Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A390: An In-Depth Comparative Review for Every Photographer

When it comes to buying a camera, I’ve come to realize one thing: the best camera for you isn’t necessarily the one with the fanciest specs or the highest price tag. It’s the camera that fits your shooting style, your environment, and even your quirks. Today, I’ll walk you through a detailed shootout between two polar-opposite cameras: the Olympus Tough TG-6, a rugged pocket powerhouse announced in 2019, and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390, a decade-old entry-level DSLR still favored by budget-conscious newcomers.

At first glance, these two don’t seem comparable. One is a waterproof compact made to survive rough conditions; the other is a traditional mid-range DSLR designed for creative control with interchangeable lenses. But that’s exactly why I find this comparison so interesting - because depending on your photography genres, shooting preferences, and budget, either of these could be your next camera.

In this review, I’ll break down every important aspect across all major photography disciplines, practical performance metrics, and value assessments - drawing from extensive hands-on tests, lab results, and real-world shooting experiences.

Let’s begin.

Feeling the Cameras in Your Hands

Before pointing lenses or firing shutters, the first critical step is physical ergonomics and usability. If a camera doesn’t feel comfortable or intuitive, all the megapixels in the world won’t save you frustration on a day-long shoot.

Size and Build Quality: Compact Ruggedness vs. Classic DSLR Solidity

The Olympus TG-6 weighs a mere 253 grams and measures 113 x 66 x 32 mm. It’s built like a tank but slips easily into pockets or small bags. Thanks to its tough, sealed polycarbonate chassis, it’s waterproof (up to 15m), dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof. I literally took mine snorkeling off the coast, then dropped it (accidentally) onto rocks more times than I care to admit, and it took it all like a champ.

In contrast, the Sony A390 is a heftier beast at 549 grams with bulkier dimensions (128 x 97 x 86 mm). It’s a classic DSLR with a magnesium alloy-reinforced plastic body, offering solid build quality but no weather sealing or rugged protection. It handles like a mini grip club for my thumbs - comfortable for longer shoots but definitely not pocket-friendly. It demands a dedicated camera bag.

Controls Layout and Handling

Olympus keeps it streamlined with minimal buttons but a menu that’s a bit nested, especially without a touchscreen. The TG-6 offers aperture priority mode but lacks manual exposure, somewhat limiting creative control. The lack of an electronic or optical viewfinder is felt when shooting in bright sunlight since the rear 3-inch fixed LCD screen (1040k dots) can get washed out.

Sony’s A390 features a traditional DSLR control scheme, including dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. The tilting 2.7-inch screen, albeit a low-res 230k dots, swivels for constitutional neck stretching but does not support touch. The optical pentamirror viewfinder (95% coverage) is a classic boon for composing and tracking in bright conditions.

If you love the tactile feel of rings and wheels to take full creative reins, the A390 is a no-brainer here. If you simply want weatherproof reliability without bulk, the TG-6’s pocketability wins.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Really Does Matter

The sensor is the heart of any digital camera, defining image quality, dynamic range, noise handling, and resolution.

Sensor Technology and Resolution

TG-6 sports a 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor, measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm and packing 12 effective megapixels (4000 x 3000 max resolution). The sensor size is small compared to larger cameras but is common in rugged compacts.

Sony A390 offers a much larger APS-C CCD sensor at 23.5 x 15.7 mm, boasting 14 megapixels (4592 x 3056 resolution). The sizeable sensor area captures more light, boosting image quality and low light capability.

Color Depth, Dynamic Range, and Noise

The larger A390 chip yields higher DxO Mark numbers (overall score: 66, color depth: 22.5 bits, dynamic range: 11.5 EV, ISO low-light score: 607). The TG-6, not tested by DxO, inevitably cannot rival these specs but offers decent results for casual photography.

However, the A390 uses a CCD sensor - older technology and generally more prone to noise at higher ISOs compared to CMOS types seen on newer cameras like the TG-6. Still, because the TG-6’s sensor is tiny, image quality under dim conditions remains a challenge.

For landscapes, portraits, and astro shots, the A390 will deliver sharper, cleaner images with richer detail. The TG-6’s small sensor makes it best suited for daylight and close-range shots where ruggedness trumps pixel perfection.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy

No matter your genre, autofocus (AF) determines your ability to get sharp, decisive shots - especially when subjects move or light fades.

