Nikon Coolpix A10 vs Olympus Tough TG-4 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video
Nikon Coolpix A10
47
SCORE
|
Olympus · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Olympus Tough TG-4
49
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Coolpix A10 and the Olympus Tough TG-4 are both fixed-lens compacts aimed at different kinds of shooting. The A10, announced in January 2016, is the smaller and lighter body at 160 g and 96 x 59 x 29 mm. The TG-4, from 2015, weighs 247 g at 112 x 66 x 31 mm and carries weather sealing for conditions the A10 is not built for. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 14, 2016 | April 13, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 96 x 59 x 29 mm | 112 x 66 x 31 mm |
| Camera weight | 160 g | 247 g |
| Optics | 49/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe TG-4 is the far stronger camera for action, shooting at 5 fps against the A10's 1.2 fps, which matters for a dog mid-jump or a child running on a beach. Its CMOS sensor also reaches ISO 6400, against 1600 on the A10's CCD, giving more setting headroom when light fades. The two share a 16 MP resolution on a 1/2.3-inch sensor format, so neither offers more crop room for distant subjects. Both include in-body stabilisation and share a 1/2000-second top shutter speed. Framing falls to the rear screen, since neither camera has a viewfinder, and both rely on a single autofocus point. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
1.2 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Unspecified | TruePic VII |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
8030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
444080 | 444080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
200080032000 | 200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10300 | 10300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 34/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe TG-4 is the better video camera, recording Full HD while the A10 stops at Standard HD. Both cap at 30 fps, so neither offers slow motion, but the TG-4's footage keeps more detail on a large television. It also offers a built-in timelapse mode for condensing sunsets or drifting clouds, and records in H.264, MOV and Motion JPEG against the A10's MOV alone. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | H.264, MOV, Motion JPEG |
| Features | 47/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe TG-4 is the camera for outdoor work, with weather sealing plus built-in GPS. Sealing lets it keep shooting in rain or coastal spray, and GPS tags each photo with a location for mapping a hike. The A10 answers with Bluetooth for phone pairing, which the TG-4 omits. Both offer Wi-Fi, a touch screen, live view and a built-in flash. The TG-4's rear screen is also the clearer one, a 3-inch TFT LCD with 460,000 dots against the A10's 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot panel, which helps when reviewing shots for focus and detail. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe A10 runs on two AA batteries and is rated for 400 shots, while the TG-4 uses a LI-92B pack rated for 380 shots. AAs suit trips away from power because you can pack fresh spares, whereas the TG-4 needs its own charged pack. Both write to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and the TG-4 adds internal storage for when a card fills or is forgotten. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, internal storage |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | 2 x AA batteries | LI-92B |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the Olympus Tough TG-4 if your photography happens outdoors. Weather sealing, GPS tagging, a 5 fps burst and Full HD video suit beach days, hikes and rain-soaked sightseeing. Choose the Nikon Coolpix A10 when light, simple carry matters most. It is smaller, 87 g lighter, pairs over Bluetooth, and runs on replaceable AA batteries. Both share 16 MP resolution, stabilisation and Wi-Fi, so the choice turns on where you shoot.