Canon ELPH 350 HS vs Sony TX5: The Ultimate Ultracompact Camera Showdown

When it comes to ultracompact cameras, you want something pocket-friendly that can deliver reliable image quality, versatility for a range of shooting scenarios, and intuitive controls for quick capture moments. Both the Canon PowerShot ELPH 350 HS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 stand as solid contenders for enthusiasts and casual photographers alike. But which one fits your photography style and needs?

Having extensively tested thousands of cameras firsthand, we’re diving deep into these two models - released five years apart yet still relevant in their own right - to uncover how they compare across key photography disciplines, technical performance, ergonomics, and value. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which ultracompact works best for your creative journey.

At a Glance: Canon ELPH 350 HS vs Sony TX5

Design and Ergonomics: Pocketability Meets Practical Use

Let’s start with how these cameras feel in your hand and pocket, which is critical for ultracompact cameras you intend to carry everywhere.

• Canon ELPH 350 HS: Measuring 100x58x23mm with 147g weight, it’s slightly bulkier but still slips easily into a jacket or pants pocket. The traditional rectangular shape gives it a balanced feel. Controls are straightforward but somewhat minimal - suited to users more focused on point-and-shoot simplicity.

• Sony TX5: The Sony takes an ultracompact approach at 94x57x18mm, shaving about 5mm in thickness and weighing almost the same as the Canon. Its rugged design includes weather sealing, which is impressive for this size class and gives you peace of mind shooting in more adventurous situations.

The TX5 edges out if you need a camera ready for rougher environments without sacrificing pocketability, while the ELPH 350 HS prioritizes a clean, compact form with a larger zoom range.

Handling and User Interface: Simplicity vs Control

Both models offer fixed lens ultracompact ease, but their handling experiences diverge:

• Canon ELPH 350 HS:

  • Features physical buttons with reasonable spacing, though smaller than enthusiast cameras.
  • The absence of manual focus is a limitation for those who like creative control.
  • No touchscreen - but a responsive menu system and quick access buttons cover most essentials.
  • Face detection autofocus helps prioritize subjects easily.

• Sony TX5:

  • Sports a touchscreen interface, which feels modern and intuitive for menu navigation and focus selection.
  • Offers manual focus control, beneficial for macro shooters or artistic shots.
  • Limited physical buttons reflect its compact, sleek design, suited for users comfortable with touch operation.
  • Autofocus uses contrast detection and is augmented by touch AF for flexibility.

For ease of use, especially if you want quick manual overrides and a tactile experience, Canon wins in physical control, but for a more modern UI with touch-driven focus, Sony’s touchscreen offers a distinct advantage.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Good image quality often hinges on sensor size, resolution, and processing technology:

• Canon ELPH 350 HS:

  • Sports a larger 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor with 20 megapixels, allowing for higher resolution images at up to 5184x3888 pixels.
  • DIGIC 4+ processor works well to reduce noise and provide good color reproduction.
  • ISO ranges from 80 to 3200, enabling some versatility in low light.
  • No RAW support limits your post-processing flexibility.
  • Built-in noise reduction tends to smooth images at higher ISO.

• Sony TX5:

  • Features a slightly smaller 1/2.4” BSI-CMOS sensor with 10 megapixels, resulting in lower resolution 3648x2736 images.
  • Uses the Bionz processor optimized for its sensor size.
  • ISO range starts at 125, max 3200, but noise control is less aggressive than Canon.
  • Also no RAW support.
  • Image quality is strong for daylight and well-lit scenes but struggles in shadow details.

Real-World Image Performance

In our testing, Canon’s higher resolution sensor renders finer detail and better dynamic range in landscapes and portraits. Skin tone reproduction is pleasing and natural, enhanced by the DIGIC processor’s color science. However, the small sensor size still imposes limits compared to larger-sensor cameras.

Sony’s sensor, while lower in resolution, produces clean images with slightly better contrast in good lighting but loses sharpness quickly when cropping or enlarging prints. The color accuracy is decent but can appear cooler relative to Canon’s warmer tones.

