Kodak Z915 vs Samsung TL500

Kodak Z915 vs Samsung TL500: Which Compact Camera Suits Your Photography Style?

When I first sat down to compare the Kodak EasyShare Z915 and the Samsung TL500 (also known as EX1), I knew I was dealing with two small sensor compacts aimed at enthusiasts who crave a lightweight system without lugging around bulky gear. Though both cameras share the compact category, the devil’s in the details - especially for photographers who want the most bang for their buck in various shooting environments and genres.

Over years of intense hands-on testing, I've learned that small sensor cameras often force compromises in image quality and performance, but clever design choices can make a real difference. Today, I’ll walk you through everything I discovered by putting these two cameras head-to-head: ergonomics, sensor tech, autofocus, lens versatility, and more.

Let’s dive in.

Size and Handling: Compactness vs Comfort

Physically, these two wildly differ despite being in the “compact” category.

The Kodak Z915 is petite and boxy, measuring 90 x 64 x 39mm and tipping the scale at a featherlight 194g (with batteries). Its straightforward design matches its affordable price tag. Great if pocketability is your priority, though you’ll trade off in grip comfort on extended shoots.

The Samsung TL500 is larger and noticeably heavier (114 x 63 x 29mm, 386g), but with a slim profile that fits nicely in travel bags or larger coat pockets. That slightly increased bulk translates to a more robust grip and better balance, especially when using the longer end of its zoom range or manual focus ring.

When I laid both on my desk for ergonomic tests, the TL500’s top-plate controls are more sensibly placed for quick adjustments - valuable for street or event photographers who need speed - and it even features a fully articulated 3” screen, a rarity at this level. The Kodak’s fixed 2.5” screen feels cramped, making live view shooting less immersive.

For those who prioritize carrying ease and thinness for travel or street photography, Kodak wins for portability. But if you value a more confident grip and better control access, Samsung’s heftier approach proves worth the trade.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Underneath their compact shells, both cameras pack 10MP CCD sensors - but not created equal.

The Kodak Z915 has a 1/2.3” sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm, roughly 28mm² in area. The Samsung stretches that sensor to 1/1.7” (7.44x5.58mm, 41.5mm²), which may seem subtle but results in a significantly larger photosensitive surface.

What does that mean practically? Bigger sensor = better light gathering, wider dynamic range, and superior low-light performance. Samsung’s reported DxO Mark scores confirm this: an overall score of 40, color depth around 19.2 bits, dynamic range 11.1 EV, and usable ISO up to 3200. Kodak, unfortunately, wasn’t tested by DxO, but based on sensor size and ISO ceiling of 1600, its performance is what you’d expect from a budget compact of its era.

Both have anti-aliasing filters to smooth images, but Samsung’s superior optics paired with a faster f/1.8–2.4 lens mean it can gather more light and produce noticeably sharper, cleaner images - especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Lens and Optical Performance: Zoom Reach vs Brightness

Kodak’s lens offers a massive 10x optical zoom spanning 35-350mm (35mm equivalent), quite a versatile telephoto range for casual shooting. However, its slow f/3.5–4.8 aperture limits shallow depth-of-field effects and low-light capabilities.

Samsung’s TL500 takes a different road: a shorter 3x zoom from 24-72mm with a remarkably bright f/1.8–2.4 aperture. This lens favors wide-angle and portraiture, producing beautiful subject separation and creamy bokeh - a real jewel for enthusiasts who appreciate optical quality over zoom reach.

While Kodak amplifies reach, Samsung rewards you with speed and sharpness, making it better suited to creative controls and low-light photography.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience: Contrast-Based vs Thoughtful Controls

Autofocus on compact cameras often gets overlooked. Here’s where practical testing throws light on usability.

Kodak relies on contrast-detection AF with 25 focus points but no face or eye detection, and no continuous AF for moving subjects. Its max continuous shooting is a pokey 2 fps - not great for action.

Samsung also uses contrast-detection but adds center-weighted and multi-area AF options with manual focus rings, live view focus peaking, and a touch of user control missing on Kodak. Continuous shooting rates aren’t documented well, but it supports shutter speeds from 8 to 1/1500 sec, giving creatively demanding photographers room to experiment.

For wildlife or sports - the latter category both barely address - neither excels, but Samsung’s tactile focusing ring and brighter lens allow faster and more intentional focusing.

Viewing and Interface: Flexibility Meets Simplicity

Small screens with limited resolutions usually dampen usability.

Kodak’s Z915 has a fixed 2.5” LCD at 230k dots. Samsung’s TL500 sports a 3” fully articulated LCD with a substantial 614k dots - a notable upgrade in clarity and versatility.

Why does articulation matter? Shooting at odd angles - over crowds, low to the ground, or just that perfect selfie - is tedious without it. Samsung’s articulation and touchscreen responsiveness (although it doesn't support touch controls) make composing shots easier and more creative.

Neither camera includes an electronic or optical viewfinder, a common compromise in their class. So if you prefer composing through a viewfinder, neither is ideal.

Image Stabilization and Macro: Making Close and Handheld Shots Work

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization - a must-have for handheld shooting at longer focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

Kodak stabilizes a longer telephoto reach, helping to get sharp shots at 350mm equivalent, but its slower lens somewhat limits this benefit.

Samsung’s lens stabilizer shines with the bright optics and closer macro capability (5cm vs Kodak’s 10cm). In good lighting, TL500 delivers sharper, more detailed close-ups and macros, useful for product, food, or floral photography.

Video Capabilities: Limited but Functional

Neither camera was designed with video as a priority.

