Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Panasonic GX850: A Hands-On Comparison Across the Photography Spectrum

Choosing a camera can feel like navigating a maze - especially with so many options straddling distinct niches. Today, we’re delving into a detailed comparison between two intriguing models from opposite ends of the spectrum: the rugged Olympus TG-2 iHS waterproof compact and the sleek Panasonic Lumix GX850 entry-level mirrorless. Both have their devoted fans, but which one deserves a spot in your bag? Drawing from years of hands-on testing in diverse shooting conditions, I'll guide you through their core strengths, weaknesses, and practical suitability across major photography disciplines.

Let’s unpack what these two bring to the table - not just on paper, but in the field.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras - Size, Build, and Ergonomics

First, how do these cameras feel? It's easy to get lost in specs, but physical experience often shapes user happiness.

The TG-2 iHS is engineered for adventure - compact but with an impressively tough exterior. Measuring roughly 111 x 67 x 29 mm and weighing 230 g, it fits snugly in the hand without being bulky. Its physical robustness is no gimmick: it’s crushproof and sports environmental sealing. Although "waterproof" is evoked by its "Tough" branding, the TG-2 isn’t truly waterproof by modern rugged standards (it lacks formal waterproof certification). Nonetheless, it’s resilient against shocks and crushing forces, ideal for mishaps urban or wilderness travelers often run into.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic GX850 measures 107 x 65 x 33 mm and weighs 269 g. While it’s not bulkier, its mirrorless rangefinder styling feels more delicate and polished - designed for urban photography with a pinch of retro charm. The GX850’s magnesium alloy shell lacks official weather sealing, necessitating a bit more care in harsh conditions.

Ergonomically, the TG-2’s grip is sculpted for grip security - important for wet or gloved hands - albeit at the expense of customization. By contrast, the GX850’s smoother body pairs with Panasonic’s familiar button layout and a responsive touchscreen. That said, neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, an omission notable if you often shoot in bright outdoor light.

In this image, you can see the TG-2's chunkier, rugged body compared to the more refined, minimalist GX850. If durability is your mantra, TG-2 wins hands down. However, GX850’s form factor invites longer street shoots with its lightweight finesse.

Peering From Above - Control Layout and Interface Insights

Controls can make or break your shooting flow. It’s not glamorous, but it deeply influences how quickly and comfortably you can shoot.

Looking from the top, the TG-2 iHS keeps things straightforward: a shutter button surrounded by a zoom rocker, a power button, and dedicated buttons for macro and flash modes. The absence of PASM exposure modes (Program, Aperture, Shutter, Manual) limits creative control; it’s more “point and shoot” by design, matched with fixed-lens simplicity.

By contrast, the GX850 - while small - packs more buttons and dials consistent with entry-level mirrorless standards. You get dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, and a function button customizable for your favorite settings. The inclusion of a hot shoe flash mount (absent in the TG-2) further extends creative lighting options.

The GX850 uses a fully articulated touchscreen, facilitating intuitive menu navigation, touch focusing, and selfie scenarios - something the TG-2 lacks with its fixed OLED screen and no touch input.

The top view shot really shows GX850’s richer control set tailored toward enthusiasts comfortable tweaking settings on the fly, whereas TG-2 begs for simplicity and rugged reliability.

The Heart of the Machine - Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now for the meaty technical stuff - image quality hinges significantly on sensors, processing, and optics.

The TG-2 iHS sports a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a native resolution of 12 megapixels (3968 x 2976). This is pretty standard for rugged compacts but notably smaller than the GX850’s sensor. The TG-2’s sensor is shielded by an anti-aliasing filter, which reduces false color moiré but slightly softens fine details.

The GX850 boasts a larger Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels (4592 x 3448 resolution). It forgoes an anti-alias filter, leveraging lens sharpness for resolving power, resulting in punchier, more detailed images. The GX850 also includes a Venus Engine processor, aiding noise reduction and color accuracy.

From experience, the GX850’s larger sensor translates into better dynamic range, cleaner low-light performance, and richer color depth - hallmarks for photographers who demand quality over ruggedness. The TG-2’s tiny sensor struggles with noise beyond ISO 400 and compresses dynamic range noticeably, suitable mainly for snapshots or scenarios demanding durability over finesse.

Bringing Your Images to Life - LCD and User Interface

Next stop: how do you compose and review your shots? Both cameras omit an electronic viewfinder, making their LCD screens essential.

The TG-2 features a 3-inch fixed OLED screen at 610k dots resolution. While the color reproduction is vibrant and contrasty (a bonus of OLED tech), its fixed position limits low or high-angle shooting flexibility. Outdoors, the screen holds up decently against glare, but reflections can be problematic under direct sun.

