Fujifilm XQ2 vs Olympus TG-6

The Fujifilm XQ2 and the Olympus Tough TG-6 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2015 and May 2019. Both the XQ2 and the TG-6 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a 2/3 (XQ2) and a 1/2.3-inch (TG-6) sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 12 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm XQ2		Olympus TG-6
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
25-100mm f/1.8-4.9		25-100mm f/2.0-4.9
12 MP – Two Thirds sensor		12 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/60p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-12,800		ISO 100-12,800
No viewfinder, LCD framing		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 920k dots		3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
12 shutter flaps per second		20 shutter flaps per second
Lens-based stabilization		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Waterproof body (15m)
240 shots per battery charge		340 shots per battery charge
100 x 59 x 33 mm, 206 g		113 x 66 x 32 mm, 253 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm XQ2 and the Olympus Tough TG-6? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm XQ2 and the Olympus TG-6. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The XQ2 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, white), while the TG-6 is available in two color-versions (black, red).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus TG-6 is notably larger (26 percent) than the Fujifilm XQ2. Moreover, the TG-6 is markedly heavier (23 percent) than the XQ2. It is noteworthy in this context that the TG-6 is splash and dust-proof, while the XQ2 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. More than that, the TG-6 is water-proof up to 15m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

Concerning battery life, the XQ2 gets 240 shots out of its Fujifilm NP-48 battery, while the TG-6 can take 340 images on a single charge of its Olympus LI-92B power pack. The power pack in the TG-6 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm XQ2	100 mm	59 mm	33 mm	206 g	240	n	Jan 2015	US$ 399	ebay.com
2.		Olympus TG-6	113 mm	66 mm	32 mm	253 g	340	Y	May 2019	US$ 449	ebay.com
3.		Canon S120	100 mm	59 mm	29 mm	217 g	230	n	Aug 2013	US$ 449	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-A3	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	339 g	410	n	Aug 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-A10	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	331 g	410	n	Dec 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm X10	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	350 g	270	n	Sep 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm X20	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	353 g	270	n	Jan 2013	US$ 599	ebay.com
8.		Fujifilm X30	119 mm	72 mm	60 mm	423 g	470	n	Aug 2014	US$ 599	ebay.com
9.		Fujifilm X70	113 mm	64 mm	44 mm	340 g	330	n	Jan 2016	US$ 799	ebay.com
10.		Fujifilm XQ1	100 mm	59 mm	33 mm	206 g	240	n	Oct 2013	US$ 499	ebay.com
11.		Olympus TG-4	112 mm	66 mm	31 mm	247 g	380	Y	Apr 2015	US$ 379	ebay.com
12.		Olympus TG-5	113 mm	66 mm	32 mm	250 g	340	Y	May 2017	US$ 449	ebay.com
13.		Olympus XZ-1	111 mm	65 mm	42 mm	275 g	320	n	Jan 2011	US$ 499	ebay.com
14.		OM System TG-7	114 mm	66 mm	33 mm	249 g	330	Y	Sep 2023	US$ 549	amazon.com
15.		Ricoh WG-6	118 mm	66 mm	33 mm	246 g	340	Y	Feb 2019	US$ 399	amazon.com
16.		Sony HX80	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	390	n	Mar 2016	US$ 349	ebay.com
17.		Sony HX90V	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	360	n	Apr 2015	US$ 429	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The XQ2 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 11 percent) than the TG-6, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm XQ2 features a 2/3 sensor and the Olympus TG-6 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the TG-6 is 52 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 3.9 and 5.6. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Even though the XQ2 has a larger sensor, both cameras offer the same resolution of 12 megapixels. This implies that the XQ2 has a lower pixel density and larger individual pixels (with a pixel pitch of 2.20μm versus 1.53μm for the TG-6), which gives it a potential advantage in terms of light gathering capacity. It should, however, be noted that the TG-6 is much more recent (by 4 years and 4 months) than the XQ2, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the XQ2 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The XQ2 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Fujifilm XQ2 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. The Olympus Tough TG-6 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

