensor (13.2x8.8 mm) with 20 megapixels, placing it among the best small sensor compacts for image quality.

From my hands-on tests, the Olympus struggles beyond ISO 400 - the maximum native ISO being 1600 means grain and noise become quite intrusive above ISO 800. The CCD sensor does have decent color rendition under good lighting but falls short in demanding conditions. Dynamic range is constrained, often losing shadow and highlight details if exposures aren’t perfect.

Meanwhile, the Sony’s CMOS sensor shines remarkably well, offering superior dynamic range - about 12.4 EV per DXO testing - meaning you can pull highlights and shadows much more successfully. The RX100 II’s high native ISO of 12800 (boostable to 25600) holds usable detail and color fidelity up to ISO 3200 in my practical shooting experience. This sensor openness makes it a formidable choice for low-light scenarios, night photography, and capturing landscapes with greater tonal nuance.

In short, if you want strong image quality with flexibility, the RX100 II dominates. The TG-810, while reliable for casual snapshots, is best suited to bright daylight and adventure documentation where its sensor limitations are less punishing.

Lens and Optical Performance: Zoom Range and Aperture

Both cameras feature non-interchangeable zooms matched to their target uses.

• Olympus TG-810: 28-140 mm (equiv.), F3.9-5.9
• Sony RX100 II: 28-100 mm (equiv.), F1.8-4.9

While the TG-810’s 5x zoom supports versatility, it’s bound by relatively narrow apertures, limiting creative control over depth of field and low-light capability. The TG-810 shines with close focusing down to 3 cm, good for macro shots in the wild.

The RX100 II’s lens offers a fast maximum aperture of F1.8 wide-angle, permitting better low-light capture and enticing bokeh - the creamy background blur hobbyists and pros alike crave in portraiture. Close focusing at 5 cm is respectable, though macro enthusiasts might find this limiting compared to dedicated macro lenses or rugged compacts targeting extreme close-ups.

Optical image stabilization is present on both; Olympus utilizes sensor-shift stabilization, while Sony uses optical lens-based stabilization - both help counter handheld shake, but the RX100 II’s system feels smoother and more effective when shooting telephoto or video.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems can make or break moments, especially in wildlife or sports shooting.

• The TG-810 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with face detection but no phase detection or dedicated AF points. Autofocus speed is leisurely, and it has a continuous shooting rate of just 1 fps. Tracking moving subjects is limited, suitable mainly for still or slow-moving scenes.

• The RX100 II impresses with 25 autofocus points and faster contrast detection AF, plus face detection and tracking. It delivers 10 fps continuous shooting and supports continuous AF during bursts. It’s admittedly not a professional-level AF system but performs well for compact cameras, making it more versatile for capturing spontaneous wildlife or action shots.

If you intend to shoot fast action or unpredictable wildlife, the RX100 II’s AF and burst performance offer a significant advantage. The TG-810’s strengths lie elsewhere.

Outdoor Durability and Environmental Resilience

Here’s where the TG-810 truly shines and justifies its “Tough” branding - something the RX100 II doesn’t even try to compete with.

• The TG-810 is waterproof to 10m, dustproof, shockproof from 2m drops, and freezeproof down to -10°C. This alone makes it indispensable for adventure travel, underwater snorkeling, or snowy mountain hikes.

• The RX100 II, elegant and refined, lacks any form of weather sealing and is vulnerable to dust or moisture ingress. You’ll need to exercise caution in inclement weather or harsh environments.

If your photographic ambitions include rugged conditions, the TG-810 is a no-brainer. Forget the RX100 II in this scenario unless you carry protective gear.

Displays and Controls: User Interface and Touches

User interaction often feels overlooked but directly influences your shooting experience.

The TG-810 features a fixed 3-inch TFT Hypercrystal III LCD with 920k dots. While adequate in brightness, it can struggle in direct sunlight, and its fixed angle limits compositional flexibility. Also, no touchscreen or articulating mechanism reduces live view versatility for creative angles.

The RX100 II upgrades with a 3-inch tilting Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD at 1229k dots, offering excellent clarity and flexibility when shooting low or high angles. Though it lacks touchscreen capability, the tactile buttons and control ring compensate for precise manual adjustments. Additionally, the RX100 II offers an optional electronic viewfinder (sold separately) for those preferring eye-level framing - a luxury the TG-810 does not provide.

Ergonomically and interface-wise, the RX100 II caters better to photographers seeking finer control, especially in manual exposure modes.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures Matter

Neither camera is designed as a video powerhouse, but let’s see how they stack up.

• The TG-810 records 720p HD video at 30 fps in H.264 format with simple controls. No microphone input or advanced video features, but it does have sensor-shift stabilization active during video recording.

• The RX100 II records full HD (1080p) at 60 fps and 720p at 30 fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, offering greater framing options and smoother motion. Optical stabilization benefits video quality. Unfortunately, it lacks microphone or headphone jacks. Time-lapse recording is possible only through downloadable apps.

In my test shoots, the RX100 II delivers noticeably better video quality with smoother autofocus and richer detail - quite suitable for casual filmmaking or vlogging. The TG-810’s video is serviceable for documentation but limited for creative use.

