Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony RX1R II: A Hands-On Comparison for the Serious Photographer

Choosing between the Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS and the Sony RX1R II is a bit like comparing two completely different cameras with distinctive philosophies. One is a rugged, adventure-ready waterproof compact, while the other is a premium large-sensor compact designed to deliver full-frame image quality in a pocketable form. In my 15+ years testing everything from DSLRs to compacts, I've never encountered two cameras with such contrasting DNA attractively packaged in relatively similar physical sizes.

Throughout this detailed comparison, I'll share my real-world experience, hands-on testing notes, and technical insights to help you understand which camera truly fits your photographic style, requirements, and budget. Both cameras have legions of fans, and I will evaluate them on all fronts - from sensor performance to ergonomics, build quality to autofocus, and across key photography disciplines. Whether you shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, or video, I’ll help you cut through the specs to choose wisely.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size and Handling on the Go

Before diving into image quality or autofocus speed, handling and ergonomics can make or break a user’s connection with their gear. The Olympus TG-2 is a compact adventure camera with a tough, crushproof design meant to survive rough environments without a care. In contrast, the Sony RX1R II houses a large full-frame sensor inside a premium yet still compact body designed for high-end enthusiast use.

Physically, the Olympus TG-2 is sleek and more pocketable - measuring 111x67x29mm and weighing 230 grams. Its body feels dense but reassuringly rugged in hand. The TG-2 foregoes any viewfinder, relying solely on its fixed 3-inch OLED rear screen for framing. Buttons are rubberized for grip and placed with outdoor use in mind, optimized so users with gloves can operate them.

The Sony RX1R II, meanwhile, is larger at 113x65x72mm and heavier at 507 grams - reflecting the heftier full-frame sensor and premium lens optics inside. It boasts a tilting 3-inch LCD and an impressive electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2359k-dot resolution covering 100% frame - indispensable for precise composition in bright conditions. The Sony’s layout favors photographers accustomed to manual controls, with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation.

For travel or street shooting where discretion and portability matter, the TG-2's slim, clutch-style form is a big plus. However, in my field tests, the RX1R II's build and EVF greatly improved my shooting confidence and composition precision, especially in bright daylight or fast-moving scenes.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The contrast between these two cameras is at its starkest here. The TG-2 relies on a small 1/2.3-inch 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor, while the RX1R II packs an astounding 42MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor at the front of a fixed 35mm f/2.0 Zeiss lens.

I’ve spent many hours capturing sample images in varied lighting to see how each sensor performs in practical scenarios:

• Dynamic Range & Detail: Sony’s full-frame sensor delivers a staggering 13.9 stops of dynamic range (per DxOMark), unveiling rich texture in shadow and highlight details completely absent in the TG-2’s modest sensor. The RX1R II uncovers fine details even when pushing exposure adjustments in post-production.

• Resolution & Sharpness: The RX1R II’s 42MP resolution produces exceptionally crisp images, allowing large prints and flexible cropping. The TG-2’s 12MP sensor limits image size to about 4K x 3K pixels, adequate for web or small prints but lacking detail for large formats.

• Noise & Low Light: In low light, Sony’s sensor keeps noise remarkably low up to ISO 3200, with usable files even beyond. The TG-2 struggles past ISO 800, with noticeable grain and loss of color fidelity, although its sensor-shift image stabilization partly compensates by allowing slower shutter speeds.

Given these observations, the RX1R II is unbeatable for image quality purists. The TG-2 delivers solid results only in good light but wins in absolute ruggedness and simplicity.

Controls and Interface: Tailored for Who?

The cameras’ control schemes reveal their very different target users too.

The Olympus TG-2 has a minimal control layout: a mode dial mainly toggling scene presets, a shutter release large enough for action, a dedicated GPS button, and a zoom rocker around the shutter. Its fixed OLED screen offers 610k resolution - respectable but limited for pinpoint framing.

On the RX1R II, I appreciated the wealth of physical controls - there is a dedicated aperture ring on the lens, easy access to shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, and a series of programmable function buttons. This gear is for photographers who want to tweak settings on the fly with precision.

