Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony H200

Choosing the Right Companion: Olympus TG-820 iHS vs. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200

In my 15+ years as a photography equipment tester, it’s clear that selecting the right camera boils down to more than just specs on paper. It’s about how a camera performs in your hands, under real-world conditions, and whether it matches your photographic style and priorities. Today, I’m diving deep into two intriguing compact zoom cameras from the early 2010s that still capture interest for their unique strengths: the Olympus TG-820 iHS - a rugged, waterproof compact - and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200, a bridge-style superzoom powerhouse.

Having tested both extensively across varied scenarios - from casual travel and street snapshots to macro still life and outdoor adventures - I will walk you through the practical nuances shaped by their design, image quality, autofocus, and other core traits. Whether you’re an enthusiastic hobbyist looking for durability or a budget-conscious shooter craving reach, this comparative review aims to illuminate which of these two stands out for your needs.

Let’s start by looking at how these cameras stack up physically…

A Tale of Two Bodies: Compact Ruggedness Meets SLR-Style Bulk
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When I place the Olympus TG-820 iHS beside the Sony H200, the physical differences are immediately striking. The TG-820 measures a slim 101 x 65 x 26mm and weighs a mere 206 grams - it’s truly pocketable and built to endure rough handling. Olympus engineered this camera to be waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof, and dustproof, giving it a clear advantage for outdoor adventurers and travelers who want to photograph in rain, snow, or dusty trails. The tactile buttons provide confidence when shooting with gloves or wet hands.

By contrast, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 borrows its design heavily from DSLR styling but remains a bridge camera with a fixed lens. It’s far chunkier (123 x 83 x 87mm) and heavier at 530 grams. The grip is comfortable for extended shooting sessions, but you’ll never slip it in a jacket pocket. There’s no environmental sealing, so you’ll want to keep it dry and clean. Nevertheless, the SLR-like handling will appeal to users who crave the feel of a bigger camera and prefer a pronounced grip to steady their superzoom endeavors.

When I tested both, I appreciated the TG-820 for spontaneous travel shoots - where minimal bulk and worry-free weather resistance counted - while the Sony’s heft gave me shooting confidence during lengthy outdoor sessions where I wanted closer action or wildlife.

Design and Control Layout: Simple and Rugged versus Functional and Familiar
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Checking the top views reveals how Olympus commits to straightforward ruggedness. The TG-820’s control layout is sparse but well spaced, with large, non-illuminated buttons and a mode dial that’s easy to access even with gloves. There’s no electronic viewfinder on either camera, but the TG-820’s controls revolve around quick access to flash, focus modes, and shooting modes suited to outdoor usage.

The Sony H200, by comparison, sports a familiar DSLR-like top layout with a mode dial, dedicated zoom rocker surrounding the shutter button, and slightly more nuanced function buttons. Though it lacks touchscreen capability, its controls allow you to access white balance bracketing and shooting modes quickly, a plus when experimenting with exposure. The Sony’s plastic build feels less robust, but ergonomics benefit from the larger size and deeper grip.

Both cameras lack advanced manual exposure options like aperture or shutter priority, but their interfaces suit their target users: the TG-820 for rugged ease and the H200 for versatile superzoom shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensors, Different Priorities
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Under the hood, both the Olympus and Sony share a 1/2.3-inch sensor format measuring approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm - a common size in compact cameras but small by modern standards. The Olympus TG-820’s sensor is 12 megapixels, while the Sony H200 packs a 20-megapixel CCD sensor.

The TG-820’s CMOS sensor paired with the TruePic VI processor promises better noise performance and sensitivity. Olympus’s sensor delivers respectable images in good light with pleasing color rendering, especially skin tones, thanks to its accurate face detection autofocus. However, image quality dips notably above ISO 800, where noise becomes intrusive.

Sony’s DSC-H200’s CCD sensor offers higher resolution photos, which on paper means more detail and cropping latitude. But in practice, CCD sensors tend to perform weaker under low light and higher ISOs. Indeed, I found that images from the H200 started to degrade noticeably past ISO 400, with coarse grain and muted colors. The H200’s slightly faster max aperture at the wide end (f/3.1 vs. f/3.9) helps somewhat in dim spots but not enough to offset sensor limitations.

In terms of dynamic range, neither camera competes with today’s larger sensor compacts or mirrorless models, but both handle bright highlights moderately well, with the TG-820 holding slightly better shadow detail - useful when shooting landscapes with tricky lighting.

If you prioritize resolution and long zoom reach over low-light prowess, Sony’s CCD sensor may satisfy. But for cleaner everyday photos and better color science, Olympus edges ahead. Neither supports RAW capture, which limits post-processing flexibility.

Viewing and Composing: LCDs Only with Different Detail Levels
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Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, which is expected in this category and price range but makes a high-quality rear LCD essential.

The Olympus TG-820 sports a fixed 3-inch screen with a 1030k-dot “HyperCrystal III” TFT Color LCD, which is bright and sharp enough to review images easily in daylight and compose with clarity. The TG-820’s screen reflects its rugged ethos - it’s durable and visible even when wet.

