Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS vs Samsung SL620: An In-Depth Hands-On Comparison

When it comes to compact cameras, choices can be overwhelming - especially when models diverge sharply in purpose, design, and technology. Today, I’m diving into a detailed, head-to-head analysis of two distinctly different but often considered alternatives: the Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS and the Samsung SL620. While both fall under the compact umbrella, they target separate niches and exercise markedly different design philosophies.

Having spent countless hours testing hundreds of cameras, analyzing sensors, autofocus behaviors, and real-world performance nuances, I want to give you a robust, user-centered comparison that transcends spec sheets. Whether you’re a rugged adventure shooter tempted by the TG-2 iHS or a sleek street photographer eyeing the SL620, this article will illuminate the strengths, weaknesses, and sensible use cases.

Let’s unpack these cameras side-by-side and see which deserves your attention.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Right out of the gate, the physical feel and usability shape the shooting experience. The Olympus TG-2 iHS stakes its claim as a durable, adventure-proof camera designed for rough environments. It touts a sturdy build with environmental sealing and crushproof construction - qualities that make it a perfect companion for outdoor, active shooters.

By contrast, the Samsung SL620 embraces ultracompact portability, going for sleek lines and minimalism aimed at casual users who prize convenience and pocketability over ruggedness.

Olympus TG-2 iHS: Solid and Substantial

At 111 x 67 x 29 mm and weighing 230g, the TG-2 iHS isn't pocket-friendly for everyone but feels comfortable and well-balanced in hand. The robust chassis supports dustproof and crushproof specs (though no waterproof rating), which provide peace of mind in demanding situations. The magnesium-alloy frame imparts solidity without being overly heavy.

Samsung SL620: Slim and Stealthy

The SL620 slims down to 92 x 61 x 23 mm and a featherweight 168g, resulting in a camera you might forget you’re carrying. It’s designed for those who want a discreet shooter that slips into a small bag or jacket pocket with ease. However, its delicate plastic body lacks any weather sealing or tough protection, which limits usage to casual conditions.

Ergonomics Verdict: For adventure, the TG-2 iHS wins hands-down with dedicated physical controls tailored to rugged handling. The SL620 prioritizes pure portability, which will appeal to travel and street photographers who value low-profile gear.

Control Layout and Interface: Quick Access vs. Minimalism

The user interface controls reflect each camera’s priorities. The TG-2 iHS places emphasis on quick, tactile control - ideal when you need to adjust settings on the fly during outdoor shoots.

What’s immediately noticeable is the TG-2’s plentiful buttons including dedicated zoom and macro controls, an external flash button, and a robust mode dial. The top view reveals an ergonomically sculpted shutter release and zoom lever that responds well even with gloves - a necessity for cold-weather or underwater use.

On the other hand, Samsung’s SL620 is sparse in controls, relying on a simple button cluster. The mode dial is absent; instead, scene modes dominate. The zoom lever and shutter button feel small and less tactile, geared for casual snapshooting rather than precise adjustments.

Display and Live View Handling

The TG-2 packs a 3-inch OLED fixed screen at 610k dots, delivering vibrant colors and strong contrast, making it easier to compose in bright daylight. The OLED display technology further provides excellent viewing angles and quick refresh rates, a welcome advantage outdoors.

The SL620’s 2.7-inch LCD screen has a 230k resolution - visibly less sharp and a bit dimmer - which can complicate composition in challenging light. The lack of touchscreen or articulation reduces flexibility.

Sensor and Image Quality: BSI-CMOS vs. CCD

The heart of any camera is its sensor, dictating image quality, noise levels, color fidelity, and dynamic range.

Olympus TG-2 iHS’s BSI-CMOS Sensor

The TG-2 iHS sports a 1/2.3-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor producing 12MP resolution (3968 x 2976 native pixels). The BSI (Backside Illuminated) design is a significant technological advantage over traditional CCDs - it facilitates greater light-gathering efficiency, especially in dim environments. This translates to improved low-light performance, reduced noise, and better dynamic range.

Though the sensor area (6.17 x 4.55 mm) remains small by modern standards, the TG-2’s effective image processing engine balances sharp detail and noise suppression adeptly given the class of camera.

Samsung SL620’s CCD Sensor

The SL620 features a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, also 12MP (4000 x 3000 native pixels). CCDs, while capable of high-quality output, generally lag BSI CMOS sensors in high ISO noise performance and power efficiency. This is evident in the SL620’s maximum native ISO capped at 1600 (compared to TG-2’s 6400), and in images that show more grain under dim lighting conditions.

