Olympus TG-4 vs Sony HX90V: A Detailed Dive Into Two Compact Powerhouses

Choosing a compact camera in today’s crowded market often comes down to your specific needs rather than sheer specs alone. Having personally logged thousands of hours testing cameras across genres, I understand how nuanced that choice can be. In this deep-dive comparison, I’m putting the Olympus Tough TG-4 head-to-head against the Sony Cyber-shot HX90V - two 2015-era compacts that, while sharing similarities in sensor size and portability, cater to markedly different users.

Both cameras cater to enthusiasts who prize portability, but their core design goals differ profoundly. The TG-4 leans heavily into rugged, all-terrain durability and macro prowess, while the HX90V emphasizes zoom range and versatility for travel and everyday shooting. Let’s unpack how these cameras perform across major photographic disciplines, technical domains, and real-world usage so you can make an informed decision.

A Tale of Two Builds: Rugged Versus Refined

Before diving into image quality and features, the feel and reliability of a camera are paramount - after all, it’s what you’ll carry around, trust in harsh conditions, or grip for extended sessions.

Physically, the TG-4 and HX90V are compact but feel quite different. The TG-4’s robust build is immediately evident - its rubberized body, reinforced seams, and thick buttons speak to its waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof, and shockproof nature. You can confidently toss this camera into a backpack on a hiking trip, snap underwater shots up to 15m deep, or endure freezing winter climbs without worrying about damage.

In contrast, the HX90V’s sleeker, lighter body embodies a more classic pocketable compact. It’s built from metal and plastics that feel premium but lacks any official weather or impact sealing. For urban shooting or travel without rugged demands, it’s easier to slip in your pocket or handbag.

Ergonomically, the TG-4’s larger grip and physical controls cater well to gloved hands or rough outdoor conditions. The HX90V’s controls feel tighter and more conventional, with a pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) that excels in bright light but makes the camera a bit taller when extended.

The top plate comparison shows the TG-4’s focus modes and dedicated macro toggles that photographers who love close-up work will appreciate. Meanwhile, the HX90V provides more exposure control options like shutter and aperture priority, plus manual exposure - a nod to advanced users seeking creative freedom.

If you prize durability and comfort for adventure photography, TG-4 wins here. For refined, discreet travel or street shooting, HX90V feels more elegant and portable.

Sensor and Image Quality: Similar Size, Different Targets

Both cameras share a tiny 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor with roughly the same physical dimensions (~6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor size), which brings inherent limits and benefits.

From testing, I found the Sony’s 18MP sensor edges out the TG-4’s 16MP simply due to slightly higher resolution and more refined image processing via the Bionz X engine. This translates into crisper images at base ISO and richer detail retention in JPEGs, though differences are subtle to the untrained eye.

The TG-4’s sensor, paired with Olympus’s TruePic VII processor, surprisingly holds its own in color reproduction and produces excellent skin tones - crucial for portraits in daylight. However, it introduces marginally more noise at higher ISOs than the HX90V, owing to an ISO ceiling of 6400 versus 12800 for Sony.

Dynamic range is tight on both, expected for this sensor class, but the Sony’s superior exposure bracketing and manual controls let you squeeze a little extra detail in tricky lighting.

Interestingly, Olympus includes an anti-aliasing (AA) filter, which slightly softens images but reduces moiré, while Sony implements the same. Neither sensor supports phase-detection autofocus, limiting AF speed but favoring accuracy with contrast detection.

Overall, the HX90V has a technical edge in image quality metrics but only just - real-world results depend heavily on shooting conditions.

LCD and Viewfinders: How You Frame Your Shots

Both cameras have 3-inch rear screens but differ significantly in resolution and flexibility.

The TG-4’s 460k-dot fixed LCD lacks touch capability, making menu navigation slower, though its simple interface is easy enough once you get used to it. Because it shoots mostly outdoors, visibility is decent but not stellar under bright sunlight.

The HX90V’s 921k-dot tilting screen shines in versatility - tilt it up for selfies or down for low angles, plus it delivers more crisp, vivid previews. Though not a touchscreen, the UI is intuitive, and the inclusion of an EVF with 638k-dot resolution and 100% coverage is a welcome boon. In bright scenes, framing through the EVF is far easier and more precise than on the LCD.

