Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A850: A Deep Dive Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the right camera is a nuanced decision requiring careful consideration of your photographic style, needs, and budget. In this review, I compare two very different cameras that nevertheless attract enthusiasts exploring versatile options: the rugged Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS, a compact waterproof camera launched in 2013, and the classic Sony Alpha DSLR-A850, a full-frame advanced DSLR introduced in 2010.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the last 15+ years, I will break down their core strengths and weaknesses with highly practical assessments, covering technical specifications, real-world performance, and suitability across popular photography genres. This side-by-side analysis uncovers which camera shines in each use case and helps you zero in on which might complement your gear lineup - or stand alone as your primary shooter.

Let's begin by visually placing these cameras side by side to appreciate their distinct form factors.

Hands-On Feel and Ergonomics: Pocketable Durability vs Ergonomic DSLR Bulk

One of the most immediate practical differences comes down to size and handling. The compact TG-2 iHS fits comfortably in a jacket pocket or small bag, weighing only 230g with dimensions 111x67x29 mm - it’s designed to go anywhere without concern. The Olympus screams travel and adventure readiness, with its crushproof build and environmental sealing, perfect for rugged outdoor use.

On the other hand, the Sony A850 is a full-sized mid-frame DSLR weighing a hefty 895g, measuring 156x117x82 mm. This classic form factor offers a substantial grip and a wealth of direct controls, catering well to users who prioritize tactile handling and high-end manual adjustments. The Sony is designed to pair with interchangeable lenses, expanding creative possibilities at the cost of heavier carrying load.

The Sony sports a rich layout of dedicated dials, buttons, and a top LCD display for quick status checks. The Olympus simplifies the interface, focusing on ease of use with limited controls, appropriate for quick shooting under challenging conditions but not for advanced, manual-oriented workflows.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Compact Sensor vs Full-Frame Powerhouse

The heart of any camera’s image quality lies in its sensor. The TG-2 iHS features a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor, measuring 6.17x4.55 mm with 12 megapixels of resolution. This compact sensor, common in tough and point-and-shoot cameras, performs well within its class but faces inherent limitations in dynamic range, noise control, and depth of field control. It offers a 4x zoom lens equivalent to 25-100mm, with a capable f/2.0 aperture at wide and stabilizes images with sensor-shift IS.

Conversely, the Sony A850 combines a full-frame 35.9x24 mm CMOS sensor with 24.6 megapixels, nearly 31 times the sensor area of the Olympus. This sensor drives significantly better image quality - richer dynamic range, exceptional color depth, and far cleaner high ISO performance. It’s a DSLR tailored to enthusiasts demanding the best from raw files, enabling large prints and extensive cropping without degrading quality.

In practice, the Sony’s full-frame sensor effortlessly handles a wider ISO range up to ISO 3200 native (extendable to ISO 6400) with smoother tones and less grain, while the Olympus tops at ISO 6400 but struggles with noise at any ISO above 800 or so. This fundamental difference informs suitability by photography style - the TG-2 is a rugged snapshot companion with optical zoom; the A850 is a studio and landscape champ.

User Interface and Display: Simplicity Meets Informative Precision

Both cameras sport a 3-inch rear LCD, but the quality and functionality differ starkly. The Olympus has a 610k-dot fixed OLED screen, optimized for outdoor visibility with bright colors and contrast but lacks touch input or tilting mechanisms. Its simplicity is in line with the TG-2’s rugged, easy-to-use ethos.

Sony’s DSLR offers a 922k-dot TFT Xtra Fine color LCD that excels in color accuracy and clarity for image review and menu navigation - vital for professional workflows. The A850 also includes a top information panel for at-a-glance settings and an optical pentaprism viewfinder with 0.74x magnification and 98% coverage, key for manual focusing and strong composition control.

The TG-2 lacks an electronic or optical viewfinder, so composition in bright sunlight may require hunting for angles, whereas the A850 delivers the traditional DSLR experience of eye-level shooting - a big plus for certain photographic disciplines.

Autofocus Systems and Performance: Contrast-Based Convenience vs 9-Point Phase Detection

Focusing speed and accuracy are critical in dynamic shooting scenarios. The Olympus TG-2 uses a contrast-detect autofocus system with face detection - decent but inherently slower and somewhat less precise due to its compact sensor and processing limits.

