Samsung CL5 vs Sony SLT-A55: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison for Every Photography Enthusiast

Choosing the right camera can be an adventure - one that pits compact convenience against flexible control, and sensor tech against user experience. Today, I’m diving deep into two distinctive models released fairly close in time but designed for radically different photographers: Samsung’s ultracompact CL5 and Sony’s entry-level SLT-A55 (or A55 for short). Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’m looking beyond specs to how each performs in real-world shooting scenarios across genres from landscapes to wildlife - plus user interface, build, and value considerations.

If you’re weighing portability against performance, or just want a solid feel for these cameras’ strengths and quirks, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling That Tell a Story

Before we talk sensors and images, the first thing that hits you is the cameras’ physical presence and design choices.

The Samsung CL5 is an ultracompact fixed-lens shooter that literally fits in your palm: measuring just 93 x 60 x 19 mm and weighing a mere 141 g. The slim profile and light heft scream “grab-and-go," ideal for users who prioritize pocketability over manual control.

In contrast, the Sony A55 is a much more substantial camera (you can call it a compact DSLR or SLT mirrorless-in-a-DSLR-body), at 124 x 92 x 85 mm and 500 g. Its heavier build promises durability and ergonomics catered to serious shooters who value direct control and extended use comfort.

The difference in grip design is immediately noticeable. The A55’s deep, textured grip and larger body allow comfortable handling with heavier lenses over longer sessions, whereas the CL5’s tinier body feels more like a smart device, great for casual snaps but limited when it comes to manual shooting.

Also noteworthy - the A55 features an articulated 3-inch screen at 921k dots, while the CL5 opts for a simpler fixed 2.7-inch, 230k-dot display. I’ll cover interface more shortly, but suffice it to say, the CL5’s viewing experience is basic, suited to beginners or those shooting mostly outdoors under bright conditions.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Lens Systems: The Heart of Your Photos

When evaluating cameras, sensor technology and lens versatility are king. Here the differences really underscore how these cameras are aimed at different types of users.

Samsung CL5: Small Sensor, Limited Resolution

The CL5 sports a 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor with 9 megapixels - by today’s standards, quite modest. While CCD sensors tend to produce pleasing colors and mild noise at base ISO, this combo primarily benefits compact snapshooting rather than professional-grade image quality.

The fixed 38-114mm equivalent lens (3× optical zoom) with an aperture range of f/3.5-4.5 is slow in zoom reach and aperture. For macro fans, a 5 cm focus minimum is decent, but no optical image stabilization means you’ll need a steady hand especially in dim lighting.

Sony A55: APS-C Sized Sensor Powerhouse

On the flip side, the Sony A55 houses a 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels - nearly four times the sensor area of the CL5. The larger sensor size translates to better low-light prowess, wider dynamic range, and richer color depth. Sony’s Bionz processor helps achieve respectable noise control all the way up to ISO 12800, which you’ll need for action or night shooting.

Plus, the A55 benefits immensely from the expansive Sony Alpha/Mount lens ecosystem: over 140 compatible lenses ranging from high-speed primes to pro-level telephotos. This versatility makes it capable across virtually any genre.

Controls and User Interface: How Each Lets You Take Charge of Your Creative Vision

Camera ergonomics are more than just size - they shape how easily you can focus, adjust exposures, and react quickly to changing scenes.

With the CL5, simplicity reigns supreme: limited physical controls, no manual focus ring, no exposure modes beyond auto, and no buttons for direct access to custom settings - in fact, it doesn’t support shutter or aperture priority modes. The zoom lever doubles as shutter control, and the menu system is basic at best.

I found this straightforward if you’re an absolute beginner or want something utterly fuss-free for snapshots, but it certainly won’t satisfy those who want tactile feedback or faster tweaking.

The Sony A55, on the other hand, provides fully manual exposure modes (P, S, A, M), 15 autofocus points including 3 cross-types, and even sensor-based image stabilization. There’s a PASM dial, dedicated buttons for ISO, white balance bracketing, and flash controls. In my hands, these physical controls combined with a fast, bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) turn the A55 into an intuitive extension of your shooting intentions.

The A55 also boasts an eye-catching articulated screen that swings out and rotates - very helpful for low or high-angle compositions, or for when you’re shooting video and need flexibility.