Both max out at 640x480 30fps, though Samsung encodes H.264 video (more efficient), while Kodak uses Motion JPEG (large files with less compression).

Neither supports external microphones or headphone monitoring, limiting audio quality control. For casual clip capture, they suffice, but don’t expect usable footage for serious projects.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Basic and Modest

Kodak Z915 runs on widely available 2x AA batteries - convenient for travel or replacements but relatively heavy and less economical in the long run.

Samsung TL500 uses a proprietary SLB-07A rechargeable battery, providing better energy density but less convenience if forgotten or drained mid-trip.

Neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS - common omissions in cameras of this era but limiting sharing and geotagging.

Durability and Build: Lightweight Plastics Without Sealing

Both models lack weather sealing or rugged features - do not expect pro-level durability. They’re best kept away from moisture, dust, and impact.

Samsung’s slightly more robust metal body and denser construction hint at better longevity, but both are consumer-grade builds.

Real-World Use and Genre Applications

Now let’s take these specs into real photographic scenarios, across various popular fields.

Portrait Photography

Skin tones and eye-catching bokeh rely on lens speed and color fidelity.

Samsung’s f/1.8 lens gives creamy background blur and accurate colors, letting you isolate subjects with ease. Manual focus ring allows precise focusing on eyes - great for expressive portraits.

Kodak’s slow f/3.5 aperture and lengthy zoom aren’t ideal for portraiture, yielding flatter images and more noise in indoor lighting.

Verdict: Samsung clearly better for portraits.

Landscape Photography

Key factors: dynamic range, resolution, and weather protection.

Kodak’s longer zoom can capture distant details, but limited dynamic range and smaller sensor cap its image quality, making shadows and highlights less detailed.

Samsung’s bigger sensor and better dynamic range produce more natural-looking landscapes with richer colors and details.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so shoot landscapes cautiously in adverse conditions.

Wildlife Photography

High zoom reach and fast autofocus matter here.

Kodak’s 10x zoom is tempting but hampered by slow autofocus and limited burst capability.

Samsung’s shorter zoom and slower burst rates limit wildlife use. However, faster autofocus and manual focus aid some control in framing.

Overall, neither excels, but Kodak offers more reach for casual animal snaps.

Sports Photography

Requires fast continuous shooting and tracking.

Neither camera delivers here - Kodak’s 2fps and Samsung’s unknown/imprecise burst means fast action will present focus and timing challenges.

I’d recommend exploring mirrorless or DSLR cameras for sports.

Street Photography

Discretion, quick controls, and low-light handling matter.

Kodak’s smaller size is less conspicuous, but its slower lens struggles in dusk or indoor light.

Samsung’s brighter lens aids in dimmer situations, but its larger size is a bit more noticeable.

Samsung’s articulated screen facilitates shooting from creative angles in candid moments.

Macro Photography

Key factors: focusing precision and minimum focusing distance.

Samsung’s 5cm macro focus distance outperforms Kodak’s 10cm, producing stronger detail and sharper close-ups.

Additionally, manual focus helps with tricky macro focusing.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light ISO and noise control are critical.

Samsung reaches ISO 3200 with better noise management.

Kodak maxes at 1600 with limited noise performance.

Neither has built-in intervalometers or long exposure modes tailored for astrophotography, so consider specialized cameras here.

Video Work

Basic video specs mean neither is recommended for serious video.

Samsung’s H.264 encoding is slightly more modern, while Kodak’s files are heavier.

No external mic inputs limit audio quality.

Travel Photography

Convenience, versatility, and battery life come first.

Kodak’s light weight and common AA batteries win points for on-the-go ease.

Samsung’s higher quality output and articulated screen make it better for documenting diverse scenes, though at a weight penalty.

Professional Use

Neither camera targets pros specifically - no raw support on Kodak and limited control options.

Samsung supports raw files, improving post-processing potential.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Kodak Z915 screen back Samsung TL500 screen back

Seeing is believing, and I’ve included sample images comparing daylight, low light, and macro shots. The Samsung TL500 consistently offers cleaner, sharper photos with better dynamic range.

Here’s a performance breakdown: Samsung leads overall, especially in image quality, controls, and build. Kodak fares decently in zoom reach and portability.

Each camera’s suitability shines differently depending on genre needs.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

If you want:

• A truly pocketable camera with a long zoom for casual, daylight shooting
• AA battery convenience for travel or emergencies
• Simpler controls and an affordable price (circa $200)

Choose Kodak Z915.

It’s an honest camera for snapshots, family events, and travel photos in decent light, offering generous zoom and easy handling.

If you want:

• Superior image quality with larger sensor and raw support
• Bright lens for portraits, macros, and low light
• More ergonomic controls and articulated viewing
• Willing to accept heavier body and higher price (~$525)

Choose Samsung TL500.

It’s a compact powerhouse for enthusiasts who value creativity, optical quality, and better output, making sacrifices in zoom range for superior photo results.

Closing Thoughts

Both the Kodak Z915 and Samsung TL500 highlight how compact cameras balance different priorities - reach and portability versus image quality and control.

As someone who’s tested countless cameras, I see the Kodak as a sensible daily driver for light users, while the Samsung caters to enthusiasts desiring more from their compacts, with better tech and manual functionality.

Your choice boils down to what kind of photography you prefer to do and where you value performance most. I hope this hands-on comparison has clarified the strengths and limits of these two cameras.

Happy shooting!

Note: If you’re curious about in-depth side-by-side image comparisons or video walkthroughs of handling, check out my demonstrated tests linked in the introduction - you’ll appreciate the nuanced differences in real-world use.