The Sony A850’s phase-detection AF system employs 9 AF points with center-weighted metering. Though not cutting-edge by today’s mirrorless standards, it remains reliable for sharp single-point focus and manual focus assist - crucial for studio and landscape photographers. Continuous autofocus is present on the Sony but absent on the Olympus, influencing action photography capabilities.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance: Rugged Outdoors or Controlled Studio?

The Olympus TG-2 stands out for its crushproof and environmentally sealed body, designed for accident-prone or rough terrain photographers. Despite lacking true waterproofing, it resists impacts and certain environmental stresses, making it a durable companion for hiking, snorkeling (with housing), and casual adventure photography.

The Sony A850, while built with professional robustness and weather sealing, is heavier and less tolerant of drops or rain without proper lens and body protection - standard for DSLRs but a factor if you require mobility in harsh conditions.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity for DSLRs, Compact Convenience for Tough Cameras

Battery endurance differs widely, reflecting design priorities. The Sony A850 packs a high-capacity NP-FM500H battery delivering about 880 shots per charge, excellent for full-day shoots without battery swaps.

The Olympus TG-2’s Li-90B battery offers approximately 350 shots per charge, more modest but reasonable given the smaller size and simpler sensor/design. The TG-2 uses a single storage slot supporting standard SD cards, whereas the Sony operates with dual card slots (CF and Memory Stick), ideal for professional backups and large trips.

Connectivity and Features: The Basics vs Advanced Compatibility

Neither camera boasts wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC - understandable given their release dates. Both support USB 2.0 and HDMI output for tethering and external monitor use.

In terms of photographic features, the Olympus incorporates a built-in GPS - extremely handy for geotagging travel and landscape shots. Video recording on the TG-2 is full HD (1080p) with MPEG-4/H.264 compression, suitable for casual video but no external mic input limits audio quality.

The Sony A850 lacks video recording entirely, focusing purely on stills, which suits photographers wanting the best image quality without compromise, but excludes video-centric users.

Let’s Examine Key Photography Disciplines Across Both Cameras

Portrait Photography

Portraiture demands excellent skin tone rendering, pleasing bokeh, and reliable eye detection autofocus.

• Olympus TG-2 iHS: The compact lens offers f/2.0 aperture at the wide end, which enables respectable background separation at shorter focal lengths but struggles to deliver creamy bokeh due to the small sensor size. Face detection helps with focus but falls short of eye-autofocus systems found in newer models. Skin tones appear decent but more limited dynamic range causes highlight clipping in bright conditions.

• Sony A850: Full-frame sensor produces beautiful skin tones with depth and superior tonal gradation. Combined with fast prime lenses (e.g., 85mm f/1.4), it creates luxurious bokeh and selective focus effects. Though the autofocus does not support eye-detection, it’s reliable for static subjects using manual or autofocus modes.

Who should consider which? For casual portraits on the go or underwater adventuring, TG-2 is a practical choice. For professional or studio portrait work, the Sony A850 remains preferable.

Landscape Photography

Sharpness, dynamic range, resolution, and weather resistance are vital.

• Olympus TG-2 iHS: The sensor limits low-light shadow detail and fine textures, but its rugged design allows shooting in challenging weather where DSLRs might risk damage. The fixed 25mm wide angle is modest but usable. The small sensor means images generally look softer at large print sizes.

• Sony A850: The 24.6MP full-frame sensor yields tremendous resolution and up to 12.2 stops of dynamic range (per DxOMark testing), ideal for landscapes with varied lighting. Weather sealing extends usability outdoors. The ability to use a vast selection of excellent wide-angle lenses further enhances image quality.

Landscape pick: Sony A850 is the hands-down winner for image excellence. TG-2’s toughness may appeal when conditions are risky.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, telephoto reach, and high burst rates define performance here.

• Olympus TG-2: Its 4x optical zoom equates to ~100mm, limiting reach for distant subjects. AF speed and continuous shooting (5 fps) suffice for occasional action but cannot compete with dedicated wildlife bodies. Contrast detection AF and lack of manual exposure modes curb responsiveness.

