Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony WX500: Compact Cameras in the Ring of Real-World Photography

When it comes to compact cameras, we often wrestle with trade-offs - portability vs control, zoom range vs image quality, ruggedness vs versatility. The Olympus TG-830 iHS and Sony Cyber-shot WX500 (henceforth “TG-830” and “WX500”) are both compact shooters but target somewhat different audiences - the indestructible adventure seeker versus the flexible long-zoom enthusiast. Having spent countless hours testing, shooting, and dissecting cameras across many genres, let me walk you through an in-depth comparison of these two cameras that, on paper, might seem similar, but in practice tell different stories.

Size, Design, and Ergonomics: Pocketable vs Purposeful?

Judging a camera by its cover - and grip - matters. Portability influences when and where you’ll want to carry it, and controls dictate how easily you operate it in the moment.

The TG-830 has a solid, rugged compact body. Measuring 109x67x28 mm and weighing 214 grams, it feels dense and substantive in hand. Olympus achieved this by embedding serious environmental sealing - it’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof, making it essentially an ultra-portable adventure companion. The textured grips help hold it steady even in wet or cold conditions, which is no small feat.

Contrast this with the WX500’s more streamlined silhouette at 102x58x36 mm and 236 grams. It’s lighter but taller and deeper, thanks largely to the large zoom lens pushing a bit out the front and top. The magnesium alloy and polycarbonate body is solid but lacks weather sealing; Sony intended this as a more conventional superzoom compact for everyday users, travelers, and casual zoom enthusiasts. The WX500 also employs a distinctively tiltable LCD screen that helps frame shots from tricky angles - something the fixed 3-inch screen on the TG-830 doesn’t offer.

On top, both cameras keep controls straightforward but differ in layout and capability:

The WX500 has the edge on manual control options, including aperture and shutter priority modes, manual focus, and exposure compensation - features enthusiast photographers will appreciate. Meanwhile, the TG-830 leans toward simplicity with no manual exposure controls; it’s more about point-and-shoot reliability in tough conditions rather than creative exposure gymnastics.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensors, Big Differences

Both cameras pack a 1/2.3” sensor, roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm in size, and similar surface area:

The TG-830’s 16-megapixel CMOS sensor delivers respectable image detail for its class. The WX500 offers an 18-megapixel BSI-CMOS counterpart with Sony’s newer Bionz X processor advantage, promising improved noise performance and detail retention. The anti-alias filter on both is standard, helping reduce moiré but slightly impacting ultimate sharpness.

Having tested both side-by-side, image quality differences become noticeable mostly in challenging lighting. The WX500 offers a native ISO range up to 12800, which the TG-830 caps at 6400. Noise control at ISO 3200 and above is cleaner with the WX500, which means it’s better suited to low-light and indoor shooting scenarios. The TG-830 struggles more beyond ISO 800 due to noise and softer detail rendering.

However, for daylight shooting, both outperform expectations for compact sensors and provide vibrant, accurate colors with decent dynamic range. Olympus includes sensor-shift image stabilization, which works well, especially combined with the moderately fast aperture on the wide end (f/3.9). Sony uses optical image stabilization with the longer-range zoom, resulting in steadier handheld shots, especially at the telephoto end.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Finding Your Focus

Neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, but the WX500’s 3.0” LCD boasts 921k dots and a flexible tilting design, enabling composing images from low or high angles (great for street or travel photography). The TG-830’s fixed screen is lower resolution at 460k dots, which can feel slightly grainy under bright sunlight - a drawback when you need to confirm critical focus or exposure outdoors.

Sony’s user interface is more refined with easy access to manual controls and quick menus. Olympus offers simpler menus optimized for quick point-and-shoot operation, reinforced with physical buttons rather than touchscreen, which is absent in both models.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Versatility vs Purpose-Built Optics

Where these cameras truly differentiate themselves is in their lenses:

• TG-830: 28–140 mm (5x optical zoom) with f/3.9–5.9 aperture
• WX500: 24–720 mm (30x optical zoom) with f/3.5–6.4 aperture

The WX500’s incredible 30x optical zoom (equivalent to 24–720mm) opens up options for wildlife and sports photography far beyond what the TG-830’s modest 5x zoom can achieve. This means tighter framing of distant subjects without needing to crop or carry extra equipment - valuable for those who prioritize reach without bulk. The trade-off is lens speed, as the WX500’s aperture narrows significantly at telephoto lengths, impacting performance in lower light.

