Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Ricoh GR: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Photography Companions

Choosing the right camera is a crucial step on your creative journey, whether you’re seeking rugged versatility or large-sensor image quality. Today, we put two compact cameras from 2013 head-to-head: the Olympus TG-830 iHS, known for its tough, waterproof design, and the Ricoh GR, a large sensor compact prized by street photographers for exceptional image quality and portability.

Both cameras were released within months of each other but serve very different photography purposes. We’ll explore how their features compare in real-world performance, across genres, and technical capabilities. Our goal is to help you find the best fit for your shooting style and creative ambitions.

Handling and Design: Rugged Durability vs Sleek Portability

Physically, these cameras could not be more different. The Olympus TG-830 iHS is built to endure the elements. At 109 x 67 x 28 mm and weighing just 214 grams, it’s compact yet robust. Its sturdy body is waterproof (to 10m), shockproof, freezeproof, dustproof, and crushproof, making it ideal for adventure and travel photography in unpredictable conditions.

By contrast, the Ricoh GR measures 117 x 61 x 35 mm and weighs 245 grams. It’s a slim, pocketable camera with a clean, minimalist design. The TG-830’s rounded profile gives it a comfortable grip despite its small size; meanwhile, the GR’s flat body has a textured front with a pronounced grip that invites one-handed shooting. However, it lacks weather sealing, so you’ll need to be careful in harsh environments.

If you prioritize ruggedness and want a camera that can literally go anywhere without extra protection, the TG-830 wins big here. But if you want an everyday carry camera that slips into your pocket and looks understated, the Ricoh GR’s sleek design has proven a cult favorite among street photographers for years.

Control Layout and Usability

Looking from above, the cameras reflect their intended uses. The TG-830’s controls are basic but designed for quick use with gloves or wet fingers. It doesn’t offer manual exposure modes but provides easy access to flash modes, face detection, and simple autofocus options. Given its category, manual controls are minimal by design.

The Ricoh GR, by contrast, has a more sophisticated control layout for photographers who want creative control on the fly. It features dedicated dials and buttons for aperture priority, shutter priority, exposure compensation, and manual shooting modes. The shutter speed range (1/300s to 1/4000s) and aperture flexibility give you precise control over exposure.

For photographers who want to micromanage exposure settings or shift quickly between modes, the GR is the clear choice. Beginners or casual shooters might find this complexity unnecessary, instead appreciating the TG-830’s approachable simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor Versus APS-C Powerhouse

Let’s get to the heart of image quality: the sensor. The TG-830 is equipped with a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor sized 6.17x4.55mm and 16 megapixels, standard for compact waterproof cameras. Image files max out at a resolution of 4608x3456 pixels. Meanwhile, the Ricoh GR boasts a larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.7x15.7mm, also with 16MP, but with far greater sensor surface area enabling superior performance.

In practical terms, the GR’s sensor area of 372.09 mm² dwarfs the TG-830's 28.07 mm², promising better noise handling at high ISO, improved dynamic range, and greater control over depth of field. Popular photography benchmarks confirm this: the Ricoh GR scores an excellent 78 DXOmark (overall), with 23.6 bits color depth and 13.5 stops dynamic range, well above typical compact cameras.

The TG-830 was not DXO tested, but similar sensors in this class tend to struggle with noise above ISO 800 and exhibit lower dynamic range, limiting post-processing flexibility. This distinction means if image quality is your priority - especially in challenging lighting - the GR consistently delivers cleaner images with richer tonal gradations.

Real-World Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Focus

Portraits demand fine skin tone rendition, pleasing background blur (bokeh), and sharp focus on the eyes.

• Olympus TG-830 iHS: The small sensor with a narrow diffuser lens aperture (f/3.9 to f/5.9) restricts background separation. However, built-in face detection autofocus helps capture faces accurately in casual snapshots. Its macro focus at 1 cm is good for close-ups, but you’ll notice a flatter, less creamy bokeh due to sensor and lens limitations.

• Ricoh GR: The GR’s APS-C sensor coupled with a bright f/2.8 fixed 28mm lens (equivalent to 42mm full-frame) allows more subject isolation and detailed skin texture, even indoors. Manual focus lets you tweak precisely on eyes or details, making it a favorite for street and environmental portraits. Note, it lacks face detection autofocus, so focus precision depends on your skill and technique.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape photographers seek expansive dynamic range, high resolution, and ideally weather sealing.

• TG-830 iHS: Its ruggedness enables shooting in harsh environments - rain, snow, or dust storms - without fear. However, its sensor’s dynamic range is limited, making it tough to retain detail in shadows and highlights on bright days without HDR techniques. At 16MP, resolution is adequate but not class-leading.

• Ricoh GR: Superior dynamic range and sensor resolution mean sharper, highly detailed landscape files ready for large prints or cropping. The lack of weather sealing means you’ll need extra precautions outdoors, but the image files have more latitude for post-process editing.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Autofocus Speed and Continuous Shooting

Tracking speed and frame rate matter most for wildlife and sports enthusiasts.

• TG-830 iHS: Offers autofocus with face detection and contrast detection-based tracking but doesn’t support continuous autofocus or burst shooting. Its shutter speed tops at 1/2000s. The max continuous shooting rate isn’t specified, but isn’t designed for action bursts.

• Ricoh GR: Supports continuous autofocus and 4fps burst mode, enough for casual sports action or wildlife in motion, especially in good light. Max shutter speed of 1/4000s helps freeze fast subjects too.