Autofocus Systems Compared

The Olympus TG-6 has a contrast-detection AF with 25 focus points, face detection, and tracking that proved surprisingly capable for a compact rugged. It even includes focus bracketing and stacking for macro work (more on that later).

The Sony A390 features a traditional DSLRs’ phase detection AF with 9 points (no cross-type info). While older and with fewer AF zones than modern cameras, it generally delivers fast, reliable autofocus for static and moderately moving subjects. However, it lacks AF tracking and continuous touch AF.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds

The TG-6 can blister along at 20 fps continuous shooting, great for action snaps in good light, albeit at a relatively modest 1/2000s shutter top speed.

The A390 tops out at 3 fps burst and a longer max shutter speed of 1/4000s. That slower burst might frustrate sports shooters, though longer maximum shutter speeds help with bright conditions and creative effects.

For wildlife or sports photographers needing fast tracking and rapid-fire frames, neither camera is a pro-level choice; however, the TG-6 burst speed would edge out in daylight quick snaps.

Looking Through the Lens: Lens Characteristics and Compatibility

One essential difference: TG-6 has a fixed lens, while the A390 uses interchangeable lenses.

Olympus TG-6 Lens Overview

The fixed 25-100mm (35mm eq.) f/2.0-4.9 lens on the TG-6 offers 4x optical zoom with impressively close macro focusing down to 1 cm. Its wide f/2.0 aperture at wide-angle aids low-light shots and shallow depth of field when combined with the camera’s sensor.

The optical stabilization uses sensor-shift tech mitigating handheld shake and enhancing macro and telephoto sharpness. However, there’s no opportunity to swap lenses or add specialty optics.

Sony A390 Lens Ecosystem

As part of the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount family, the A390 can access roughly 143 lenses - everything from macro glass to massive telephoto zooms, primes, and specialty optics (fisheye, tilt-shift). This versatility is invaluable for photographers who prioritize creative control.

However, lens purchases add substantial cost, weight, and complexity. The included kit lens is usually an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 affair adequate for general use but not exceptional.

The takeaway: TG-6 is ideal for photographers who want a ready-to-go, robust package. The A390 requires more investment but rewards with limitless photographic exploration.

Screens, Viewfinders, and User Interfaces

While the TG-6 lacks any optical or electronic viewfinder, it sports a bright fixed 3-inch LCD with high resolution, though it’s non-touch and struggles under intense sunlight.

The A390 features an optical pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage - classic DSLR - great for bright light composition and battery saving. Its tilting 2.7-inch LCD, while lower resolution, adds some angle flexibility but sacrifices touch interface.

Choosing between these is often a matter of shooting preferences. Landscape or macro photographers working in bright conditions will appreciate the A390’s viewfinder for precise framing. The TG-6’s fixed screen is great for casual snaps or underwater photography.

Real-World Examples: How Do the Images Stack Up?

Olympus TG 6 front Olympus TG 6 screen back Sony A390 screen back

Shooting side by side, results reflect spec expectations:

• Portraits: The Sony A390’s larger sensor produces superior skin tones, smoother bokeh, and more natural eye detection thanks to phase-detect AF. The TG-6’s smaller sensor and fixed lens mean sharper but flatter skin rendering and limited bokeh quality.

• Landscape: A390’s resolution and dynamic range deliver rich details in shadows and highlights; files have greater editing latitude. TG-6 images tend to lack micro-detail and struggle with highlight clipping but still suffice for social media sharing or snapshots in rugged environments.

• Wildlife and Sports: Neither excels here, but TG-6’s fast burst speed captures fleeting moments, albeit at modest resolution and AF tracking. A390’s precise autofocus yields sharp subjects but lower frame rates limit action sequence capture.

• Street Shooting: TG-6’s discreet size, silent operation, and weatherproofing make it a stealthy companion, while A390’s bulk and shutter noise tend to draw eyes.

• Macro Photography: Olympus shines with 1 cm minimum focusing and focus bracketing, ideal for insects and fine detail. Sony relies on macro lenses, which add cost and bulk.

• Night and Astro: A390’s sensor can be pushed to ISO 3200 with acceptable noise for astrophotography; TG-6’s small sensor struggles, though its sensor-shift stabilization helps with handheld night shots.

Video Capabilities and Connectivity

If video is important, the Olympus TG-6 offers solid 4K UHD recording at 30 fps with H.264 compression - quite impressive for a compact rugged. It includes built-in stabilization and GPS for geotagging. Unfortunately, no mic or headphone ports limit serious audio monitoring.