In terms of underlying technology, the XQ2 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the TG-6 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. The XQ2 uses Fujifilm's X-Trans layout of photosites, while the TG-6 employs the more common Bayer array.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm XQ2	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	20.5	11.2	-275	49
2.		Olympus TG-6	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	4K/30p	20.7	12.2	1127	52
3.		Canon S120	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.3	11.9	246	56
4.		Fujifilm X-A3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.8	13.1	1664	81
5.		Fujifilm X-A10	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	23.9	13.2	1691	81
6.		Fujifilm X10	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	20.5	11.3	245	50
7.		Fujifilm X20	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	20.1	10.9	-462	46
8.		Fujifilm X30	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	20.4	11.2	-312	49
9.		Fujifilm X70	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	23.7	13.0	1608	80
10.		Fujifilm XQ1	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	20.3	11.0	-390	47
11.		Olympus TG-4	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.2	11.6	737	47
12.		Olympus TG-5	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	4K/30p	20.5	11.9	934	50
13.		Olympus XZ-1	1/1.7	10.1	3664	2752	720/30p	18.8	10.4	117	34
14.		OM System TG-7	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	4K/30p	20.9	12.7	1553	54
15.		Ricoh WG-6	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.7	12.2	1104	52
16.		Sony HX80	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	20.4	11.8	822	48
17.		Sony HX90V	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	738	47
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the TG-6 provides a better video resolution than the XQ2. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Fujifilm is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The XQ2 and the TG-6 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Fujifilm XQ2 and Olympus TG-6 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm XQ2	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
2.		Olympus TG-6	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/2000s	20.0/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon S120	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	Y	1/2000s	12.1/s	Y	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-A3	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
5.		Fujifilm X-A10	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	n	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
6.		Fujifilm X10	optical	n	2.8 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
7.		Fujifilm X20	optical	n	2.8 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
8.		Fujifilm X30	2360	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
9.		Fujifilm X70	optional	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm XQ1	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Olympus TG-4	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	Y
12.		Olympus TG-5	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/2000s	20.0/s	Y	Y
13.		Olympus XZ-1	optional	n	3.0 / 614	fixed	n	1/2000s	2.0/s	Y	Y
14.		OM System TG-7	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/2000s	20.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Ricoh WG-6	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	1.0/s	Y	n
16.		Sony HX80	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
17.		Sony HX90V	638	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The Olympus TG-6 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Both the XQ2 and the TG-6 have zoom lenses built in. The XQ2 has a 25-100mm f/1.8-4.9 optic and the TG-6 offers a 25-100mm f/2.0-4.9 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). The XQ2 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the XQ2 and the TG-6 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm XQ2 and Olympus Tough TG-6 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm XQ2	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
2.		Olympus TG-6	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon S120	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
4.		Fujifilm X-A3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Fujifilm X-A10	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Fujifilm X10	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Fujifilm X20	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Fujifilm X30	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Fujifilm X70	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm XQ1	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Olympus TG-4	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Olympus TG-5	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Olympus XZ-1	Y	mono / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		OM System TG-7	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
15.		Ricoh WG-6	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	3.0	-	-	-
16.		Sony HX80	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony HX90V	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the TG-6 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the XQ2 and the TG-6 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The TG-6 was replaced by the OM System TG-7, while the XQ2 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the XQ2 and TG-6 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm XQ2 Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus TG-6 Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm XQ2 and the Olympus TG-6? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm XQ2:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.0).
• More compact: Is smaller (100x59mm vs 113x66mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 47g or 19 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (11 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2015).

Advantages of the Olympus Tough TG-6:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (20 vs 12 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (340 versus 240) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 15m).
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 4 months of technical progress since the XQ2 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the XQ2 comes out slightly ahead of the TG-6 (12 : 11 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm XQ2 and the Olympus TG-6 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the XQ2 or the TG-6 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm XQ2	..	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2015	US$ 399	ebay.com
2.		Olympus TG-6	4/5	+ +	4.5/5	76/100	4/5	4/5	May 2019	US$ 449	ebay.com
3.		Canon S120	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	US$ 449	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-A3	..	..	..	74/100	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-A10	..	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Dec 2016	US$ 399	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm X10	..	..	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm X20	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2013	US$ 599	ebay.com
8.		Fujifilm X30	4/5	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2014	US$ 599	ebay.com
9.		Fujifilm X70	4.5/5	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	US$ 799	ebay.com
10.		Fujifilm XQ1	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	US$ 499	ebay.com
11.		Olympus TG-4	..	+	..	79/100	4/5	4/5	Apr 2015	US$ 379	ebay.com
12.		Olympus TG-5	..	+ +	4.5/5	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	US$ 449	ebay.com
13.		Olympus XZ-1	4/5	..	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2011	US$ 499	ebay.com
14.		OM System TG-7	4/5	..	4.5/5	..	4/5	4/5	Sep 2023	US$ 549	amazon.com
15.		Ricoh WG-6	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2019	US$ 399	amazon.com
16.		Sony HX80	..	..	..	..	..	..	Mar 2016	US$ 349	ebay.com
17.		Sony HX90V	4/5	+ +	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2015	US$ 429	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

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