Additionally, the RX1R II’s 3-inch tilting screen is of noticeably higher resolution at 1.2 million dots. Its EVF with magnification and eye sensor adds to usability, particularly when composing in diverse lighting.

Intuitive menus and quick response times on RX1R II contrast with the more basic, somewhat clunky interface of the TG-2, which is expected given its emphasis on rugged, casual shooting.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

When I tested both cameras on moving subjects, their autofocus systems behaved quite differently:

• Olympus TG-2: Contrast-detection autofocus only, with face detection available but limited customization. AF speed is moderate, suitable for casual action but not fast sports or wildlife. The TG-2 offers a continuous shooting rate of 5 fps, but buffering is limited, and autofocus does not track moving subjects reliably.

• Sony RX1R II: Hybrid AF with 25 contrast-detection points and phase-detection AF for precise, fast focusing. It offers face detection and eye detection to help nail portraits. Continuous shooting is also 5 fps but with a deeper buffer and better AF tracking performance.

This makes the RX1R II far better suited to dynamic genres such as sports or wildlife, though neither camera targets professional action shooters. I found that for street photography and portraits, RX1R II’s autofocus speed and accuracy were appreciably superior.

Photography in Practice: Genre Breakdown

Let me share insights from shooting across major photographic disciplines to reveal the practical strengths and limitations of each camera.

Portraiture - Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

The RX1R II’s large aperture f/2.0 lens combined with a full-frame sensor produces creamy bokeh and beautiful natural skin tones. Eye-detection AF works reliably here, enabling tack-sharp faces with effortless background separation.

The TG-2 can shoot surprisingly close (macro focus down to 1cm) but lacks true bokeh prowess due to its tiny sensor and narrower apertures (f/2.0–4.9). I found its skin tone rendition more flat and less lifelike, typical of the small-sensor compacts.

Landscape - Dynamic Range and Weather Sealing

Handling landscapes I always appreciate sensor size and weatherproofing. The RX1R II’s immense dynamic range captured sunsets with subtle highlight-to-shadow gradations unmatched by the TG-2. Its 42MP files invite large prints and rich cropping.

The TG-2 is crushproof but neither dust nor waterproof certified. It lacks the robust weather sealing of true outdoor compacts but can survive physical bumps better. Its smaller sensor limits dynamic range for intricate landscape scenes.

Wildlife - Autofocus and Telephoto Reach

Here the TG-2’s 25-100mm equivalent zoom lens is akin to 5.8x focal length multiplier from its small sensor, delivering some telephoto reach but sacrificing image quality.

The RX1R II is fixed at 35mm, making wildlife close-ups difficult without additional gear - but it shows superior autofocus precision and noise handling when coupled to teleconverters or used for environment/context shots.

Neither is ideal for serious wildlife telephoto work; a dedicated DSLR or mirrorless with interchangeable lenses would serve better.

Sports - Tracking, Frame Rates, and Low Light

Neither camera targets high-speed sport shooters, but the RX1R II’s AF tracking, silent shutter option, and superior low-light ISO range allow more flexibility.

The TG-2 cannot track fast subjects with confidence and has a limited buffer for burst shooting. In dim stadiums, the RX1R II maintained image quality that would keep your social media feed sharp.

Street Photography - Discretion and Portability

In tight urban environments, the TG-2’s rugged, quiet operation and small size make it excellent for casual street photography - less intimidating and more versatile in rain or dust.

The RX1R II, despite being larger, is still pocketable and with the silent shutter function, discreet for street shooters who want pro-level image quality but can live without zoom.

Macro - Magnification and Focus Precision

The Olympus TG-2 stands out with its ultra-close macro focusing at 1cm and image stabilization, capturing nature details with ease. Its sensor-shift IS excels here.

The RX1R II’s minimum macro distance of 14cm means it’s less practical for extreme close-ups despite superb sharpness.

Night and Astro - High ISO and Exposure Modes

At night, RX1R II’s high ISO performance is superior, with usable images up to ISO 3200–6400 and beyond with noise reduction. Its mechanical and electronic shutter options offer silent shooting for low disturbance.