The Sony H200 also has a 3-inch fixed screen but with a lower 460k-dot resolution using ClearPhoto LCD technology. This means images appear less sharp and colors less punchy on the H200’s LCD, especially outdoors. The screen’s viewing angles tend to shift, so precise framing under bright sunlight can be tricky.

If you rely heavily on the rear screen for composition and reviewing shots on the go, the Olympus offers a more pleasant user experience.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus, Burst, and Real-World Performance

Despite their simplicity, autofocus systems make or break usability. Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus without phase detection, limiting speed in low light or fast action.

The TG-820 features face detection with limited eye detection and multi-area AF, which performed reliably during portrait sessions. Its AF was quick enough for casual snapshots but struggled to track moving subjects in wildlife or sports scenarios. Continuous autofocus is not supported.

Sony’s H200 raises burst speed to an appealing 8 fps compared to 5 fps on the TG-820, enhancing chances to capture fleeting moments. However, its autofocus exhibited the expected lag for a contrast-detection CCD system; it required patience locking focus before shooting fast-moving subjects. Face detection also works, though less refined than Olympus’s, and it lacks eye detection.

If capturing wildlife or sports is a priority, neither camera specializes here, but the Sony’s faster burst rate may help snag a few more frames. For portraits or street shooting, Olympus feels more consistent in locking focus on faces.

Sample Images: Colors, Detail, and Bokeh

Seeing is believing. Here are side-by-side examples I shot with each camera across various conditions so you can judge strengths visually.

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Portrait photography with the TG-820 reveals creamy skin tones and natural background separation from its 28-140mm f/3.9-5.9 lens. Though its aperture is modest, its 5× zoom multiplier and sensor shift stabilization help isolate subjects reasonably, creating attractive bokeh in close-ups.

The Sony’s aggressive zoom range (24-633mm f/3.1-5.9) enables extreme telephoto portraits, but softness creeps in at the long end. Midrange portraits display more resolution detail due to 20MP, though skin tone rendering occasionally looks washed out under mixed lighting.

Landscape shots reveal Olympus’s better handling of dynamic range, preserving detail in skies and shadows. Sony delivers greater pixel count benefit when shooting wide vistas, yet the CCD sensor reduces clarity somewhat under low contrast or backlit conditions.

Both cameras show limited macro capability - the Olympus can focus down to 1 cm, offering excellent close-ups of flowers or textures, while the Sony’s macro range starts at 20 cm, less flexible but still functional for casual macro snaps. The Olympus’s sensor-shift image stabilization improves hand-held macro shooting, a noticeable bonus.

Wildlife and sports imagery showcase the Sony’s longer reach and faster burst shooting, but autofocus speed limits success to slower subjects or planned shots. Both struggle tracking birds or kids in action.

Overall Performance Ratings Summed Up
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Based on technical testing and field experience, here are my overall scores out of 10 for crucial performance areas:

Genre-Specific Strengths and Suitability
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Let’s break down how each camera performs within major photography genres - a helpful guide for buyers with specific interests:

Portrait
Olympus wins here for natural skin tone reproduction, useful face detection, and macro-close focus ability. Sony’s extra megapixels offer sharper detail in perfect lighting but fall short in color accuracy.

Landscape
Olympus’s weather sealing allows worry-free shooting in challenging conditions, paired with respectable dynamic range. Sony’s higher resolution helps for large prints, but lack of seal is a detriment outdoors.

Wildlife
Sony’s massive zoom range (24 to 633 mm) and faster burst rate give a clear advantage, though autofocus speed remains a bottleneck.

Sports
Neither excel, but Sony’s burst rate slightly outperforms Olympus’s. Both struggle with subject tracking due to contrast-based AF.

Street
Olympus offers compact size, subdued design, and ruggedness enabling quick, casual street snaps. Sony’s bulk limits portability, and its loud zoom operation reduces discretion.

Macro
Olympus is the better macro shooter with 1 cm minimum focus and stabilization support, producing detailed shots without tripod reliance.

Night/Astro
Both cameras share small sensors with limited ISO performance. Olympus is marginally better, but neither is recommended for serious astrophotography.

Video
Olympus records Full HD 1080p at 30fps using H.264 codec - good enough for casual clips. Sony maxes at 720p in MPEG-4/AVCHD format - a step behind on quality.

Travel
TG-820’s compact, rugged design and decent battery life make it ideal for travel photography that requires reliable function in diverse environments. Sony’s size and lack of sealing push it toward more planned shooting trips.

Professional Use
Neither can replace a professional tool due to no RAW, limited manual controls, and small sensors. Olympus’s build quality might appeal to outdoor professionals on a tight budget needing durability.

A Close Look at Build Quality and Durability

A big factor for me in choosing between these two was reliability in adverse conditions. Olympus’s attention to environmental sealing really stood out during field testing: it survived heavy rain showers, dust storms in arid areas, and accidental drops with no damage or compromised functionality.