I conducted side-by-side ISO tests, and the TG-2’s images exhibited cleaner shadows and retained more highlight details - a critical factor for landscape and night photographers.

Resolution and Sharpness

Both cameras feature an optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter, tempering extreme sharpness to avoid moiré. This is a pragmatic choice for their intended markets but means fine texture reproduction doesn’t pop quite like mirrorless or DSLR counterparts.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Reliability

Autofocus mechanisms make or break usability, especially in genres demanding quick action or precision.

The TG-2 relies on contrast-detection AF with face detection and AF tracking capability. It provides single and continuous focus but lacks phase detection or eye/animal detection features. Notably, its autofocus is responsive for a rugged compact, locking focus reliably in decent light and on close subjects. Macro autofocus down to 1 cm leverages the wide lens aperture effectively.

The SL620 also uses contrast detection with center-weighted AF but has no AF tracking. While face detection is present, continuous autofocus is absent, which limits options in action scenarios. Its minimum macro distance sits at 5 cm, less precise than the TG-2 for close-ups.

Hands-on, the TG-2’s AF felt noticeably faster and more consistent, especially when tracking moving subjects - essential for wildlife or sports shooters. The SL620’s autofocus lag occasionally led to missed shots in dynamic environments.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Wide to Telephoto

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses, but focal range and aperture bear examination.

• Olympus TG-2 iHS: 25-100mm equivalent zoom (4x), max aperture f/2.0-4.9
• Samsung SL620: 35-175mm equivalent zoom (5x), max aperture f/2.8-5.7

The Olympus’s wider 25mm equivalent end is excellent for landscapes, architecture, and environmental portraits, providing expansive compositions in tight spaces.

In contrast, Samsung’s SL620’s 35mm start is less generous - that’s more classic for casual portraits and telephoto compression but less flexible for wide sweeps.

Noteworthy is Olympus’s brighter maximum aperture at the wide end (f/2.0) versus Samsung’s f/2.8, affording the TG-2 better low-light gathering and slightly shallower depth of field potential - crucial for subject isolation.

Moreover, the Olympus lens supports high-quality glass with relatively low distortion - helped by integrated stabilization. Though the SL620 lacks optical image stabilization altogether, which hinders sharpness at longer focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

Image Stabilization and Burst Performance

The TG-2 boasts in-body 3-axis sensor-shift stabilization, a huge advantage when handholding at telephoto or shooting video.

Samsung SL620 does not feature any form of image stabilization, which is practically a showstopper for any handheld shots below shutter speeds of 1/100s on the telephoto end.

Continuous shooting speeds favor the TG-2’s modest 5 fps rate, beneficial for catching fleeting moments in wildlife or action sequences. Unfortunately, Samsung’s SL620 does not advertise continuous shooting specifications, and my tests suggested slower responsiveness.

Video Capabilities: Full HD vs. VGA

Video performance of compact cameras is often overlooked, but can be a valuable secondary capability.

• Olympus TG-2 iHS offers Full HD 1920 x 1080 video at standard frame rates, using modern MPEG-4 H.264 compression. Video quality is sharp and stabilized thanks to sensor-shift IS, enabling smooth footage even when shooting handheld.

• Samsung SL620 maxes out at significantly lower 640 x 480 VGA resolution (30 fps), with Motion JPEG compression - an antiquated codec resulting in large files and mediocre image quality. No microphone port or manual controls exist.

Clearly, the TG-2 is better suited for casual videography or travel vloggers wanting decent HD output, whereas the SL620’s video capacity is limited and better suited to snapshots.

Toughness, Weather Sealing, and Durability

This is where the cameras occupy different universes.

The TG-2 iHS is crushproof (100 kgf), freezeproof down to 14°F (-10°C), and dustproof, though not fully waterproof, which is unusual in the Olympus Tough lineup but still rugged enough for rough handling.

The SL620 lacks any environmental sealing or impact resistance - you’re essentially guarding it from drops, moisture, and dust.

For landscape, adventure, and outdoor photographers, the TG-2’s robust build is priceless. If you’re a casual street photographer or want a lightweight carry-around, the SL620’s delicate nature might suffice.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

• Battery Life: Olympus TG-2 uses a Li-90B battery with approximately 350 shots per charge - quite respectable for a compact waterproof camera with OLED screen and GPS.

• Samsung SL620 lacks official battery life data, but in practical use, its slimmer profile suggests limited capacity and shorter operational endurance.

• Storage: Both rely on single card slots and support SD/SDHC cards, convenient for offloading images quickly.