For important portraits or landscapes with a need for detail and flexible cropping, Canon gives you an edge. Sony handles casual snaps and snapshots with decent clarity but falls short when you want to push image quality.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility Meets Reach

Lens specs and quality are critical - especially in cameras with fixed optics:

Canon’s 12x zoom is a significant strength - 300mm equivalent lets you capture distant subjects, whether on vacation or wildlife watching, without changing lenses. The aperture narrows at telephoto, limiting low-light reach, but the extended zoom versatility wins points.

Sony’s 4x zoom range is less flexible, but its macro focusing capability at 1 cm lets you get impressively close for interesting detail shots. The waterproof, rugged design encourages more hands-on, near-water or dusty macro photography.

For wildlife and travel zoom needs, Canon’s ELPH 350 HS holds the advantage. For macro and adventure shooting, Sony’s design and focusing edge out slightly.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Precision and Responsiveness

You want your camera to keep up with your subject, especially if shooting moving or candid scenes:

• Canon ELPH 350 HS:

  • 9 AF points with contrast detection autofocus.
  • Face detection autofocus helps prioritize human subjects.
  • Continuous shooting speed maxes out at 2.5fps - not fast for action but sufficient for casual use.
  • No AF tracking or eye detection features.

• Sony TX5:

  • Also uses contrast detection with 9 AF points.
  • No face or eye detection AF.
  • Continuous shooting speed is much faster at 10fps but only in single-shot AF mode.
  • Manual focus support is useful when AF struggles in low contrast or macro scenarios.

In practice, Canon’s face detection improves portrait snapping, while Sony’s burst rate caters better to fast-moving subjects in daylight, though autofocus tracking is limited on both.

If your priorities include candid portraits or sporadic action, Canon’s AF contributes to ease of use. For fast bursts and playful street scenarios, Sony fares better.

Low-Light Performance and Stabilization: Shooting After Dark

Low light shooting challenges ultracompacts given sensor size and aperture constraints. Optical image stabilization becomes vital to control camera shake.

• Both cameras feature optical image stabilization, reducing blur when shooting handheld.
• Canon can go down to ISO 80 and up to 3200; Sony starts at ISO 125 up to 3200.
• Canon's DIGIC 4+ processor and larger sensor generally produce cleaner images at higher ISO.
• Sony's image noise is more visible past ISO 800, limiting night photography usability.
• Neither camera has built-in ND filters or advanced night modes to extend exposure creatively.

For casual nightscapes or indoor portraits, Canon’s better high ISO performance and longer zoom lens help deliver usable results. Sony is more limited here but benefits from the rugged, weather-sealed body for outdoor night adventures - just keep expectations modest.

Video Capabilities: Capturing Moving Moments

Video capture is increasingly important for content creators and family documentation:

Canon delivers 1080p video, which remains a valuable feature, especially with effective optical stabilization. The Sony tops out at 720p, which nowadays is less ideal for high-quality playback on modern screens.

Neither camera supports external microphones or headphone monitoring, which limits professional video use. Both are better for casual family videos or simple vlogging but remember that ultracompacts in this class won’t match mirrorless or dedicated camcorders.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Protecting Your Investment

• Sony TX5 shines with comprehensive weather sealing:

  • Waterproof up to 10m depth,
  • Dustproof and shockproof (up to 1.5m drops),
  • Freezeproof down to -10°C. This makes TX5 ideal if you want a camera for adventurous travels, hiking, beaches, or poolside action without worrying about damage.

• Canon ELPH 350 HS lacks weather sealing and rugged credentials, so it requires more cautious handling.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Usage Aspects

• Canon ELPH 350 HS: Rated for approximately 250 shots per charge using NB-11LH battery pack. Storage via SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
• Sony TX5: Official battery life not specified but uses NP-BN1 battery. Supports SD cards and Memory Stick formats, plus some internal memory.

In real-world use, Canon’s battery life is adequate for day trips but carry a spare for longer outings. Sony’s smaller battery can be limiting, especially when using the touchscreen regularly or burst mode shooting.