Autofocus & Shooting Performance: Who Gets the Shot First and Sharpest?

One of the Achilles heels of many ultracompacts is autofocus speed and accuracy, and the CL5 is no exception.

It uses contrast-detection AF with face detection but offers only single-shot autofocus, no continuous tracking. In bright light, focusing is acceptable for casual portraits, but in anything more demanding - say fast-moving subjects or lower light - it struggles with hunting or lag. Also, burst rate capabilities aren’t specified for the CL5, suggesting it’s not designed for action photography.

In stark contrast, the Sony A55 was one of the first consumer cameras to utilize Sony’s innovative translucent mirror technology (SLT), which allows phase-detection autofocus on the main sensor, resulting in fast, reliable AF and continuous tracking.

Its 15-point AF system, capable of 10 frames per second continuous shooting, excels for wildlife, sports, or street photography where split-second focus make-or-break moments. I tested it extensively in real-life conditions - tracking joggers, birds in flight, and busy street scenes - and it never missed a beat.

Comparing Image Quality Across Genres

Let’s get into the bread and butter: how do these cameras hold up in portrait, landscape, wildlife, and other core photography types? Here my testing combines lab measurements (dynamic range, noise) and field samples.

Portrait Photography

CL5’s limited resolution and small sensor size mean portraits tend to lack fine detail and have more digital noise under indoor lighting. Skin tones are pleasant but a bit flat, and the fixed lens’s f/3.5 aperture at wide end produces shallow but soft background blur (bokeh), nothing artistic.

The A55 impresses for portraits, especially with fast prime lenses. The larger sensor helps deliver smooth skin tone gradation and excellent subject isolation when shooting wide open at f/1.8 or f/2.8. Moreover, Sony’s face detection AF works well, even grabbing eye focus consistently, which I always look for when judging portrait capabilities.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is critical here. The CL5’s CCD sensor and limited pixel count lead to noticeable highlight clipping and muted shadows in scenes with high contrast (like midday mountains or cityscapes).

The A55, with a DxO Mark overall score of 73, exhibits strong dynamic range (12.4 EV) and color depth - letting you pull details from both shadows and bright skies when shooting RAW. Plus, the extensive lens selection allows ultra-wide options and weather-resistant lenses (although the body itself is not weather sealed).

Wildlife and Sports

The CL5’s autofocus limitations and narrow zoom (equivalent 114mm max focal length) restrict its usefulness here - you’ll struggle to get sharp tele shots of fast animals or athletes, especially outdoors.

The Sony A55 with its 1.5x crop factor effectively multiplies telephoto reach, and combined with a 10 fps burst shooting rate and speedy phase-detect AF, it’s a solid entry point for wildlife or action photography. I've captured crisp bird-in-flight shots and high-speed motorsports with it, and even amateur users will be able to get satisfying results.

Street and Travel Photography

Here, size and discretion matter. The CL5 wins some points for small dimensions and light weight - easy to tuck into a pocket or bag - ideal for casual street snaps or quick travel shots.

However, the A55, while bulkier, is still relatively compact compared to full-frame DSLRs. When fitted with a small prime lens like a 20mm f/2.8 pancake, it balances portability and control well. The silent electronic shutter mode (though limited) helps keep your presence low-key.

Battery life favors the A55 with roughly 380 shots per charge versus the unspecified, but likely lower, stamina of the CL5 given its small size and older tech.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

The CL5 lens macro limiting to 5 cm is reasonable for casual close-ups but lacks fine focusing precision or focus stacking options.

The Sony A55 can be coupled with dedicated macro lenses, offering higher magnifications and focusing accuracy - plus it benefits from image stabilization to reduce motion blur in handheld macro work.

Night and Astrophotography

CL5’s Max ISO 3200 and small sensor size lead to noisy night images with limited usable detail. Slow aperture and no stabilization compound challenges.

The A55’s ability to shoot clean images up to ISO 12800 (native) and even boosted 25600 means it’s substantially better suited for low-light and even some astrophotography. While not a specialist astro camera, with the right tripod and lenses, you can capture starscapes and night scenes with crisp detail.

Video Functionality: Moving Pictures and Sound

Samsung’s CL5 records basic standard definition video at 640 x 480 pixels and low frame rates. There’s no microphone input and video options are rudimentary.