In this category, the GR’s AF and burst capability win, though neither is optimized for high-speed sports akin to specialized mirrorless or DSLR cameras.

Street Photography and Discreet Shooting

Street shooters prize stealth, quick reaction, and great image quality.

• The TG-830 iHS is bulkier, with a zoom lens that might draw attention and slower AF. It lacks eye-friendly viewfinders but has a 3-inch fixed LCD. Its rugged look is less discreet.

• The Ricoh GR excels here. Its slim, inconspicuous profile pairs with a street-friendly 28mm lens, fast manual focus, and silent shutter options. The optional optical viewfinder aids composition without drawing focus. Its impressive image quality permits low-light shooting with confidence.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Macro requires precise focusing and either dedicated macro modes or lens design.

• TG-830 iHS has a notable 1cm macro focusing distance and sensor-shift image stabilization, which helps handheld close-ups.

• Ricoh GR does not specify macro range but with manual focus and crisp APS-C optics, you can achieve respectable close-ups, though not as close as the Olympus.

Viewfinder and Screen: User Interface Insights

Both cameras feature 3-inch fixed rear screens, but their quality differs:

• The TG-830 has a 460k-dot fixed LCD - bright enough in shadows but sometimes challenging in bright sunlight.

• The Ricoh GR boasts a sharp 1230k-dot TFT LCD, providing vibrant, clear previews critical for manual focusing and precise exposure checks.

Neither offers touchscreens or built-in electronic viewfinders, though the GR supports an optional optical viewfinder.

Video Capabilities

Video is often a secondary feature but important for versatile creators.

• Olympus TG-830 iHS: Shoots Full HD 1080p at 60fps, with basic H.264 encoding. No microphone or headphone ports; video quality is fair for casual use, boosted by in-body stabilization.

• Ricoh GR: Also offers 1080p video but capped at 30fps, encoded in MPEG-4. Lacks external audio inputs and stabilization, limiting pro video use.

Neither camera is ideal for serious videography, but the TG-830’s smoother 60fps option and stabilization edge makes it better suited for casual outdoor videos.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs, similar in capacity (Olympus LI-50B and Ricoh DB65), delivering around 290-300 shots per charge. Given similar battery life, consider carrying spares for longer sessions.

Both use a single SD card slot supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, ensuring ample storage flexibility.

Connectivity and Extras

• Olympus TG-830 iHS: Despite lacking wireless connectivity, it includes built-in GPS, a valuable feature for travel and adventure photographers who want to geotag their images.

• Ricoh GR: Lacks GPS but offers Eye-Fi compatibility for wireless photo transfer with supported cards, facilitating workflow efficiency.

Neither camera includes Bluetooth or NFC, typical for their release time.

Sample Image Analysis: See the Difference for Yourself

When comparing sample photos from both cameras side by side:

Olympus TG 830 iHS front Olympus TG 830 iHS screen back Ricoh GR front Ricoh GR screen back

• The Ricoh GR’s images are noticeably sharper, with richer color rendition and less noise at higher ISO settings.

• The Olympus TG-830 images, while softer and less detailed, deliver punchy colors and enough clarity for casual sharing and environmental portraiture.

This contrast reiterates the sensor’s vital role in final image quality. Yet, the rugged TG-830 produces reliably pleasing shots even under difficult conditions where the GR might require caution.

Overall Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

A synthesized performance rating places the Ricoh GR ahead overall on image quality and creative control, with the Olympus TG-830 scoring points for durability and versatility in harsh environments.

Breaking down by photography type:

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus TG-830 iHS if you:

• Need an ultra-rugged camera for outdoor adventures, hiking, diving, or rough travel
• Prefer waterproof and shockproof reliability without extra cases
• Want easy-to-use automatic shooting without fuss over exposure controls
• Appreciate in-camera GPS geotagging for travel memories
• Are satisfied with good enough image quality for casual sharing and print

Choose the Ricoh GR if you:

• Want superior image quality from a large APS-C sensor in a pocketable compact
• Desire manual exposure modes, aperture priority, and precise manual focus control
• Shoot street photography, environmental portraits, or landscapes needing rich tone and sharpness
• Value portability and discreet styling for candid photography
• Require RAW support and better post-processing flexibility

Final Thoughts: Fit Your System to Your Creative Vision

Both the Olympus TG-830 iHS and Ricoh GR represent thoughtful engineering tuned to different needs. The TG-830 is a rugged, do-anything camera that can withstand nature’s unpredictability, an excellent choice if your photography involves travel, water sports, or places where a fragile camera risks damage.

The Ricoh GR is a tool for photographers who seek creative control, image quality, and portability. Its large sensor and fast lens reward those who develop their technical skills and embrace manual operation. While less adventure-proof, its image output is a significant step up in quality.

We recommend testing both cameras in your hands if possible. Feel the ergonomics, try focusing, and envision your shooting scenarios. The right camera not only matches your style but inspires you to shoot more, grow your skills, and capture moments with confidence.

Summary Table: Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Ricoh GR

Ready to Explore?

Whether you lean toward the Olympus TG-830 for rugged adventures or the Ricoh GR for refined creativity, both cameras open up new perspectives. Consider your shooting conditions and how much control you want over your images. Whichever you choose, you’re investing in a device that encourages capturing life’s moments in compelling ways.

For hands-on experience, check out local stores for in-person trials and pair your camera with accessories like extra batteries, sturdy cases, or ND filters to enhance your shooting options.

We hope this detailed comparison clarifies the strengths and limitations of these two unique cameras. Happy shooting!