Battery Life and Storage

• The TG-810 uses the Olympus proprietary LI-50B battery, rated for roughly 220 shots per charge in typical conditions.

• The RX100 II employs the NP-BX1 battery, offering about 350 shots per charge - a significant improvement, especially if you shoot heavily or use continuous shooting modes.

Storage-wise, both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the Sony additionally supports Memory Stick Duo variants, which might appeal if you’re invested in Sony’s ecosystem.

Connectivity and Extras

• The TG-810 offers Eye-Fi card compatibility, useful for wireless photo transfers in 2011-era terms, plus a built-in GPS for geotagging your adventures.

• The RX100 II includes built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for easy pairing and sharing but lacks GPS, which some outdoor shooters might find inconvenient.

USB and HDMI ports feature on both, but only the Sony supports external flashes, giving more creative control during flash photography.

Putting It All Together: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Best Use-Cases

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

Photographers come with different priorities - here’s how each camera fares:

Portraits

The RX100 II’s wide aperture and 1” sensor produce more flattering skin tones and smoother bokeh, critical for pleasing portraits. Face detection autofocus is more precise, helping pick out eyes and faces. TG-810 can manage casual portraits outdoors but struggles with background separation due to smaller sensor and slower aperture.

Landscapes

RX100 II’s resolution and dynamic range handle complex scenes with greater detail retention, especially in challenging light. Olympus’ ruggedness supports shooting in exposed environments, but image quality is the tradeoff.

Wildlife

Fast AF and high burst rates make RX100 II suitable for small animal photography in favorable conditions. TG-810’s slow AF limits it here; but it can handle underwater marine life shots with waterproof housing advantages.

Sports

RX100 II outperforms with 10 fps bursts and faster autofocus, though for professional sports, both cameras fall short due to limited overall speed and lens reach.

Street

RX100 II’s discreet design and silent operation lend it well to street shooting, combined with flexibility of manual control. TG-810 is bulkier and less subtle, mainly suited for casual snaps.

Macro

Olympus macro focus at 3cm is slightly better than RX100 II’s 5cm; however, neither camera is a dedicated macro tool. TG-810’s ruggedness allows closer approach in rough environments.

Night / Astrophotography

RX100 II’s high ISO and longer shutter speeds fare better under low light. Olympus limited ISO and smaller sensor restrict night capabilities.

Video

RX100 II is head and shoulders ahead with full HD capability at 60 fps and optical IS, making it suitable for casual filmmakers. TG-810 is basic with 720p.

Travel

TG-810 excels in rugged environments; RX100 II excels in image quality and flexibility in urban or benign conditions.

Professional Work

RX100 II offers raw shooting, manual exposure modes, and integration with professional workflows; TG-810 does not.

Overall Impression and Performance Ratings

Taking all factors into account, the Sony RX100 II clearly edges the Olympus TG-810 in sheer imaging prowess, manual control, and versatility. But it does so at the cost of weather resistance and ruggedness.

Sample Images: What You Can Expect in Real-World Use

Nothing beats seeing real output from these cameras in comparable conditions:

Olympus TG 810 front Olympus TG 810 screen back Sony RX100 II front Sony RX100 II screen back

Notice the softer detail and limited dynamic range of the TG-810 images versus crisp sharpness, better tonal transitions, and color fidelity of the RX100 II shots.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus TG-810 if:

• You need a camera to survive tough environments: wet, dusty, cold, or prone to drops.
• You prioritize durability and rugged convenience over image quality.
• You're an outdoor adventurer, underwater shooter, or casual photographer who values reliability.
• Your video needs are modest and you have no intention of manual controls.
• Your budget is around $400 and you want a solid waterproof compact.

Choose the Sony RX100 II if:

• You want a pocketable camera to rival a DSLR or mirrorless in image quality and manual control.
• Low light performance, wide aperture for portraits, and fast autofocus matter to you.
• You want a compact suitable for street, travel, landscape, and amateur wildlife photography.
• You shoot video regularly and demand 1080p at 60 fps quality.
• You're willing to handle the camera carefully in good weather, avoiding extreme environments.
• Your budget stretches to $600 for considerably better performance.

Wrapping Up: Which Compact Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

Personally, I find the Sony RX100 II an icon in the large sensor compact world, marrying image quality and portability in a finely tuned package. Its limitations are mostly environmental, so if you shoot indoors, cityscapes, portraits, or want a dependable secondary camera, it’s a strong contender.

The Olympus TG-810 holds nostalgic and practical value for anyone pushing the geographic limits of photography - divers, hikers, or those clumsy with equipment. Its ruggedness is a safety net no RX-series camera yet matches.

In a perfect world, you might have both: the TG-810 for adventures and the RX100 II for creative, image-focused shoots. But realistically, knowing your priorities and shooting environments will guide you best.

Happy shooting - wherever your photographic adventures take you!

If you found this comparative deep dive helpful, check out my hands-on video reviews for both cameras linked above, where I put sensors, lenses, and focusing through real-world field testing. See you behind the viewfinder!