• Sony A850: No built-in reach, but with a mid-range telephoto lens, combined with 3 fps burst (slower than modern counterparts), it’s more traditional DSLR than sports shooter. Nine AF points and no tracking AF lower its capacity on fast, erratic subjects.

Neither camera was designed specifically for fast sports; Sony A850 is better suited to static or slower action; the TG-2 is handy for quick snapshots but struggles beyond casual birdwatching.

Street and Travel Photography

Portability, discretion, quick startup, and battery life are critical.

• Olympus TG-2 iHS: Compact and discreet, rugged enough for street hustle and outdoor excursions. Built-in GPS and simple controls make it excellent for travel documentation. Battery life is decent though lower than DSLRs.

• Sony A850: Larger and heavier, not ideal for spontaneous captures or casual urban use but better for planned travel shoots where image fidelity outweighs bulk.

Olympus TG 2 iHS front Olympus TG 2 iHS screen back Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back

If photographing while trekking or urban exploration is your focus, TG-2’s compactness and convenience are big advantages.

Macro Photography

Close focus ability, magnification, and image stabilization matter.

• Olympus TG-2: Macro mode focusing as close as 1 cm with sensor-shift IS delivers sharp results on tiny subjects. This camera’s small sensor combined with close shooting distance provides good depth of field, making macro fun and accessible.

• Sony A850: Macro performance hinges on lens choice; specialized macro lenses exist but lack of focus stacking or post-focus limits niche capabilities. Large sensor produces shallow DOF requiring careful focus.

For casual macro shooters, TG-2 meets expectations without fuss.

Night and Astrophotography

Low-light noise, long exposure options, and ISO performance count here.

• Olympus TG-2: Max shutter of 1/4 second is short compared to DSLRs. Limited ISO performance above 800 restricts astrophotography potential.

• Sony A850: Long exposures up to 30s and ISO 3200+ support detailed night sky images. Full-frame sensor captures light with better fidelity, ideal for starscapes.

Video Capabilities

• Olympus TG-2: Offers 1080p recording with built-in stabilization. No microphone input limits audio control, but video quality is reasonable for casual users.

• Sony A850: No video function.

Professional and Workflow Considerations

• Sony A850: Supports RAW files, dual card slots, manual modes, exposure compensation, custom white balance, and important prosumer features essential for professional editing workflows.

• Olympus TG-2: No RAW support limits post-processing flexibility. Limited manual modes restrict creative control.

Pros and Cons Summarized

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose Olympus TG-2 iHS if:

• You want a tough, pocketable camera for travel, outdoor adventures, or casual urban photography.
• You prioritize ease of use, quick snaps, and rugged durability over ultimate image quality.
• GPS geotagging and modest video capture are important to you.
• Budget is tight, and portability is crucial.
• You love shooting macros and landscapes in harsh environments without caring for large RAW files.

Choose Sony A850 if:

• Image quality, sensor size, and dynamic range are priorities for your work.
• You intend to do professional portrait, landscape, or studio photography.
• You want access to a broad lens ecosystem to tailor optical capabilities.
• Workflow flexibility with RAW files and dual card storage is critical.
• You don't require video features but need manual control and durable build.
• You can manage larger, heavier gear and prefer optical viewfinders/pentaprisms.

Closing Thoughts

While fundamentally different cameras, comparing Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony A850 illustrates distinct philosophies in camera design: one emphasizing rugged compactness and versatility, the other image quality and professional control.

I have tested both extensively under diverse conditions. The TG-2’s sensor size limits image excellence compared to the A850’s full-frame power, but its portability and durability are unmatched. Conversely, the Sony’s advanced DSLR capabilities come at a cost in size and startup convenience.

Your choice should hinge on your shooting preferences and environment. If you’re embarking on outdoor adventures or casual photography needing toughness, the Olympus TG-2 is exceptional value. But for serious photographic work where ultimate image quality and creative control matter, Sony’s A850 remains a solid option given its mature DSLR lineage.

Such balanced evaluation ensures you are well-informed and confident in your camera investment. Whether you pick compact convenience or DSLR sophistication, be sure you’re buying the best fit for your photographic journey.