The Sony H200 feels solid enough for everyday use but lacks any form of protection against moisture or shocks. Careful handling is mandatory, especially when bringing such a hefty camera outdoors.

In practice, if you frequently shoot in unpredictable weather, the TG-820’s ruggedness offers peace of mind most users will appreciate.

Handling and User Interface Insights

While operating these cameras, I noted the Olympus’s simpler button layout encourages fast adjustments with minimal distraction. Absence of a touchscreen was felt but not missed, as physical buttons are more reliable with gloves or dirt-covered hands.

Sony’s H200 offered a familiar DSLR-like grip and control placement, valuable when shooting for extended periods or steadying the long zoom lens. However, the lower-res LCD and no viewfinder mean greater reliance on framing by feel.

Both cameras feature basic manual white balance with bracketing but lack advanced exposure controls like shutter or aperture priority. Exposure compensation is missing, slightly limiting creative control.

Video Features and Capability Comparison

For content creators who might dabble in video, the Olympus TG-820 provides a better package. It records Full HD 1080p at 30 frames per second in solid H.264 MPEG-4 format. Its sensor-shift stabilization helps noticeably smooth handheld footage, a boon when hiking or on the move.

Sony’s DSC-H200 maxes at 1280 x 720 resolution (HD Ready) at 30fps, using MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs. Although acceptable for casual video, it lacks the sharp detail and fluidity of the TG-820’s output. Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting sound options.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Battery endurance was fairly close, with Sony’s usage of 4 AA cells yielding about 240 shots per charge under normal conditions, depending on alkaline or rechargeable types. Olympus’s proprietary LI-50B battery offers around 220 shots. The TG-820’s rechargeable pack is compact and efficient, but the Sony’s AA batteries mean less worry about replacements on extended adventures.

Both cameras utilize a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot for storage. Sony additionally supports multiple Memory Stick formats, allowing more flexibility if you already own Sony accessories.

Lens Performance and Image Stabilization

Olympus’s lens covers a modest 28-140mm equivalent zoom and maximum aperture of f/3.9 to f/5.9. This five-times zoom range delivers quality images with good corner sharpness and minimal distortion. Its sensor-shift image stabilization effectively reduces blur with slower shutter speeds and during macro work, enhancing handheld usability.

Sony’s lens offers an astounding 26.4× optical zoom (24-633mm equivalent), great for distant subjects but carries increased optical compromises at the telephoto end - softness and chromatic aberration become apparent. Its optical image stabilization helps but cannot fully counteract handshake at extreme reaches.

Therefore, the TG-820 favors image clarity and stabilization in moderate zoom, while the H200 prioritizes extreme reach at the cost of optical compromises.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity like WiFi, Bluetooth, or NFC, which is understandable given their era and market segment. Olympus provides HDMI output for external viewing, a helpful plus missing from Sony’s H200.

USB 2.0 ports on both cameras enable file transfers and charging support (Olympus LI-50B for standalone), but only minimal remote shooting or tethering workflows are possible.

Price-to-Performance and Who Should Buy Which?

At launch, the Olympus TG-820 retailed around $500, roughly double the Sony H200’s $250 price point. This price gap reflects Olympus’s rugged construction, sensor tech, and video flexibilities versus Sony’s superzoom reach and larger sensor resolution.

Here is how I’d advise camera shoppers based on my hands-on experience and balanced assessment:

Buy the Olympus TG-820 if:

• You need a highly durable camera for adventure, travel, or harsh environmental conditions.
• Reliable image stabilization and macro capabilities matter to you.
• You prefer better video quality and sharper rear LCD usability.
• You prioritize accurate color rendering and facial recognition for portraits.
• Compactness and weather sealing are must-haves in your kit.

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 if:

• You want a superzoom camera with the longest possible focal range on a budget.
• You mostly shoot in good light and want higher pixel counts for cropping or large prints.
• You appreciate DSLR-like ergonomics and a large grip for comfortable holding.
• You prioritize burst shooting speed for casual action or wildlife snapping.
• You have no plans to expose the camera to rough weather or moisture.

Final Thoughts: Real-World Testing Tells the Tale

Through my extensive testing processes - including structured image quality analysis under controlled lighting, continuous shooting stress tests, weatherproof field trials, and practical day-to-day shooting sessions - these two cameras reveal distinctive personalities tailored to very different user profiles.

The Olympus TG-820 iHS is a rugged, versatile compact engineered to withstand demanding conditions while delivering reliable image quality with solid video capabilities. The Sony DSC-H200 is an affordable entry for zoom enthusiasts who crave reach and resolution but can trade off durability and some image fidelity.

Neither camera competes with modern mirrorless systems or advanced compacts, but each holds value as a specialized tool. Your choice hinges on what you prioritize most: adventurous resilience versus zoom versatility.

With these insights and sample images, I hope you’re better equipped to make an informed decision rooted in practical experience, not just specs. Feel free to ask me about specific shooting scenarios or how either camera performed in my tests - I’m always happy to share more nuanced feedback.

Happy shooting!