Canon ELPH 140 IS vs Samsung TL205

Canon ELPH 140 IS vs Samsung TL205: A Thorough Ultracompact Camera Showdown for the Practical Photographer

When it comes to ultracompact cameras, the market is flooded with options promising pocketable convenience and decent imaging chops. Yet, if you peel back the marketing fluff, you find quite a collection of trade-offs between sensor tech, lens versatility, shooting modes, and user experience. Today, I’m dissecting two contenders that might look similar on the surface but have some intriguing differences hiding beneath their sleek shells: the 2014 Canon PowerShot ELPH 140 IS (also known as the IXUS 150) and the slightly older 2010 Samsung TL205 (aka PL100).

Both cameras target the casual point-and-shoot crowd but carry enough features that make them worthy of consideration for enthusiasts who want easy-to-use gear with some punch. Having had plenty of hands-on with both, including shooting side-by-side in various conditions, I’m here to guide you through what they bring, what they lack, and who should consider each - all anchored in real-world usage and technical evaluation.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty starting with their physical presence - because size and ergonomics matter a lot when you’re aiming for ‘grab-and-go’ versatility.

Pocket Fit and Handling: Size and Ergonomics That Matter

Both the Canon ELPH 140 IS and Samsung TL205 classify as ultracompact, but they carry different design philosophies that impact how they feel in your hand and how easily you can carry them everywhere.

The Canon ELPH 140 IS measures a petite 95 x 54 x 22 mm and weighs a mere 127 grams. It feels slightly more refined with its smooth rounded edges and compact footprint that slides effortlessly into a jacket pocket or a small purse. Its grip area is modest but reasonably comfortable for an ultracompact, largely because Canon carefully balanced the thickness to improve hold without bulk.

Contrast this with the Samsung TL205, which is marginally bigger at 99 x 59 x 20 mm and comes in heftier at 177 grams. It still fits the ‘ultracompact’ category but with a bit more presence, mainly due to a chunkier lens barrel and more angular form. The extra weight and size give it a slightly more substantial feel - some might appreciate that for steadier handholding, while others may find it less pocket-friendly for prolonged carry.

In practice, the ELPH’s lighter grip is a boon on long sightseeing days, while the TL205’s size offers just a touch more physical control. Yet both design choices cater well to casual shooters who want maximum portability.

Control and Interface: Top Deck Layout and User Interaction

It’s not just about size - how a camera feels to operate is crucial. Both cameras embrace simplicity but differ in buttons and dials presentation.

Examining the top plate, Canon’s design is minimalistic with a zoom rocker, shutter release, power button, and a modest mode dial. Veteran photographers might miss dedicated exposure controls, but for casual shooting, it hits just the right sweet spot. The Canon opts for straightforward menus and limited manual intervention - which is reflective of its “point-and-shoot” spirit. There’s no touchscreen here, and the buttons aren’t backlit, potentially making night operation trickier.

Samsung TL205 also prefers a minimalistic approach, with a zoom lever and shutter button dominating its top. The controls are well placed but don’t offer advanced exposure modes either. Unique to Samsung here is a self-timer with ‘Double’ and ‘Motion’ options - nifty for family snaps or fun sequences, but of limited use for pros.

Where the TL205 falls a little short is in the menu navigation, which feels clunkier compared to Canon’s more polished interface. Neither has touchscreen, live view focusing is contrast detection only (more on that later), and both lack any sort of electronic viewfinder - a notable omission if you’re shooting in sunny or low-light shadows.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Resolution: The Heart of Your Images

At the core of any camera’s imaging performance lies the sensor. Both these ultracompacts use 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors, a common choice for many budget-friendly cameras in their era, but that’s where their similarity ends.

Canon’s ELPH 140 IS sports a 16-megapixel sensor delivering 4608 x 3456 max image resolution. The Samsung TL205 lags a bit here with a 12-megapixel sensor at 4000 x 3000 pixels. Both come with anti-alias filters, which help prevent moiré at the expense of slight softness.

In my testing, the ELPH’s higher megapixel count lends it an advantage in resolution and detail, especially noticeable in landscape and macro shots. Yet, keep in mind that 16MP packed onto a tiny 1/2.3” sensor can mean increased noise in low light - more about ISO performance below.

Interestingly, the ELPH’s CCD sensor is coupled with Canon’s DIGIC 4+ image processor, which does a decent job balancing color vibrancy and noise suppression. Samsung’s TL205 likewise uses proprietary processing but relies on its older sensor design that delivers slightly warmer color tones but struggles more at ISO 800 and above, exhibiting visible noise, grain, and detail loss.

Dynamic range - the ability to capture bright highlights and deep shadows simultaneously - is modest on both, typical of compact sensors but leaning slightly in Canon’s favor due to boosted processing algorithms. Still, neither is designed for landscape photographers craving rich tonal depth.

LCD Screen and Viewing Experience: Your Window to the Shot

Without an electronic viewfinder, your LCD screen becomes the primary way to frame and evaluate shots. Both cameras sport 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCDs with 230k-dot resolution.

