Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Panasonic Lumix GF8: A Hands-On, In-Depth Camera Comparison

When photographers look for their next camera, they often face a bewildering array of choices - even between models that might seem worlds apart on paper. Today, I’m diving deep into a comparison that illustrates just that: the rugged Olympus TG-820 iHS, a tough compact from 2012 built for adventure, versus the 2016 Panasonic Lumix GF8, an entry-level mirrorless designed for everyday versatility and creative control. Both aim at different user needs but do have some overlap in compactness and appeal to casual photographers.

After many hours testing both cameras through a variety of photographic scenarios, I’m sharing not only technical specifications but insights from actual use cases, from portraits to landscapes, sports, and video. By dissecting sensor performance, autofocus capabilities, ergonomics, and more, I’ll help you understand which camera might best fit your shooting style and priorities.

Let’s get started - and I’ll illustrate key points with carefully selected images for clarity.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: The Tale of Two Camera Bodies

Right out of the gate, these cameras couldn’t be more different in design philosophy, yet they are surprisingly close in footprint. The Olympus TG-820 iHS is a compact, ruggedized point-and-shoot designed to withstand harsh environments - waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, even freezeproof. The Panasonic GF8 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless with a larger, more traditional camera body designed to accept a broad range of Micro Four Thirds lenses.

The TG-820's body measures 101×65×26 mm and weighs a light 206 grams, whereas the GF8 is a bit larger at 107×65×33 mm and heavier at 266 grams. That extra bulk accommodates interchangeable lenses and more extensive controls but also adds some heft to your gear bag.

Ergonomically, the TG-820 has relatively basic controls, with a fixed lens and no viewfinder or touchscreen, but the rubberized grip and physical shutter button feel secure, especially for outdoor shooting. The GF8 offers a tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1040k-dot resolution, matching the TG-820’s size but providing far more interaction flexibility. This tilting screen is very useful for creative angles and selfies (though the GF8 lacks a dedicated selfie-friendly mode).

The TG-820’s fixed lens and simple button layout keep shooting fast and straightforward, which I appreciated when photographing wildlife or hiking. In contrast, the GF8’s more complex control scheme and aperture/shutter priority modes cater to photographers wanting more creative input.

Handling Controls and Interface: Intuitive or Feature Rich?

Top-down control and quick access to critical settings can make or break a photographer’s experience in the field. Here, the GF8 evidences its leadership toward enthusiast users with more dials and buttons carefully laid out, while the TG-820 keeps it minimalistic.

The Olympus TG-820 has a traditional compact camera layout - shutter release, zoom lever, and mode dial along with a few menu buttons. It lacks dedicated dials for aperture or shutter speed, reflecting its simplified exposure control, aimed largely at full auto or program modes. It’s straightforward but limited.

The Panasonic GF8 ups the complexity and customization options - exposure compensation dial, PASM mode ring, and quick access buttons for ISO, white balance, and autofocus options. The touchscreen enhances usability dramatically, speeding up focus point selection and menu navigation. This interface suits those who want to learn manual techniques and experiment with settings.

For photographers who prize speed and ease, the TG-820’s simplicity rings true. For users keen on workflow versatility, autofocus fine-tuning, and exposure play, the GF8’s interface offers more control.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Compact Sensor vs. Micro Four Thirds

One of the biggest technical differentiators - and ultimately image-quality drivers - between these two cameras is sensor size. The TG-820 uses a tiny 1/2.3" CMOS sensor measuring 6.17×4.55 mm with a resolution of 12 megapixels, while the GF8’s Micro Four Thirds sensor is four times larger at 17.3×13 mm, carrying 16 megapixels.

From a practical standpoint, sensor size impacts image detail, dynamic range, low-light performance, and depth of field control. The GF8’s larger sensor offers greater flexibility. In my testing under various lighting conditions, the GF8 delivered superior image quality, particularly at higher ISO settings - critical for indoor, event, and evening shooting. The TG-820’s sensor showed visible noise above ISO 400, and the limited dynamic range meant highlights clipped faster and shadow detail was compressed.

However, the TG-820 still produced surprisingly vibrant and sharp images under good light, thanks in part to Olympus’s TruePic VI processor and the fixed lens optimized for its sensor size. The GF8’s raw shooting capability (absent in the TG-820) is a big plus for enthusiasts and pros who want to push images in post-processing.

If you must shoot in tricky light or want the best image fidelity, the GF8’s sensor unequivocally wins. For casual snapshots in daylight, the TG-820 holds its own.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

The autofocus (AF) systems in each camera reflect their target use cases. The TG-820 relies on contrast-detection AF with face detection and an AF tracking mode, albeit with no continuous AF. The GF8 adds 23 AF points (including cross-type sensors), offers continuous AF tracking, touch AF, and selectable focus areas.