Sample Images and Outcomes: What To Expect

Canon ELPH 350 HS front Canon ELPH 350 HS screen back Sony TX5 screen back

• Canon images exhibit finer detail and vibrant yet natural colors.
• Sony’s shots show good color saturation but with less resolution and detail in shadows.
• Both cameras produce acceptable output for social media and small prints.

Performance Scores and Verdicts

In a broad sense:

• Canon ELPH 350 HS scores higher in image quality, zoom, and video.
• Sony TX5 scores well for ruggedness, burst shooting, and touchscreen usability.
• Neither excels in professional workflows needing RAW, wide dynamic range, or advanced autofocus.

How These Cameras Fit Different Photography Styles

Portrait Photography

• Canon’s face detection AF and higher resolution sensor make for more flattering skin tones and detailed portraits.
• Limited aperture range means less creamy bokeh.
• Sony offers manual focusing, useful for precise focus, but no advanced eye AF.

Recommendation: Canon if portraits are a priority, especially casual or travel portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Canon’s higher resolution sensor and extended zoom aid capturing scenic vistas.
• Sony’s weather sealing is a benefit outdoors, but lower resolution reduces cropping flexibility.
• Both struggle with wider apertures and dynamic range compared to larger-sensor cameras.

Recommendation: Canon for image quality; Sony if you prioritize ruggedness and unpredictable weather.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon’s 12x zoom is valuable for distant subjects.
• Burst rate and AF speed on both are modest; neither is designed for serious wildlife.
• Sony’s higher burst rate is handicapped by limited zoom reach.

Recommendation: Canon for zoom reach; neither camera for serious wildlife shooting.

Sports Photography

• Both cameras have limited continuous shooting and no advanced AF tracking, so fast sports are a challenge.
• Sony’s 10fps burst can capture some moments but only with static AF.
• Canon’s slower speed is better supported by face detection for portraits.

Recommendation: Neither optimal; Sony better for occasional fast burst shots.

Street Photography

• Both ultracompacts are discreet.
• Sony’s ruggedness and waterproofing help in diverse street conditions.
• Canon’s zoom lets you shoot from a distance without disturbing the scene.

Recommendation: Sony for rugged street use, Canon for telephoto shots.

Macro Photography

• Both focus down to 1 cm.
• Sony’s manual focus and touchscreen enhance precise macro framing.
• Optical stabilization helps hand-held shooting.

Recommendation: Sony slightly ahead for macro detail and control.

Night/Astro Photography

• Canon’s lower ISO and better high-ISO noise control make it more capable.
• Neither camera is optimized for long exposures or astrophotography.

Recommendation: Canon for casual night shots; serious astronomers need dedicated gear.

Video

• Canon records Full HD videos with optical stabilization.
• Sony at HD 720p limits quality.
• Neither supports microphone input.

Recommendation: Canon for casual video quality.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s ruggedness offers peace of mind.
• Canon offers more versatility with zoom and video.
• Both fit in your pocket easily.

Recommendation: Sony for active travel; Canon for versatile travel documentation.

Professional Usage

• Neither supports RAW or offers broad manual exposure control.
• Limited for commercial or pro work apart from casual reference shots.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras excel as compact companions but prioritize different aspects:

Checking Out Accessories and Further Exploration

If you decide on either camera:

• Check for compatible SD cards (Class 10 or UHS for video).
• Invest in extra battery packs for longer shoots.
• For Canon, a lightweight tripod supports zoomed-in shots.
• Sony users should explore waterproof cases and clean lenses regularly.

Wrapping Up

Choosing between the Canon ELPH 350 HS and Sony TX5 comes down to your shooting style. Canon delivers superior image quality, zoom range, and video capability for those who prioritize straightforward quality and flexibility. Sony offers a durable, adventure-ready ultracompact with touchscreen controls and great burst speed for more dynamic shooting environments.

We encourage you to try both in hands-on demos if possible. Feel their ergonomics, test the menus, and preview images at your preferred settings. That experience, combined with our detailed breakdown, will empower you to confidently select the ultracompact that best serves your photographic inspirations and goals.

Happy shooting!

Canon ELPH 350 HS front Canon ELPH 350 HS screen back Sony TX5 screen back