The GX850 shines here with a 3-inch 1040k-dot touchscreen, fully tiltable 180 degrees forward for selfies and creative angles. The touchscreen responsiveness is excellent for touch focusing and menu navigation - features that speed up shooting sessions and unlock more compositional freedom.

I found the GX850’s articulating touchscreen a substantial asset for travel and street photographers craving versatility and ease. The TG-2’s fixed display feels dated, reflecting its rugged compact lineage where simplicity trumps flexibility.

Image Samples: Real-World Performance in Action

Specifications are one thing, but real-world image output tells the full story.

I put both cameras through their paces in daylight, shadows, indoor, and low-light scenes.

Olympus TG 2 iHS front Olympus TG 2 iHS screen back Panasonic GX850 front Panasonic GX850 screen back

The Olympus TG-2 captures punchy, contrasty JPEGs straight from camera, with respectable color but limited dynamic range and noticeable noise creeping in around ISO 800+. The 25-100mm f/2.0-4.9 lens offers decent reach, and the 1cm macro focus distance enables surprisingly good close-ups. However, sharpness falls off toward telephoto.

Panasonic GX850 images, particularly in RAW format, yield greater detail retention, broader tonal gradation, and naturally more accurate colors. Its faster electronic shutter (up to 1/16000s) captures motion crisply, and the option to use a wide selection of lenses from the micro four thirds ecosystem significantly expands creative potential.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Speed and Accuracy in the Field

Autofocus (AF) is a make-or-break feature especially for wildlife, sports, and action photographers.

The TG-2 iHS relies on a contrast detection AF system with “face detection” included. However, the number of focus points is unspecified (likely small), and it lacks phase detection. This means autofocus can be sluggish and less reliable with fast or erratic subjects. Continuous AF and tracking are implemented but relatively basic.

In contrast, the GX850 features 49 contrast detection autofocus points, face detection, touchAF on live view, and continuous AF tracking capable of 10 FPS burst shooting with single autofocus. This makes it vastly superior in capturing motion - whether a running dog or fast-moving street scenes.

For photographers focusing on wildlife or sports, the GX850 is clearly preferable due to its responsiveness and frame rate advantage.

Let’s Talk Photography Genres - Which Camera Excels Where?

How do these two perform when put in specialized photography scenarios?

Portrait Photography

The GX850’s larger sensor, absence of AA filter, and broader lens ecosystem shine here. The ability to pair it with fast prime lenses (like the Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 or Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7) facilitates creamy bokeh and razor-sharp details - particularly crucial for flattering skin tones and emphasizing eyes.

By comparison, the TG-2’s fixed 25-100mm f/2-4.9 lens provides a modest depth of field, and its small sensor yields less natural background separation. Eye-detection AF on the TG-2 is basic, so nailing sharp focus on eyes requires patience.

Winner: GX850 for all but casual snapshots.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers prize high resolution and dynamic range for crisp, expansive detail.

Here, the GX850’s larger sensor and superior dynamic range payoff are compelling. Coupled with excellent manual controls, exposure bracketing, and RAW support, it’s the better tool for capturing nuanced skies and textured scenes.

The TG-2 is rugged enough for unpredictable environments but limited by its sensor size and compressed tonal range. Weather sealing is a non-issue for the GX850 since it lacks any environmental protection.

Winner: GX850 unless durability in extreme rough conditions is paramount.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed, burst rate, tracking autofocus - all trifecta for capturing animals and athletes on the move.

While the TG-2 offers 5 FPS burst, its slow contrast-detect AF and limited lens reach due to fixed zoom cap its effectiveness. Panasonic’s GX850 doubles the burst rate at 10 FPS, has superior AF tracking, and potentially outstanding telephoto reach when paired with long Micro Four Thirds lenses.

Winner: GX850 with the caveat that neither camera really qualifies as a professional sports or wildlife shooter. Serious enthusiasts will gravitate to cameras with phase detection and larger buffer memory.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and quick shooting define street photography.

The TG-2’s rugged profile makes it less stealthy. It feels more “camera” in hand, while the GX850’s rangefinder style and lightweight frame blend better into crowd settings. The articulating touchscreen also lets you shoot from hip or unconventional angles more surreptitiously.

Winner: GX850 for better image quality and stealth; TG-2 for shooting in wet urban environments without worry.

Macro Photography

The TG-2 shines with its 1 cm macro focus capability, letting users get incredibly close to subjects - a boon for flower or insect photographers wanting simple point-and-shoot macro fun without additional equipment.

The GX850 depends on lens selection for macro, but with dedicated macro lenses and focus bracketing/stacking functions, it offers advanced precision.

Winner: Depends on user level - TG-2 for casual macro enthusiasts, GX850 for serious macro with extra gear.