During wildlife and sports testing, the GF8 locked focus faster and maintained tracking more reliably than the TG-820. For fast-moving subjects, particularly birds in flight or quick athletes, the GF8’s AF came through with more sharp frames and fewer misfocuses. The TG-820’s single AF mode and slower acquisition made it difficult to catch decisive moments beyond casual shooting distances.

At closer ranges, including macro and portraits, both cameras locked focus accurately, but the GF8’s selective AF points gave greater framing flexibility and focus on off-center subjects. Face detection worked well on both, but neither offered animal eye AF, which is now increasingly common in modern cameras.

In total, for autofocus-driven photography disciplines – sports, wildlife, and street photography with fast action – the GF8 is noticeably more competent. The TG-820 is better suited for static or slow-moving subjects.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Fixed vs. Interchangeable

Lens choice dictates not just focal length but optical quality and creative control. The Olympus TG-820 has a built-in 28–140 mm equivalent zoom that handles day-to-day scenarios well, including wide-angle landscapes and moderate telephoto for portraits or some wildlife. The lens’ maximum aperture of f/3.9–5.9 is modest and limits low-light performance and background separation.

The Panasonic Lumix GF8, with its Micro Four Thirds mount, taps into an extensive ecosystem of over 100 native lenses, from ultra-wide primes to professional telephotos and macro optics. This variety enables the GF8 to serve many photographic genres beyond casual snapshots - portraiture with fast primes, landscapes with sharp wide-angles, and sports with super-telephoto zooms.

For those wanting flexibility and room to grow technically, the GF8’s interchangeable lens system is a huge advantage. The trade-off is increased system weight and cost. The TG-820’s "all-in-one" convenience - rugged and ready right out of the box - suits casual travel and adventure shooters.

Performance in Key Photography Genres: What Each Camera Excels At

I’ve taken both cameras across various genres, noting how each performs in practical real-world scenarios:

• Portrait Photography: The GF8, equipped with Micro Four Thirds primes, captures better skin tones, smooth bokeh, and benefits from eye detection autofocus. The TG-820’s fixed lens and small sensor limit depth of field creativity and finer detail, though face detection works adequately indoors.

• Landscape Photography: The GF8’s larger sensor, wider dynamic range, and RAW format capability offer superior image quality for landscapes, especially under challenging light. The TG-820’s rugged weather sealing (IPX8 waterproofing, shockproof to 2m) and freezeproof rating are unmatched for landscape shooters tackling harsh environments.

• Wildlife Photography: The GF8’s quicker autofocus, higher frame rates (5.8 fps vs. 5 fps), and telephoto lens options make it more suitable here. The TG-820’s built-in zoom and shockproof design are handy for casual wildlife shots but limited for fast-moving subjects.

• Sports Photography: The GF8’s continuous AF tracking and faster shutter speeds (up to 1/16000s electronically) provide an edge. The TG-820 lacks shutter priority or aperture modes and slower shutter max of 1/2000s, capping sports shooting potential.

• Street Photography: The TG-820’s compact, rugged design is highly portable and discrete, perfect for spontaneous street scenes in dusty or wet environments. The GF8 offers better image quality and manual controls for creative street shooters but is bulkier.

• Macro Photography: Though neither camera offers a dedicated macro lens, the TG-820 supports ultra-close focusing down to 1 cm, delivering decent macro capability with stabilization. The GF8’s lens options create superior macro results, supplemented by focus peaking and magnified live view.

• Night / Astro Photography: The GF8’s larger sensor and higher ISO ceiling (up to ISO 25600) enable cleaner night and astro shots, especially when paired with fast lenses. The TG-820 struggles with noise beyond ISO 400 and lacks long exposures beyond 4 seconds.

• Video Capabilities: Both cameras shoot Full HD (1920x1080), but the GF8 supports 60p frame rates and AVCHD codec, providing smoother, more professional footage. Neither has external mic or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

• Travel Photography: The TG-820’s waterproof/dustproof design excels for adventurous travelers in unpredictable conditions, while the GF8 offers creative flexibility and wireless sharing. Battery life is similar - around 220–230 shots per charge.

• Professional Work: The GF8’s RAW support, manual controls, and lens choice make it a starter DSLR alternative in low-budget pro workflows. The TG-820 is more a rugged snapshot camera, less suited for demanding assignments.

For a clear visual of these performance traits by genre, see the chart below:

Image Quality Gallery: Real-World Comparison

To help visualize the practical differences, I captured simultaneous samples with each camera under controlled lighting across subjects: portraits, landscapes, macro, and low light.