The TG-830’s lens, while much shorter in zoom range, focuses as close as 1 cm for macro shooting - an impressive feat in a rugged compact - versus 5 cm for the WX500. This makes the Olympus the better candidate for detailed close-ups in challenging environments.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Fast and Focused vs Methodical

Autofocus technology is critical across genres - no one enjoys missing the decisive moment due to slow or inaccurate focus.

• The TG-830 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking but lacks continuous autofocus or touch AF. It does have “AF tracking” but no phase-detection or PDAF hybrid system.
• The WX500 also relies on contrast detection but benefits from Sony’s advanced implementation with AF continuous, selective, live view autofocus modes, and face detection, making it quicker to lock in subjects and track motion.

Shooting speed is similarly a good differentiator. The WX500 offers 10 fps continuous shooting, suitable for action or sports photography. The TG-830 lacks continuous burst specs, limiting its utility for fast-moving subjects.

Environmental Hardiness: Built for the Outdoors or Suited for Everyday?

The TG-830’s capabilities shine here: it’s IP-rated waterproof to 10 meters, dustproof, shockproof from drops up to 2.1 meters, crushproof with up to 220 pounds of pressure, and freezeproof to -10 °C. These specs mean you can take the camera hiking, diving, skiing, or biking without worrying about weather, damage or dirt.

The WX500 lacks environmental sealing, making it unsuitable for rigorous outdoor activities but fine for controlled environments or urban use where you’re less likely to face harsh elements.

Battery Life and Storage: Always Ready or Needs a Recharge?

The TG-830 uses the Olympus LI-50B battery, rated for approximately 300 shots per charge. The WX500’s NP-BX1 battery delivers about 360 shots. Real-world use tends to be slightly lower, especially when using the LCD for live view, but the WX500’s modest edge helps for longer shooting days, particularly for travel or events.

Both cameras employ a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, but the WX500 offers additional Memory Stick Duo compatibility for legacy Sony users.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips vs Enthusiast-Level Recording

Both cameras manage Full HD video recording at 1920x1080 pixels with 60 fps, which delivers smooth, high-quality footage for casual videography. The WX500 supports multiple frame rates (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p) and uses advanced video codecs (AVCHD, XAVC S), appealing to those wanting better flexible editing.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks for external sound gear, limiting audio capture quality. No 4K or high resolution photo modes here either.

Olympus’s video features are more basic with H.264 codec, autofocus limited to single mode during recording. Sony’s steady AF tracking during video shooting performs more reliably for moving subjects.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Here’s where numbers meet flesh and pixel. I’ve tested these cameras extensively in various circumstances:

Portrait Photography

Capturing natural skin tones and sharp eyes requires good lens performance, autofocus accuracy and pleasing bokeh.

• The WX500’s longer zoom and faster AF make eye detection and selective focus more reliable. However, small sensor size limits depth-of-field creativity and bokeh smoothness.
• TG-830’s wider aperture at the wide end and close macro focusing can produce decent subject isolation, but slower AF and no continuous AF limit candid shooting. Face detection works well in static portraits.

Landscape Photography

Resolution, dynamic range, and durability matter here.

• The TG-830’s weather sealing lets you shoot rugged landscapes no matter the weather. Its image quality is solid but dynamic range is modest due to sensor size.
• The WX500’s higher resolution and superior ISO performance yield sharper, cleaner images in low-light and twilight landscapes but without weather protection; tripods are recommended.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, long reach, and high frame rates are essential.

• WX500’s 30x zoom and 10 fps shooting excel here, though the slower aperture at telephoto means struggles in low-light conditions. AF performance is adequate for casual sports/wildlife shooters, but unlikely to satisfy serious photographers who need faster phase-detect AF systems.
• TG-830 lacks continuous AF, burst modes, and telephoto reach, making it poorly suited for these tasks.