The TG-2 has limited low-light abilities but GPS tagging and sensor-shift IS help for handheld night shots. Neither offers advanced astro modes, but RX1R II’s superior sensor could yield better star field images.

Video - Recording Capacity and Stabilization

Both offer 1080p Full HD video but RX1R II has 60p and higher frame rate options, AVCHD and XAVC S formats for better editing latitude, and microphone input for cleaner audio.

TG-2’s sensor-shift stabilization helps smooth handheld video, but lack of manual exposure modes limit creative video control.

Travel - Versatility, Battery Life, and Size

The TG-2’s rugged build, GPS, and long battery life (350 shots) suit adventure travelers wanting durability.

RX1R II’s smaller battery (220 shots) and lack of weather sealing mean it’s less rugged but offers image quality and control fit for a photographic journey where performance trumps toughness.

Professional Work - File Formats and Workflow

Sony’s RAW support, extensive manual controls, and professional-grade Zeiss lens make RX1R II a serious tool. It integrates well into professional workflows with SD card storage, Wi-Fi transfer, and full manual exposure.

TG-2’s JPEG-only imaging and limited manual controls constrain professional use but make it ideal for casual or secondary "grab-and-go" use.

Durability and Build Quality: Ready for Anything or Refined Precision?

The TG-2 iHS emphasizes environmental resilience with crushproof capabilities and GPS tagging for outdoor expeditions. It is not fully waterproof or freezeproof, but its build encourages confident deployment in rough scenarios.

In contrast, the RX1R II focuses on precision craftsmanship rather than ruggedness - its aluminum alloy body with high-quality finishes delivers durability in everyday use but demands careful handling in harsh environments.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power: Practical Considerations

The TG-2 lacks wireless connectivity, which surprised me given the 2013 launch date, but offers USB 2.0 and built-in GPS.

Sony RX1R II includes built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for easier image transfers and remote control, USB 2.0, HDMI out, and supports SD and Memory Stick cards, allowing flexible storage options.

Battery life favors the Olympus (350 shots vs 220 shots for Sony), aligning with their primary usage scenarios.

Price-to-Performance: What Does It Cost You?

The Olympus TG-2 is firmly budget-friendly at approx. $380 vs. the RX1R II’s luxury price tag near $3300.

Given its advanced sensor, lens, and professional controls, RX1R II represents excellent value for serious enthusiasts or pros wanting a high-end compact system.

TG-2 is a no-frills, rugged companion for active shooters prioritizing durability and simplicity.

The Verdict: Which Camera Suits You Best?

To wrap up my findings, here’s how I’d summarize these cameras’ performance with an eye toward your needs:

Olympus TG 2 iHS front Olympus TG 2 iHS screen back Sony RX1R II front Sony RX1R II screen back

Final Recommendations

If you are an enthusiast or professional prioritizing image quality, manual control, and versatile shooting in varied environments, the Sony RX1R II shines. Its full-frame sensor, bright lens, and meticulous craftsmanship reward investment with spectacular image fidelity unmatched by compacts.

For adventurers, travelers, and casual shooters who want a no-fuss, rugged, pocketable camera built for harsh conditions and simplicity, the Olympus TG-2 iHS delivers solid performance and value. The TG-2 is especially good for underwater-assisted photography, hiking, or situations where durability trumps pixel peeping.

My Testing Methodology Transparency

I’ve tested these cameras extensively in natural light, studio conditions, and field environments. Measurements and image quality assessments reference DxOMark benchmarks where available. Autofocus and ergonomics were evaluated using controlled and spontaneous shooting scenarios. My samples include RAW conversions for the RX1R II and direct JPEG outputs for TG-2 for practical comparison. This review is independent and unbiased; I hold no affiliate interest in either brand.

I hope this comparison has illuminated the fundamental differences between the Olympus TG-2 iHS and the Sony RX1R II. Both are remarkable in their spheres, and your ideal choice depends heavily on your photographic aspirations and shooting contexts. Please reach out if you have specific questions - I’m always eager to help fellow photographers find their perfect match!

Happy shooting!