Olympus TG 820 iHS front Olympus TG 820 iHS screen back Panasonic GF8 front Panasonic GF8 screen back

Notice how the GF8’s images have cleaner highlights and shadows, richer color gradations, and sharper fine detail - a result of sensor size and lens flexibility. The TG-820 delivers punchy, usable JPEGs straight from the camera but with noticeably softer edges and less highlight recovery. Its visible noise is increased in dimmer light.

Screen and Viewfinder Experience: Critical User Interaction

Both cameras forego an electronic viewfinder, a notable omission for advanced users. Instead, they rely on LCDs for framing and review.

The GF8’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1040k-dot resolution offers superior usability over the TG-820’s fixed 3-inch HyperCrystal III TFT LCD with a lower 1030-dot count and no touch capability. The touchscreen here becomes a huge asset for setting focus points on the fly and navigating menus quickly. If you often shoot at awkward angles or want speedy control changes, the GF8’s screen wins hands-down.

The TG-820’s fixed screen is adequate but feels a bit dated and limiting in bright outdoor situations. Neither screen suffers from major glare issues, and both provide clear image review.

Connectivity and Storage: Sharing and Backup

The Panasonic GF8 integrates wireless connectivity and NFC, allowing easier image transfer to smart devices and social media quickly after shooting - a feature I found indispensable for travel, street, and event photography. The TG-820 offers no wireless features and depends on USB and HDMI for file transfer.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with one slot each and comparable battery lives - around 220–230 shots per charge, which is modest by today’s standards and worth budgeting for spares.

Video Shooting: 1080p Performance

Though neither camera supports 4K recording, they do shoot Full HD video, but with notable differences:

• The TG-820 shoots 1080p at 30 fps with H.264 compression but lacks image stabilization during video capture. Its sensor size and lens limit background blur for video too.

• The GF8 ups the frame rate to 60p, allows AVCHD recording, and benefits from stabilizer lenses to smooth footage.

Neither camera offers external microphone or headphone ports, limiting control over audio quality. Both have basic exposure control during video, but the GF8’s PASM modes mean more nuanced video exposure.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: The Ruggedness Factor

This is where the TG-820 iHS truly shines. It is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters, shockproof from 2 meters, crushproof from 100 kgf, freezeproof to -10°C, and dustproof. For adventurous photographers who hike, dive, climb, or shoot in rough weather, this camera is nearly indestructible.

The GF8 lacks any weather sealing or rugged build, being a typical mirrorless rangefinder-style camera sensitive to dust and moisture. It requires more careful handling and protective gear outdoors.

Price and Value Considerations

At current market prices - approximately $500 for the TG-820 and around $550 for the GF8 - the GF8 offers better image quality, agility, and creative potential. However, the TG-820’s unique weatherproof ruggedness delivers value that outweighs pure specs for adventure photographers needing reliability in hostile environments.

So, which one represents better value is entirely situational. Casual shooters prioritizing durability pick the TG-820. Those wanting future-proofed versatility and image quality choose the GF8.

Summary and Recommendations: Which Camera Should You Choose?

From a seasoned photographer’s standpoint, my overall appraisal settles on these points:

• Choose the Olympus TG-820 iHS if:

  • You need a camera that can endure water, dust, extreme cold, and shocks without flinching.
  • You want a compact “grab-and-go” camera for casual outdoor shooting, hiking, snorkeling, or beach trips.
  • You prioritize simplicity and reliability over manual controls and interchangeable lenses.
  • You’re content with JPEGs and don’t require RAW or advanced video features.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix GF8 if:

  • You crave better image quality, manual control over exposures, and excellent autofocus versatility.
  • You are interested in growing your photography skills, experimenting with lenses, and shooting in diverse genres - portraits, landscapes, events.
  • You want wireless connectivity and a tactile, intuitive touchscreen interface to simplify advanced shooting.
  • You want smoother video options and the ability to shoot RAW for post-processing flexibility.

While both cameras share compact form factors, their intended user base and capabilities couldn’t be more different. I recommend prospective buyers consider their priorities carefully and match those with the visual, handling, and shooting experiences described here.

Owning these cameras myself for extensive testing underscored how critical ergonomics and sensor size are for specific shooting applications. While the TG-820 is a specialized tool in your kit for tough conditions, the GF8 functions as an excellent mirrorless entry point for creative photography enthusiasts.

I hope this detailed comparison guides your next purchase wisely - whether it’s rugged adventure-ready or artistic mirrorless versatility you seek.

For further hands-on insights and sample galleries, feel free to reach out or review our detailed testing workflows shared regularly.