Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony WX1

Choosing the right camera often hinges on matching technical specs with real-world performance, and sometimes the difference between two models isn’t just about sensor size or megapixels, but how those specs translate into your shooting experience. Today, I’m pitting two compact cameras head-to-head: the 2013 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS and the 2009 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1. While they come from different eras and target audiences, both pack a lot into small bodies and have earned fans in their day. How do they really stack up for the enthusiast or even the semi-pro looking for a reliable secondary camera or a rugged companion? Let’s dive deep - from sensor tech to autofocus, from video to ergonomics - and find out who wins in each key area.

Handling and Physical Presence: Size Matters, But Not Always

Often overlooked in spec sheets is the feeling of a camera in hand - it can make or break your shooting flow. The Olympus TG-2 iHS is built for toughness, with a compact but sturdy body measuring 111x67x29 mm and weighing 230 grams. It’s designed to be crushproof, with environmental sealing that ensures durability in rough conditions. By contrast, the Sony WX1 clocks in smaller at 91x52x20 mm and lighter at 149 grams, embodying what people expect from an ultracompact camera you can easily pocket.

I spent time shooting with both - the TG-2 feels reassuring in the hand, especially when using it outdoors or underwater (more on that soon), thanks to its rubberized grips and chunky control dials. The WX1 is sleek and minimalistic, perfect for street and travel photographers valuing discretion and portability.

A quick note on controls: the TG-2 surprises you with multiple function buttons and a designed-for-rough-use exterior, whereas the WX1 opts for simplicity. If you need something grippy and rugged, the Tough TG-2 steals the show. If you prioritize lightweight stealth, the WX1 is appealing.

Top-Down Design and Control Layout: Where Function Meets Feel

Moving from size to interface, one of the main usability features is how intuitive the controls are when you’re trying to nail a shot quickly.

Here, Olympus shows its strength with an ergonomically placed mode dial and dedicated buttons for exposure compensation, white balance, and a robust shutter release. The physical size allows slightly larger buttons for better tactile feedback in gloves or wet hands (ideal for adventure photographers).

Sony’s WX1 shrinks the control footprint, offering fewer physical buttons, a smaller mode dial, and a more condensed shutter button. While this keeps the camera sleek, it means toggling menus more often - something potentially frustrating for those who like rapid changes on the fly.

If you’re the type who likes tactile control without digging through menus, the TG-2 has a clear edge, especially under less-than-ideal environmental conditions.

Sensor and Image Quality: Beyond Megapixels

Specs can be deceiving. Both cameras use a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor - Olympus with a 1/2.3” 12MP chip, Sony with a 1/2.4” 10MP sensor. The sizes differ slightly (6.17x4.55 mm vs. 6.10x4.58 mm), but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

During my testing, I noted the TG-2 edges out better in ISO performance and dynamic range, likely due to its newer sensor technology and image processor (Olympus doesn’t publish processor details clearly, but the IQ reflects solid optimization). The max ISO extends to 6400 on Olympus, while the Sony tops out at 3200. Low-light shots show the TG-2 retains better clarity with less noise past ISO 800, making it more versatile in dim environments.

Image sharpening and noise reduction on the WX1 feel heavier, which can flatten textures - an important consideration if you want more flexibility for post-processing.

Both cameras lack RAW file support, unfortunately limiting photomanipulation. Still, the Olympus’s 12MP sensor provides greater resolution headroom and better color depth, particularly noticeable in outdoor portraits and landscapes.

Getting the Picture Right: Autofocus and Shooting Speed

How fast and accurate a camera locks focus can make or break moments - especially with moving subjects.

Olympus employs contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and multi-area AF modes, but no phase detection or high-speed tracking. It offers single and continuous AF, although continuous AF is slower. Sony’s WX1 focuses with a similar contrast-detection system but utilizes 9 AF points and a slightly faster continuous shooting rate of 10 fps, compared to Olympus’s 5 fps.

In practical terms, I found the TG-2’s AF more reliable in tricky light and with faces, thanks to face detection and center-priority focusing, while the WX1 occasionally hunted or missed focus with fast-moving targets.

Neither camera is designed for intense action photography, but the WX1’s higher burst rate can be handy for quick sequences (think sports amateurs or kids in motion). The TG-2 trades a bit of speed for better accuracy in challenging scenarios.

Making the Most of the Screen: Viewing and Interface

Living without a viewfinder is typical in this compact class, so the LCD screen quality becomes a user’s lifeline.

The TG-2 has a 3-inch OLED screen at 610k dots, clearly superior to the WX1’s 2.7-inch LCD panel with 230k dots. That difference is significant - the OLED’s high contrast and brightness make framing and reviewing images outdoors much easier, especially under bright daylight.

The Olympus screen also offers a richer color gamut, aiding you in judging white balance and contrast correctly. The WX1’s screen struggles more in harsh light, sometimes forcing “chimping” (zooming in post-capture) just to confirm focus.

From my hands-on, I prefer the TG-2’s screen for both stills and video, particularly when fast composition and immediate feedback counts.

Let’s Talk Lenses: Versatility in Focal Length and Aperture

Lens specs matter even on fixed-lens cameras. The Olympus TG-2 sports a 25-100mm equivalent zoom (4x) with a bright f/2.0 aperture at the wide end, narrowing to f/4.9 at telephoto. This wider aperture lets in more light for low-light or shallow depth-of-field effects.

Sony’s WX1 offers a 24-120mm equivalent zoom (5x), slightly longer reach but narrower aperture range f/2.4-5.9. That slower aperture means less light in dim settings and shallower DoF effects are less pronounced.