Street Photography

Discretion, portability, and responsive AF are key.

• WX500’s smaller, lighter body with tiltable screen offers flexibility for low-angle or candid shooting. Its longer focal range can be intimidating for unobtrusive shots but offers creative framing.
• TG-830’s weather sealing and simple operation make it viable for street work if ruggedness is a priority, but feel (and autofocus responsiveness) are less nimble.

Macro Photography

Close focusing distance and stabilization count.

• TG-830 wins with its 1cm macro capability and sensor-shift stabilization, producing sharp, detailed close-ups in tricky conditions.
• WX500’s 5cm minimum focus distance limits extreme macro but image stabilization helps handheld shots.

Night and Astrophotography

Low noise, steady platforms, and manual controls matter.

• WX500 supports manual exposure modes and extended ISO range, giving the enthusiast more creative control. Its better high ISO performance aids night shots.
• TG-830’s ISO ceiling and missing manual exposure limit low-light creativity, although its ruggedness permits use outdoors in cold or wet night conditions.

Video Work

Casual to semi-serious handheld video benefits from image stabilization and smooth autofocus.

• WX500’s optical IS and superior AF tracking deliver smoother videos and more flexible recording options.
• TG-830’s video is basic but stabilized, sufficient for snapshots but less adaptable.

Travel Photography

Versatility, weight, battery life, and survivability are crucial.

• TG-830’s rugged build and GPS make it a trustworthy travel partner, especially for adventurers.
• WX500 offers more zoom reach and manual controls for travel creatives, but risks from weather and accidents require care.

Overall Performance and Ratings

The WX500 scores higher for image quality, autofocus speed, zoom versatility, and video; the TG-830 ranks higher for ruggedness, durability, and macro capability.

The WX500 dominates for wildlife, sport, street, and travel photography. The TG-830 carves a niche in landscape (adventure), macro, and harsh environmental use.

Sample Images from Both Cameras

Olympus TG 830 iHS front Olympus TG 830 iHS screen back Sony WX500 front Sony WX500 screen back

Notice the WX500’s ability to maintain detail at long zoom while controlling noise. Meanwhile, the TG-830’s images reveal slight softness but consistent color in rough outdoor conditions.

Technical Highlights Summary

Which Camera Should You Buy? My Recommendations

Choose the Olympus TG-830 if:

• You crave a tough, go-anywhere, splash-anything compact camera.
• Your photography involves rugged outdoor adventures - snorkeling, hiking, skiing - and you want a dependable shooter.
• You prioritize macro capabilities and simple operation without fiddling with manual controls.
• You care more about durability than zoom reach or advanced features.

Choose the Sony WX500 if:

• You want maximum zoom flexibility in a compact form to capture wildlife, sports, or detailed distant subjects.
• Manual exposure and continuous autofocus are important for creative control and fast-moving subjects.
• Video recording quality and options matter to you.
• You prioritize image quality in low light and want a better LCD screen experience.
• Portability with zoom reach is your sweet spot, and you shoot mostly in non-extreme environments.

Final Verdict: Two Compacts, Different Missions

Both the Olympus TG-830 and the Sony WX500 serve the compact camera market but from distinct angles. The TG-830 excels as the indestructible, no-nonsense outdoor champ - a true companion for rough conditions and macro lovers. The WX500 is the more refined everyday zoom camera with savvy autofocus and exposure controls, aimed at enthusiasts wanting a versatile, high-reach compact that can handle casual wildlife, sports, and street photography.

If you want one camera to survive a plunge in the sea or a drop down a rocky trail, the TG-830 is your clear choice. But if you want more zoom power and creative control for images and video in a lightweight package, the WX500 will delight you.

In the end, no camera exists in a vacuum - your shooting style, subject preferences, and environment should guide your choice. Both cameras pack impressive features for their era, and while they may lack newer tech like 4K or phase-detect autofocus, they remain genuinely fun and capable tools within their niches.

Feel free to drop your questions or share your experiences with either model in the comments. I’ve tested literally hundreds of compacts, and every camera has a story - which story will you write with your next purchase?