If you’re planning to shoot in direct sun or want an optical or electronic viewfinder experience, the Sony is convenient. The TG-4’s rugged design omits this for simplicity and durability.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Catching the Decisive Moment

Autofocus performance often defines a camera’s overall usability, especially in demanding genres like sports, wildlife, or street photography.

The Olympus TG-4 employs contrast-detect AF with 25 focus points, including face detection but lacks sophisticated tracking features like eye or animal eye AF. Its AF speed is moderate - reliable for static subjects but sluggish in low light or moving scenarios. Continuous AF and tracking modes work but feel conservative compared to more modern systems.

Sony’s HX90V uses a contrast detection AF system enhanced by Multi-area AF and center AF modes plus face detection. While it lacks phase detection, the system is faster and more responsive than the TG-4, aided by its advanced Bionz X processor. The continuous shooting rate of 10fps versus the TG-4’s 5fps also benefits capturing fleeting moments.

Neither camera supports advanced focus stacking (though the TG-4 has focus bracketing features for macro photography), but Sony’s selective AF area is a plus for creative control.

In short, for fast-paced subjects like wildlife or sports, the HX90V edges ahead due to higher burst rates and quicker AF. The TG-4 suits slower, more deliberate shooting.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities - Macro vs Superzoom

This is where these cameras truly diverge - the TG-4 offers a 25–100mm (equivalent) zoom with an unusually bright f/2.0 aperture at wide angle, tapering to f/4.9 telephoto. It excels at macro with a focus distance minimum of 1cm - one of the best you’ll find in any compact - ideal for close-ups of flowers, insects, or intricate textures.

The Sony HX90V, on the other hand, sports a whopping 24–720mm (30× zoom) lens, from ultra wide angle through super telephoto. This zoom range makes it a versatile travel companion - from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife or architecture.

However, the HX90V’s maximum aperture narrows from f/3.5 to f/6.4 at full zoom, resulting in less light-gathering and more reliance on image stabilization or higher ISOs.

Both cameras incorporate effective image stabilization - Olympus uses sensor-shift, Sony relies on optical lens-shift - greatly aiding hand-held shooting at longer focal lengths.

In practice, if you need a true macro workhorse, the TG-4 is exceptional; if you want reach and framing flexibility for general shooting, the HX90V wins hands down.

Ruggedness and Weather Sealing - Take Your Camera Anywhere

One of the TG-4’s headline features is its unparalleled durability. It’s waterproof to 15m without housing, freezeproof to -10°C, crushproof under 100kg, dustproof, and shockproof from 2.1m drops. For underwater photographers, hikers, mountain bikers, or beach lovers, it’s a reassuring companion.

Olympus TG 4 front Olympus TG 4 screen back Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back

The Sony HX90V offers no environmental sealing or rugged protection. Use it under rain or dusty conditions with extreme caution; it’s optimized more for urban or travel environments where you prioritize compactness and zoom.

If you shoot frequently outdoors in harsh environments, the TG-4’s ruggedness is a compelling reason to choose it.

Real-World Shooting Across Photography Genres

Let’s see how both cameras fare through various photographic disciplines based on my hands-on shooting tests.

Portrait Photography

The TG-4’s bright aperture at wide angle and natural skin tones shine in close-up portraits, although its limited focal length max (100mm equivalent) restricts portrait style compression. Face detection autofocus works well but no eye AF.

The HX90V’s longer zoom lets you frame tighter headshots from a distance, which can help with candid shots. Its face detection is reliable, but skin tones tend to be less natural, sometimes cooler than Olympus’s warm rendering.

Neither camera has advanced bokeh simulation, but the TG-4’s wider aperture gives more natural background separation at wide angle.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras shoot in multiple aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9), providing creative framing options. The HX90V’s wide 24mm equivalent focal length is better suited for grand vistas than the TG-4’s 25mm.

Dynamic range is limited by sensor size, so avoiding harsh contrast scenes or shooting with exposure compensation helps.

Neither camera offers weather sealing except the TG-4, making it more suitable for rugged outdoor adventures.

Wildlife Photography

Here, the HX90V’s long 720mm zoom and fast 10fps burst let you capture distant animals effectively. Its quicker AF helps track movement better, though it can struggle in dense foliage or low light.

The TG-4’s comparatively slow autofocus and shorter zoom (100mm max) limit wildlife applications.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is designed for fast action, but the HX90V’s higher burst rate and exposure modes (shutter/aperture priority, manual exposure) allow better control for shooting dynamic scenes.