The Sony A390 lacks video modes entirely, so if video creativity is part of your toolkit, it’s a no-go.

Wireless connectivity is built-in for TG-6 (Wi-Fi), letting you quickly transfer photos to smartphones. The A390 has none, relying on USB or SD card transfers.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery endurance is often overlooked until you’re out shooting all day.

The TG-6’s lithium-ion battery rated at 340 shots per charge keeps pace with many compacts and survives fieldwork nicely.

The A390, despite its bulk, offers about 230 shots per charge (CIPA rating), less than modern mirrorless but typical of older DSLRs.

Both cameras accept SD cards (TG-6 supports UHS-I), though A390 additionally supports Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo format.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Buck

At time of writing, the TG-6 retails around $449, while the A390 hovers near $499, often available refurbished or second-hand for less.

Here’s the rub: The TG-6 delivers a fully weatherproof, ruggedized camera tailor-made for outdoor adventures with 4K video capabilities and a versatile macro lens onboard right out of the box.

The Sony A390, while older, offers a far larger sensor, interchangeable lenses, and manual controls that elevate image quality and creative possibilities - at the expense of durability, video, and modern conveniences.

How Each Camera Performs Across Popular Photography Genres

To summarize the scorecard from my field tests:

• Portrait: Sony A390 wins (better sensor, lenses, bokeh)
• Landscape: Sony A390 wins (dynamic range, resolution)
• Wildlife: Tie - TG-6 faster burst; A390 better glass
• Sports: TG-6 edges ahead (burst speed)
• Street: TG-6 preferred (discreet and rugged)
• Macro: TG-6 wins (close focusing, bracketing)
• Night/Astro: Sony A390 wins (sensor size and ISO)
• Video: TG-6 only option
• Travel: TG-6 preferred (size, weight, durability)
• Professional Work: Sony A390 preferred (controls, raw files)

The Final Scoreboard: Overall Performance Ratings

Evaluating all factors, the Sony A390 scores higher on image quality and flexibility, while the Olympus TG-6 provides unmatched ruggedness, portability, and video features.

Who Should Buy the Olympus TG-6?

I often recommend the TG-6 for:

• Outdoor enthusiasts who want a lightweight, waterproof camera for hiking, snorkeling, or extreme weather.
• Casual photographers who want simple, reliable shooting with strong macro and video features.
• Anyone needing a compact, all-in-one solution without fussing over lenses.
• Travelers seeking a versatile secondary or pocket camera to complement a more advanced system.

If your shoots involve rain, snow, dust, or water, the TG-6 is your lifeline.

Who Should Opt for the Sony A390?

Choose the A390 if you are:

• Budget-conscious beginners or hobbyists exploring DSLR photography.
• Photographers eager to experiment with creative control - manual exposure, aperture priority, selectable AF modes.
• Those who want access to an affordable, broad lens ecosystem or want to upgrade glass over time.
• Portrait, landscape, or astro shooters who prioritize image quality over portability.
• Cheapskates who want more for less on the second-hand market - the A390 remains a steal for many still.

If you don’t need video and can carry extra gear, this camera still punches above its years.

Closing Thoughts: Matching Cameras to Users’ Needs

Having tested both cameras extensively and used them in divergent shooting scenarios, my advice boils down to:

• Don’t choose based on specs alone. The Jungle of camera tidbits online can drown you. Instead, think about your shooting environment and values: ruggedness vs. sensor size; portability vs. creative control; video capability vs. lens system versatility.

• The Olympus TG-6 is the ultimate rugged companion, perfect for adventures and social sharing with good video, decent images, and near indestructibility.

• The Sony A390 remains a worthy starter DSLR, delivering superior image quality and artistic freedom, albeit with bulk and no video.

This isn’t about “which camera is better” universally - it’s about which camera suits your photography vision, budget, and lifestyle.

Happy shooting!

Summary of Pros and Cons

References and Testing Notes

My evaluations involved extended shooting sessions in studio, outdoors, and night environments. I compared RAW files through Lightroom, evaluated JPEGs in various light, and tested autofocus latency with moving subjects. Sensor analysis used DxO Mark benchmarks where available. Ergonomics were assessed through day-long shooting events and usability reviews with peers.

Any questions about which camera fits your project? I’m happy to help as you plan your next gear acquisition. Drop a comment or reach out!