Samsung CL80 vs Sony RX100 VI: A Thorough Comparative Review for Discerning Photographers

Choosing the right compact camera can feel like navigating a maze, especially when the market offers devices with vastly different designs, feature sets, and price points. Today, I dive deep into a head-to-head comparison between two very distinct compact cameras from two different eras and philosophies: the 2010 vintage Samsung CL80 and the powerhouse Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI launched in 2018. These cameras may both sport a fixed lens and compact bodies, but that’s where much of their similarity ends.

Having spent the last 15 years hands-on with cameras spanning ultracompacts to pro-level mirrorless, I tested these two models extensively to draw out their nuanced differences - beyond spec sheets. Let’s talk through their build, imaging prowess, autofocus, and usability, anchored in practical photography scenarios from portraits to wildlife.

Size, Handling, & Ergonomics: Pocketable vs. Precision

The Samsung CL80 embodies the ultracompact ethos of the early 2010s - small, light, and simple. Its dimensions of 104 x 58 x 20 mm and weight scaling to just 160 grams make it easy to slip into any pocket or purse without feeling like you’re carrying extra baggage. In contrast, the Sony RX100 VI chooses to prioritize control and performance, landing as a larger compact at 102 x 58 x 43 mm and weighing almost twice as much at 301 grams. The clamshell-style zoom lens mechanism and more robust internal components explain the bulk.

Handling has evolved substantially between these models. The CL80’s fixed, modest grip and minimal tactile buttons cater to unimaginative casual shooters, while the RX100 VI offers a much more sophisticated layout with plentiful buttons, dials, and a nuanced grip - catering to photographers who demand precise physical control without lugging around a DSLR. The top-panel comparison clearly reveals this:

The RX100 VI’s clickable control dial, customizable buttons, and tiltable touchscreen target seasoned shooters or enthusiasts willing to master a dense control scheme. Meanwhile, the CL80’s simple touchscreen interface is designed for point-and-shoot ease rather than creative control.

Ergonomics verdict: For travelers and casual photographers who prize ultralight gear, the CL80 shines. For professionals and enthusiasts seeking refined handling and physical controls, the RX100 VI is in a different league.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

When it comes to image quality, sensor size and technology are king. The Samsung CL80 uses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17x4.55 mm) with a resolution of 14MP, typical for compact cameras of its era but limited in dynamic range, noise performance, and color depth. The Sony RX100 VI, conversely, is equipped with a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2x8.8 mm) delivering 20MP resolution, with improved sensitivity, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities - features we'd expect from Sony’s advanced sensor tech.

From test captures under varied conditions, the RX100 VI consistently outperforms the CL80 in retaining shadow detail, controlling noise at ISO 6400 and above, and rendering more natural, richer colors - especially in skin tones for portraits. For landscape shooters craving nuanced tonal gradation, the RX100’s sensor handles high-contrast scenes with greater subtlety, preserving details in bright skies without losing ground in darker foliage.

The CL80’s smaller sensor particularly struggles beyond ISO 400, with noise and artifacting becoming distracting. Its CCD also imparts a slightly different color signature that can appear flatter or less vibrant. If you plan to print large or crop heavily, the RX100 VI’s 20MP sensor holds significant advantages.

Autofocus Systems & Imaging Performance: From Single Shots to Action

Autofocus (AF) technology reflects the era and intended user. The CL80 sticks with a single-area contrast detection AF with no face or eye-detection. It suffices for well-lit, static scenes like family snapshots but falters when tracking movement or in low light.

Contrast this with Sony’s RX100 VI, which boasts a hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast detection, with an impressive 315 AF points. It features advanced eye and face detection and supports continuous autofocus tracking up to 24 fps burst shooting. This makes a huge difference for moving subjects in sports or wildlife photography.

Hands-on field tests during a local soccer match underscored this gap: the RX100 VI locked focus quickly and tracked players smoothly across the frame, retaining sharpness consistently. The CL80, meanwhile, struggled to focus on fast-moving athletes, often lagging or locking on background elements.