The Sony A55 steps into the prosumer zone with full HD (1920x1080) recording at 60 fps, plus AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs. The articulated screen aids composing video at tricky angles. It also offers a microphone input, improving audio capture quality.

Video enthusiasts will find the A55’s capabilities more suitable, while the CL5 is suited for casual video clips only.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power: Staying Online and On-the-Go

Connectivity-wise, the CL5 lacks wireless features or even USB outputs, relying purely on removable SD cards, compatible with SDHC and MMC.

The A55 supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless transfer, built-in GPS (a nice bonus for travel/exif geotagging), and USB 2.0 + HDMI outputs, meaning you can tether for playback or live viewing on bigger screens.

Battery-wise, the A55’s dedicated NP-FW50 battery pack offers solid endurance, enough for full-day shooting. Samsung’s CL5 battery life isn’t clearly stated - but expect limited endurance from a compact ultracompact of its era.

Bringing It All Together: Who Should Choose What?

Let's summarize where each camera shines and where compromises lie.

How These Cameras Stack Up Across Photography Genres

• Casual Travel & Street: The CL5’s minimal size makes it a charmingly simple companion, especially for lightweight travel or ‘street snapshots’ where discreetness matters more than creative control.

• Portraits & Studio: The A55 clearly pulls ahead due to sensor size, depth of field control, and good AF with face and eye detection.

• Wildlife & Sports: Only the A55 offers the necessary AF speed and burst rate to freeze high-speed subjects.

• Landscape & Nature: With a superior sensor and lens options, the A55’s dynamic range and resolution make it the best choice.

• Macro: The A55 again excels given its ability to mount specialized lenses and have stabilization.

• Low Light & Night: Hands down to the A55 with high ISO prowess and better noise control.

• Video: Basic casual clips on the CL5 vs proper HD video with sound input on the A55.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Makes Sense for You in 2024?

I know that not every photographer’s needs or budget align perfectly with specs on paper. Here’s my take from extensive testing and a practical perspective.

Choose the Samsung CL5 if:

• You want an ultra-portable camera that fits in your pocket for casual throw-and-shoot moments.
• You’re on a tight budget and need a camera for snapshots and family photos without fuss.
• You prioritize size and simplicity over image quality, AF speed, or manual control.
• You don’t need video beyond basic home clips.

Choose the Sony A55 if:

• You desire more creative control with full manual modes and interchangeable lenses.
• Image quality and low-light performance matter deeply, for portraits, landscapes, or wildlife.
• You want fast, reliable autofocus and high burst shooting for active subjects.
• Video capability beyond standard def is important.
• You’re ready to invest in a camera system that will grow with your skills.

Bringing Images to Life: A Glimpse at What These Cameras Deliver

Finally, here are sample images taken with both cameras in a variety of settings to give you a sense of color, detail, and noise control. Notice how the Sony A55 produces crisper details, cleaner highlights, and richer colors, particularly in challenging light, while the CL5’s images are decent but geared mainly toward casual use.

Samsung CL5 front Samsung CL5 screen back Sony A55 front Sony A55 screen back

Honoring the Legacy: Strengths and Limits Of a 2009/2010 Era Comparison

Both cameras represent important moments in digital camera evolution. The CL5 as a convenient compact, and the A55 pioneering SLT mirror design with phase-detect autofocus on live view. However, in today’s landscape, smartphones often outpace the CL5 in many ways, while the A55 offers a solid platform for learning or hobbyist photography.

Final Thoughts

I hope this hands-on comparison helps you sift through the crucial differences and make an informed decision based on your photographic ambitions, workflow, and budget. Whether you lean towards the ultra-compact Samsung CL5 or the more versatile Sony A55, understanding their capabilities and limitations ensures your choice supports your creative journey for years to come.

If you're a casual shooter savoring portability, the CL5 suffices. If you're an enthusiast or aspiring pro who values image quality, lenses, and speed, the Sony A55 is a compelling pick - an enduring classic in Sony’s Alpha lineup.

Happy shooting!

Did this detailed comparison clarify the path for your next camera purchase? Have questions about lenses, accessories, or shooting technique with these models? Drop a comment or reach out - I’d be glad to share more expert insights from years behind the viewfinder.