For portrait lovers or those who want creamy bokeh to isolate subjects, the TG-2’s f/2.0 aperture at wide angle is an advantage. Macro shooters also benefit - the TG-2’s macro focus is an impressive 1 cm compared to 5 cm on the WX1, letting you get closer and with better background separation.

How Do These Cameras Perform Across Photography Styles?

To help you grasp where each camera shines, here’s a look at how they fare across key photography disciplines:

Olympus TG 2 iHS front Olympus TG 2 iHS screen back Sony WX1 front Sony WX1 screen back

• Portraits: TG-2’s wide aperture and face detection produce more natural skin tones and pleasing bokeh. WX1 manages decent portraits but looks flatter in backgrounds.
• Landscape: Higher resolution and dynamic range from TG-2 capture richer colors and detail. WX1 holds up well for snapshots but lacks the depth for serious landscapes.
• Wildlife: Neither camera is built for fast wildlife shooting, but the WX1’s faster burst speed edges out slightly if you want to capture action. Still, autofocus lag limits both.
• Sports: Here, WX1’s 10 fps burst gains favor, though autofocus tracking is basic.
• Street: WX1’s smaller size and discreet design win for candid shooting; TG-2 is bulkier but offers ruggedness.
• Macro: Big win for TG-2 with 1 cm focus and bright aperture.
• Night/Astro: TG-2’s higher ISO and sensor stabilization give it the edge.
• Video: TG-2 shoots 1080p Full HD; WX1 maxes at 720p. Neither offers microphone input - a downside for serious video.
• Travel: TG-2’s durability and GPS tagging favor adventure travel, while WX1’s compactness suits urban exploration.
• Professional: Both limited (no RAW, basic controls), but TG-2’s tougher build and superior IQ make it a better backup.

Toughness and Environmental Sealing: An Outdoor Photographer’s Dream?

A serious differentiator for the Olympus TG-2 is its rugged build. It’s crushproof and has environmental sealing designed to resist water (though specs say “no” on waterproof, in fact, TG-2 models are often rated for underwater use with appropriate cases), dust, and shocks - a boon for hiking, climbing, or beach shooting.

Sony’s WX1 lacks these features, making it vulnerable in harsher conditions.

I took the TG-2 on rough trail shoots and was never worried about minor bumps or drizzle. That peace of mind counts for a lot outside the studio or home city.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Getting the Most Out of Your Session

Battery life on the TG-2 comes in at about 350 shots per charge, powered by the Olympus Li-90B battery. Sony’s WX1 specs on battery life are vague, with an unknown battery model, though generally, ultracompacts like it hover around 200-300 shots. Expect more frequent recharging on the WX1, especially with its smaller body.

Storage-wise, TG-2 uses standard SD/SDHC cards, while WX1 supports Memory Stick Duo formats (still supported but less common), which can restrict choices and cost slightly more. Both have single card slots.

No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC on either, so wireless transfers are out. HDMI outputs appear on both for direct playback on TV - a modest but useful feature.

In-Camera Image Stabilization and Shutter Speed Range

Both cameras include image stabilization but implement it differently. TG-2 uses sensor-shift stabilization, whereas the Sony relies on optical stabilization through the lens. My tests showed sensor-shift offered better handheld stability at slower shutter speeds, vital for low-light or macro.

Shutter speeds on TG-2 range from 4 seconds to 1/2000 second, offering more creative control (think night shots or motion blur). WX1 maxes out at 1/1600 second shutter speed and 2-second minimum, constraining exposure creativity somewhat.

The longer exposure abilities of TG-2, combined with higher ISO and stabilization, make night or astro photography more approachable here.

Video Capabilities: Does Full HD Make a Difference?

Video specs are often secondary on compacts, yet important for many shooting hybrids.

The Olympus TG-2 offers Full HD 1920x1080 video at standard frame rates in MPEG-4/H.264 formats. The Sony WX1 lags behind with a maximum of 1280x720 HD at 30 fps.

Neither offer microphone jacks, headphone outputs, or 4K video - understandable given their age and category. However, the TG-2’s better sensor and improved stabilization give it smoother motion capture and clearer low-light performance on video.

For casual video or travel vlogging, TG-2 is the better all-around package.

How Do These Cameras Fit Into Your Photography Life and Budget?

Let’s get practical - with current prices around $380 for Olympus and $150 for Sony (used or new old stock), budget is a big factor.

If you want:

• Ruggedness and outdoor versatility: Olympus TG-2 is your best bet, able to handle rough environments and diverse shooting conditions.
• High image quality in low light and macro: TG-2 again outperforms, no question.
• Compact, pocketable convenience for everyday snapshots or street photography: Sony WX1’s smaller frame and discrete design shine.
• Better burst shooting for casual action: WX1’s 10 fps is handy but autofocus limits remain.

Both are limited by lack of RAW support and advanced manual controls, so professionals will consider them backups or casual use cameras rather than main bodies.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

In summary, the Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS offers superior sensor performance, better screen, more rugged build quality, and stronger versatility across photographic styles, particularly outdoors and low light. The Sony WX1, while older, remains a compelling ultracompact with faster burst shooting and exceptional portability, ideal for casual photographers prioritizing size and simplicity.

From my personal experience testing these cameras over extended periods, I lean toward the TG-2 for serious enthusiasts or those who want a more durable and flexible tool. The WX1 is a quaint gem for minimalists or budget shoppers wanting lightweight gear.

No matter your choice, both offer a rewarding experience typical of compact cameras in their respective classes and eras - proving that thoughtful design and balanced features can still impress, years after release.

Happy shooting!