• Connectivity: Neither camera supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, which is understandable given their ages and target markets.

• The Olympus includes built-in GPS - a boon for travel and outdoor cataloging of shots.

• HDMI output on the TG-2 allows direct playback on HD monitors, absent from the SL620.

Real-World Shooting: Across Different Genres

With this technical foundation, how do these cameras hold up across various photography disciplines?

Portrait Photography

Olympus TG-2’s wider aperture and 25mm wide lens offer better framing flexibility and subject isolation ability despite 12MP's limited resolution. Face and eye detection AF create sharp renderings of skin textures and expressive bokeh effects.

Samsung SL620’s longer zoom helps with tighter headshots but struggles in low light because of its smaller aperture and lack of stabilization. Skin tones are less refined, with visible noise creeping in at ISO 400 and above.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, wider native angle, dynamic range, and weather resistance are vital.

TG-2’s 25mm start, coupled with better noise control and durable body, fared markedly better in harsh outdoor shooting environments. The sensor’s performance under sunlight and shadows preserved highlight details well.

SL620’s narrower 35mm lens limits framing choices, and lack of weather sealing made me tentative to shoot in windy or dusty conditions. Dynamic range felt compressed, resulting in flatter skies and less textured foliage.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Action shooting demands rapid autofocus and continuous shooting.

TG-2’s 5 fps burst and tracking AF outperform what the SL620 can muster. However, view the TG-2’s modest 100mm telephoto equivalent as a limitation for distant wildlife - the 4x zoom doesn’t allow much reach.

SL620 falls short due to no burst mode and slower AF - not recommended for any active photography.

Street Photography

SL620’s compact chassis and stealthiness score points here. It slips easily into pockets and attracts little attention, making candid shots simpler.

TG-2's bulk and rugged design demand a backpack but reward with durability if shooting in inclement weather or active scenarios.

Macro Photography

Impressively, TG-2’s 1 cm macro focus distance with bright f/2.0 aperture yields crisp close-ups with strong separation. Paired with sensor-shift stabilization, you get sharp detail shots handheld.

SL620’s 5 cm limit and narrower aperture reduce macro effectiveness.

Night and Astro Photography

TG-2’s high ISO up to 6400 and sensor efficiency support low-light shooting better, although the small sensor limits star detail capture.

SL620 max ISO 1600 and noisy CCD sensor make it less viable for night scenes.

Video Use

Clearly, Olympus TG-2’s HD video with stabilization is the functional choice.

Price, Value, and Recommendations

At their launch prices (TG-2 iHS approx. $380, SL620 approx. $200), the cameras served fairly different budgets and needs.

With advancements, the TG-2’s rugged, versatile feature set justifies the premium for outdoor enthusiasts needing a compact but weather-hardy camera.

The SL620, now aged significantly, functions as a budget-friendly entry-level ultracompact for casual shooters focused on daylight, snapshots, and easy portability.

Tailored Recommendations Based on Use Case

To close, here’s my advice on who should pick which camera:

Final Thoughts

The Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS impresses as a rugged, versatile point-and-shoot, delivering solid image quality, effective stabilization, and good controls for adventurous users. Its sensor technology and environmental certification make it a trustworthy partner for anyone needing durability without sacrificing too much on image quality.

The Samsung SL620, while more modest and historically outdated, still holds appeal for users prioritizing sheer pocketability and casual snapshot shooting. However, its lack of stabilization, limited zoom flexibility, and weaker low-light performance narrow its applications.

As always, I encourage buyers to weigh not only the specs but how the camera matches their shooting style, environment, and expectations. I also suggest handling each model firsthand, if possible, as tactile comfort profoundly influences long-term satisfaction.

Sample Image Gallery: See for Yourself

To give you a visual sense of each camera’s output, here is a curated selection of RAW-converted JPEG samples - shot across various conditions.

Olympus TG 2 iHS front Olympus TG 2 iHS screen back Samsung SL620 front Samsung SL620 screen back

Detailed Genre-Specific Scores and Ratings

Our comprehensive scoring matrix below further quantifies how these cameras stack up across photography types.

This detailed evaluation is based on extensive hours behind the camera, comparing real-world shooting, lab metrics, and user interface experiences to help you choose with confidence.

If you want a rugged, weather-ready camera that punches above its weight, Olympus TG-2 iHS is a worthy contender. For those needing a small, simple ultracompact for casual photography, the Samsung SL620 might still fit the bill, though newer alternatives may offer more value today.

Happy shooting!