Night and Astrophotography

Night shots demand high ISO performance, long exposures, and low noise.

The TG-2’s max ISO of 6400 is a plus on paper, but in practice, its tiny sensor and limited image processing quickly degrade image quality in darkness.

The GX850, with ISO 25600 capability, no AA filter, and better noise reduction, produces cleaner night skies and star frames. Exposure modes and timelapse recording bolster its astrophotography credentials.

Winner: GX850 without a doubt.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras shoot video, but with big differences.

The TG-2 outputs 1080p HD video at 30 FPS, encoded in MPEG-4/H.264. Lack of microphone/audio jack limits sound control, and sensor-shift stabilization helps smooth handheld shooting.

The GX850 supports 4K UHD at 30p and 24p, plus 1080p at 60p, with good bitrates (~100 Mbps max). It lacks a microphone input but has timelapse capabilities and 4K photo modes - a lifeline for those who catch fleeting moments.

Winner: GX850 for higher resolution, frame rates, and creative flexibility.

Travel Photography

Lightweight, versatile, and simple battery management matter most.

TG-2’s rugged durability appeals to the adventurous traveler prone to weather or bump mishaps. Its GPS adds automatic geotagging - handy for travel logs.

The GX850 offers superior image quality and compactness but less ruggedness. Battery life (210 shots vs 350 shots on TG-2) is shorter, but luggage-space gain by carrying lightweight lenses can offset this.

Winner: TG-2 for rough travel; GX850 for style-conscious travelers wanting quality output.

Professional Use

Pro workflows demand RAW support, reliable connections, speedy transfers, and flexible file handling.

GX850 supports RAW, manual modes, exposure compensation, bracketing, and wireless connectivity, albeit limited (no Bluetooth, no GPS).

TG-2’s lack of RAW support and manual exposure seriously limit professional use. It also lacks wireless features and extensive tethering options.

Winner: GX850 hands down.

Diving Deeper into the Tech - Build, Stabilization, and Connectivity

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

TG-2 is crushproof and bears some environmental sealing - dustproof and waterproof? Not officially.

GX850 is a sleek, non-weather-sealed mirrorless body demanding more care.

Image Stabilization

TG-2 offers sensor-shift stabilization, which aids shaky hands, especially at telephoto and video.

GX850 has no in-body stabilization; it relies on lens stabilization.

Battery Life & Storage

TG-2 clocks around 350 shots per charge with a Li-90B battery; GX850 offers only ~210 shots. The difference may influence shooting duration in the field.

Both store on a single SD card slot, with GX850 supporting microSD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Connectivity

TG-2 has none; GX850 features built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and image transfer - a significant convenience for social media or quick editing workflows.

Price to Performance - Does Cost Reflect Value?

Currently, the TG-2 iHS hovers around $380, while the GX850 ranges near $550.

The extra $170 on the GX850 nets you:

• Larger sensor and better IQ
• RAW shooting and manual controls
• 4K video and faster burst
• Touchscreen and Wi-Fi

TG-2’s value lies in durability and simplicity, for those who prioritize ruggedness or casual shooting over image finesse.

Which Camera is Best For You?

To distill the mountain of info:

• Pick the Olympus TG-2 if you:

  • Need a hardy, crushproof compact for fieldwork, travel, or sport where ruggedness is crucial.
  • Want simple point-and-shoot with macro capabilities.
  • Shoot mostly outdoors in rough terrain or water-adjacent locations.
  • Are budget-conscious and prioritize build over image quality.

• Pick the Panasonic GX850 if you:

  • Desire high-quality images and videos thanks to a larger sensor.
  • Value creative manual control, fast autofocus, and 4K video.
  • Enjoy street, portrait, landscape, or low-light photography.
  • Are willing to invest in lenses to unlock the system’s potential.
  • Want mobile-smart features like Wi-Fi and touchscreens.

Final Thoughts From the Field

I’ve spent untold hours testing cameras like these in real conditions - from tropical hikes to crowded urban sprees. The TG-2 feels like a dependable teammate for rugged environments, forgiving the photo enthusiast who just wants to capture moments hassle-free. Meanwhile, the GX850 fits the creative adventurer or enthusiast craving quality and control without the bulk of a DSLR.

Neither is “perfect” - the TG-2’s limitations in image quality, manual exposure, and AF frustrate those wanting more, while the GX850’s fragility and shorter battery life caution against careless use. But understanding your priorities turns either into a rewarding purchase.

So next time you wonder which camera suits your adventures best, ask: Do I want to bring home an image, or just bring home the camera? The answers from Olympus and Panasonic paint two very different paths - one tough and ready, the other refined and flexible.

Happy shooting, whichever side you find yourself on.