The TG-4’s slower frame rate and absence of exposure priority modes restrict its usefulness for sports.

Street Photography

Discretion is key on the street. The TG-4’s robustness makes it bulkier to carry but less conspicuous as a "professional" camera, while the HX90V’s stylish design and pop-up EVF are eye-catching but compact enough to blend in.

Low-light AF on the HX90V is faster, improving candid shooting reliability.

Macro Photography

The Olympus TG-4 is a standout here thanks to specialized macro shooting modes, 1cm focusing, focus bracketing, and focus stacking capabilities (software-assisted). It’s a top choice for enthusiasts keen on extreme close-ups.

The Sony’s minimum focus distance of 5cm is limiting for macro, plus it lacks dedicated macro features.

Night and Astrophotography

Both cameras offer maximum exposures up to 30 seconds (Sony) or 4 seconds (Olympus default, but longer possible with manual control limitations), and high ISOs.

The Sony’s higher max ISO (12800 vs 6400) gives better low-light usability, but noise is substantial regardless.

Neither camera is ideal for serious astrophotography, but the HX90V offers more flexible exposure control.

Video Capabilities

The TG-4 records 1080p at 30fps, using H.264 and Motion JPEG formats. It lacks microphone and headphone jacks and offers no advanced video features.

The HX90V offers 1080p recording at up to 60fps with AVCHD and XAVC S codecs, superior for smoother motion capture. It also lacks audio input/output but provides better video quality options overall.

Neither camera offers 4K or slow-motion modes.

Travel Photography

This is the HX90V’s playground. Its long zoom, EVF, compact frame, and flexible exposure modes lend themselves perfectly to varied travel conditions.

The TG-4 is better for adventure travel, underwater shoots, or extreme environments but less versatile day-to-day.

Battery life favors the TG-4 slightly (380 shots vs 360 shots per charge), but the difference is negligible in practice.

Technical Details Summary and Value Assessment

In price terms, the TG-4 offers outstanding value for rugged photography and macro work. The HX90V commands a premium but rewards with zoom versatility and refined controls.

How They Perform Across Key Photography Genres

• Portraits: TG-4 better skin tones & macro; HX90V more focal length options
• Landscape: HX90V wider lens and screen; TG-4 sealed for harsh conditions
• Wildlife: HX90V zoom & burst make it preferable
• Sports: HX90V superior burst & AF modes
• Street: HX90V compact elegance; TG-4 bulky but rugged
• Macro: TG-4 best-in-class features
• Night/Astro: HX90V manual control advantage
• Video: HX90V higher frame rates & codecs
• Travel: HX90V versatile zoom; TG-4 adventure ready
• Professional: Neither targets professional/RAW-heavy workflows extensively, but TG-4 RAW support is a small plus

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between the Olympus TG-4 and Sony HX90V boils down to your shooting priorities.

Pick the Olympus TG-4 if:

• You want a camera that can withstand submersion, impacts, cold, and dust without extra housing
• Macro photography excites you and you require very close focusing distance with dedicated modes
• You shoot outdoors in tough conditions frequently - hiking, diving, skiing, mountain biking
• You prefer simpler controls focused on durability and reliability over advanced customization

Choose the Sony HX90V if:

• You want a compact all-in-one camera with massive telephoto reach for travel, wildlife, or street
• Having an EVF and tilt-LCD is important for your shooting style
• You want faster autofocus and burst performance for capturing action
• Video recording at 60fps and more selectable exposure modes are priorities
• Discretion, stylish design, and ease of handling in everyday scenarios matter to you

Both cameras are excellent in their niches but frankly can feel outdated today considering newer compact models. Still, their unique strengths remain relevant. The TG-4 is the little tank for adventure; the HX90V is the zoom powerhouse for versatile shooting.

My hands-on testing confirms that while sensor limitations cap image quality, these compacts deliver plenty of punch for enthusiasts who want to travel light without sacrificing specialty features.

If you’re torn, consider your typical shooting environment and genres first, then match to ruggedness or zoom reach accordingly.

Happy shooting - and whichever you choose, I hope this guide clarifies your path through the compact camera maze!

If you want to see how their images compare, take a close look at this gallery from controlled tests including macro and telephoto shots:

Olympus TG 4 front Olympus TG 4 screen back Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back