The Canon ELPH 140 IS offers a bright, evenly lit panel with decent visibility outdoors - though shooting under harsh midday sun still requires shielding with your hand. Colors appear accurate, and the live view autofocus is responsive enough for general use.

Samsung’s TL205’s screen is about the same size and resolution but tends to skew cooler in tones. The viewing angles are a bit narrower, and the screen’s brightness feels slightly weaker outdoors, occasionally forcing you to rely heavily on the zoom to check composition or details.

Neither has touchscreen capability, so focusing is managed via control buttons and contrast-detection autofocus - no speedy tap-to-focus, making quick adjustments a bit fussier. That said, both offer live review with focus peaking and zoom magnification, helpful for critical focusing close-ups or macro shots.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Can They Keep Up With Your Action?

If your photography frequently involves moving subjects - whether kids, wildlife, or sports - autofocus speed and accuracy make a world of difference.

The Canon ELPH 140 IS features 9 contrast-detection focus points with face detection capability. Its continuous autofocus mode lets it track movement reasonably well given its entry-level status - a boon for casual portraits and everyday shooting. However, its burst shooting maxes out at a poky 1 frame per second (fps), which is barely suitable for capturing action sequences.

The Samsung TL205, meanwhile, offers face detection but no animal or eye detection, and only single autofocus mode without continuous focus tracking during burst shooting. Burst capabilities aren’t specified (likely limited), making it less suited for fast-moving subjects.

Practically, neither camera is a sports or wildlife powerhouse - but Canon’s ELPH has a slight edge due to its face detection and continuous AF, which makes casual snaps of kids or pets slightly more rewarding. The TL205 feels more like a dedicated travel companion for static or slow-moving scenes.

Lens Performance and Versatility: Zoom Range and Aperture

Lens is king for creative control, right? These cameras come with fixed lenses, but their zoom ranges and apertures differ significantly.

Canon’s 8x zoom spans 28-224mm equivalent, giving excellent flexibility from moderate wide-angle through the telephoto realm. This range makes it versatile for landscapes, portraits, and even some telephoto wildlife or candid shots from a distance. The max aperture ranges from f/3.2 wide open to a relatively slow f/6.9 at the tele end - typical for compact zooms but limiting in low light or shallow depth of field scenarios.

Samsung’s TL205 has a shorter 3x zoom from 35-105mm equivalent with aperture from f/3.0 to f/5.6. The wider aperture at the tele end gives it a slight advantage in dimmer settings, but the limited focal reach hampers versatility, especially for landscape or wildlife shooters who want that extra framing freedom.

For macro work, the Canon impresses with a close focusing distance down to 1 cm (yes, one centimeter!), allowing for detailed close-ups unthinkable with many ultracompacts. Samsung’s macro distance is about 10 cm, acceptable but less punchy. If you’re into shooting flowers, insects, or textures, Canon’s lens gives a meaningful creative edge.

Flash, Stabilization, and Exposure Controls: Helping When Conditions Get Tough

Few ultracompacts excel in challenging lighting without some technological help. Both cameras include built-in flash units, but their flash modes differ slightly.

Canon packs Auto, On, Off, and Slow Sync modes - the slow sync being a welcome nod for ambient-lit portraits and nighttime shots where you want balanced exposure without harsh shadows. Flash range is about 3 meters.

Samsung TL205 offers a bit more in flash modes with Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, and Slow Sync. Flash reach extends slightly further to around 3.4 meters. Red-eye reduction can be helpful in party or indoor portraits, a slight advantage there.

One key difference: Canon ELPH 140 IS provides optical image stabilization (OIS), critically important when zoomed in or shooting handheld in low light - it really helps reduce blur from camera shake. Samsung TL205 lacks image stabilization, so sharpness in dim conditions or telephoto shots depends heavily on your grip and shutter speed.

Neither camera offers manual exposure adjustment modes like shutter or aperture priority - something to factor in if creative control matters.

Video Capabilities: What Share-Worthy Clips Can You Capture?

Video isn’t the headline feature on either camera but worth considering nonetheless.

Both front HD video recording at 1280 x 720 resolution, with Canon outputting at 25 fps using the efficient H.264 codec - resulting in smoother, more space-efficient files.

Samsung also goes HD 720p but in Motion JPEG format, a larger file size with slightly more limited detail. The TL205 supports varied frame rates (30, 15 fps), which can be useful but generally feels less polished.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, thus audio options are restricted to built-in mics. Neither supports 4K or advanced stabilization during video.

If occasional family videos or social media clips are part of your plan, Canon edges ahead thanks to better codec and optical stabilization, resulting in less shaky, more pleasing footage.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Travel and Daily Use

The Canon ELPH 140 IS uses a proprietary NB-11L battery rated for around 230 shots per charge under CIPA testing, quite good for such a compact camera.

Samsung TL205’s battery life isn’t officially stated, but user experience reports suggest it’s weaker, often requiring frequent recharges on day-long shoots. It uses no specified battery model but likely proprietary rechargeable cells.

For storage, both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards, but Samsung adds MicroSD/MicroSDHC support. Both have one card slot - no dual slots here, which is typical at this price point.

If you travel a lot or rely on extended shooting periods, the Canon’s battery life holds solid. TL205 users might want to carry a spare battery or charger for day trips.

Durability and Build Quality: Will They Survive Your Adventures?

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, shock or freeze resistance, so don’t expect ruggedness.

Between the two, Canon’s build feels slightly more premium, with better button feedback and tighter assembly. Samsung’s TL205 feels a bit plasticky and less refined, which might matter if you’re rough on your gear.

So for professional or semi-pro work where reliability counts, neither is a top choice - but for casual daily carry, Canon nudges ahead in build quality.

Price and Value: Stretching Your Dollar

Both cameras target entry-level budgets. When released, Canon ELPH 140 IS retailed around $129, while Samsung TL205 listed closer to $180.

Given the six years gap in announcement, Canon offers newer technology and better specs at a lower price - compelling for budget-conscious buyers.

There are alternatives in this ultracompact class from Sony’s Cyber-shot line, Nikon Coolpix series, or Panasonic Lumix. Still, for basic travel, family, or casual photography, the ELPH 140 IS offers notable value.

Real-World Photography Results: Sample Images and Impressions

Enough specs - how do these cameras actually perform in the field?

Canon ELPH 140 IS front Canon ELPH 140 IS screen back Samsung TL205 front Samsung TL205 screen back

Here you see side-by-side samples showing detail, color, exposure, and noise levels. The Canon ELPH 140 IS captures punchier colors and slightly sharper detail, especially apparent in the foliage and brick textures. Samsung’s TL205 renders warmer tones, which some might prefer but edges towards less accurate white balance.

Low light shots reveal Canon’s more effective image stabilization and noise control, while Samsung’s noise is more intrusive. Macro shots from Canon showcase impressively close focus, though background blur remains shallow in both due to sensor constraints.

If you primarily shoot landscapes, portraits, or casual travel scenes, Canon consistently delivers more satisfying images.

Evaluating Performance: Scores and Metrics

While neither camera is benchmarked on DxOMark (no official testing), a holistic score based on specs and practical testing can be helpful.

Canon ELPH 140 IS ranks higher in image quality, autofocus, stabilization, and battery life, earning a respectable ‘Good’ rating for everyday photographers.

Samsung TL205 sits a notch below due to limited zoom, weaker battery, and lack of stabilization - suitable for casual users with less demanding needs.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Breaking down across popular photography types:

• Portraits: Canon’s face detection and wider zoom facilitate nicer framing and recognition; better skin tone rendition.
• Landscape: Canon’s higher resolution and dynamic range provide sharper, richer images.
• Wildlife: Neither ideal, but Canon’s longer zoom slightly helps.
• Sports: Both limited, but Canon’s continuous AF is helpful.
• Street: Both portable; Canon’s smaller size is a plus for discretion.
• Macro: Canon’s 1cm close focus crushes TL205.
• Night/Astro: Neither excels due to sensor size; Canon edges slightly with ISO handling.
• Video: Canon’s H.264 and OIS make for cleaner clips.
• Travel: Canon’s combo of size, zoom, stabilization, and battery make it the better all-rounder.
• Professional Work: Neither suited except casual snapshots.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Pick What?

Choose the Canon PowerShot ELPH 140 IS if you:

• Want a lightweight, pocket-friendly camera with versatile 8x zoom.
• Value optical image stabilization for sharper handheld shots.
• Enjoy macro and nature photography thanks to super close focusing.
• Desire easy yet reliable autofocus with face detection.
• Need decent battery life for day-long outings.
• Want better video quality with compression and stabilization.
• Are on a budget but want newer tech and dependable results.

Consider the Samsung TL205 if you:

• Prefer a slightly chunkier camera with some extra battery heft for hand stability.
• Value a modest 3x zoom for general snapshots.
• Want a few more flash modes, like red-eye reduction.
• Are OK with older sensor tech and lower resolution.
• Need HDMI output connectivity for direct video playback.
• Don’t mind the lack of stabilization or sacrificing low light performance.
• Will mostly shoot static scenes at good light and want basic operation.

Putting It All Together - Making Sense of the Ultracompact Landscape

To sum up, I enjoyed shooting with both cameras, appreciating their simplicity, but the Canon ELPH 140 IS wins for most practical uses in 2024. It delivers more flexibility, more thoughtful stabilization, and superior image quality in a lighter package - a rare feat for budget ultracompacts.

Samsung TL205, while respectable, feels more like a transitional model - a look back at the early 2010s compact technology that has since been eclipsed by better sensors, processors, and lens performance.

For any photography enthusiast wanting instant, lightweight fun with decent image quality upfront and no fuss, Canon’s ELPH 140 IS is the reliable pick. It’s like your capable, easy-going travel buddy who’s ready when you are.

If you’ve been chasing an ultracompact camera that punches above its size class, these insights should help clarify the picture. Remember, the best camera is the one you enjoy using and carry often - it’s a tool to capture your story, not just a spec sheet battle.

Happy shooting!