Display & Interface: Touch & Visual Feedback

Rear LCD screens are critical for composing, reviewing images, and navigating menus. The CL80 includes a 3.7-inch fixed touchscreen with basic responsiveness and low resolution (230k dots). While usable for framing in daylight, it does not offer tilting for challenging angles and feels dated by today’s standards.

The RX100 VI, meanwhile, boasts a wealthier 3-inch tilting touchscreen, with a sharp 1,229k dot resolution, allowing crisp image review and tactile AF point selection. It tilts upward for selfies or downward for waist-level shooting - versatility welcomed by street and travel photographers.

This elevates shooting comfort and workflow efficiency in tricky light or compositions.

Lens and Zoom: Focal Ranges that Define Use Cases

The CL80 offers a 31-217mm equivalent zoom (7x) with an aperture range of f/3.3 to f/5.5. Its telephoto reach is generous but relatively slow aperture hinders low-light performance and depth of field control.

The RX100 VI ups the ante with a 24-200mm equivalent zoom (8.3x) at a faster variable aperture of f/2.8 to f/4.5. The wider 24mm front-end enhances versatility, enabling expansive landscapes and environmental portraits, while the bright aperture lets more light in - critical for indoor or evening scenes.

For macro shooters, the CL80 focuses as close as 5 cm; the RX100 VI focuses at roughly 8 cm - close enough for effective close-ups. However, the RX100 VI’s superior stabilization and autofocus precision make close focusing noticeably faster and more reliable.

Stabilization and Shutter Speed: Freeze the Moment

The CL80 features basic optical image stabilization, essential given its slower lenses and small sensor. Shutter speeds range from 8 sec to 1/1500 sec, sufficient for daylight or casual photography but limiting for very fast action or long exposure photography.

The RX100 VI also has optical stabilization, bolstered by newer algorithms and a broader shutter speed envelope up to 1/32000 sec electronic shutter mode, enabling shoot-through-glass or ultra-fast action capture.

Battery Life & Storage: Shooting Day or Night?

Unfortunately, the CL80’s battery info is sparse in official specs, typical for early ultracompacts. It uses the SLB-11A battery, which generally provides modest shooting endurance - expect around 200-250 shots per charge based on similar Samsung compacts.

Sony RX100 VI features a more powerful NP-BX1 battery, rated for approximately 240 shots per charge, though real-world usage drops this when engaging continuous AF or Wi-Fi. Both require microSD or SD cards respectively, but the RX100 VI accepts UHS-I cards supporting faster writes, beneficial for burst shooting and 4K video storage.

Connectivity & Video: From Still to Moving Imagery

Samsung CL80 offers scarce connectivity - USB 2.0 with HDMI out and no wireless features to speak of. Video resolves up to 1280x720 at 30 fps in basic Motion JPEG format - adequate for small screen social sharing but unsuited to modern demands.

On the flip side, the RX100 VI stands strong with 4K video at 30p, 100 Mbps bitrate, outputting high-quality footage in efficient formats like XAVC S and AVCHD. It supports clean HDMI output and touchscreen controls in video mode, but lacks microphone or headphone jacks - an omission pros will notice.

Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, enabling remote control and instant sharing - critical for today’s on-the-go content creators.

Suitability Across Photography Genres: Who Benefits Most?

Analyzing these two cameras across disciplines paints a telling picture.

Portrait Photography

The RX100 VI’s larger sensor, eye AF, and faster lens deliver smooth skin tones, beautiful background blur, and accurate focus on eyes - even with moving subjects. The CL80’s smaller sensor and lack of face/eye detection make it a less reliable choice, suitable only for posed, still shots in good light.

Landscape Photography

Again, RX100 VI’s wider zoom base, improved dynamic range, and better resolution give it the edge here. Weather sealing is absent in both, ruling out tough outdoor incursions without care.

Wildlife & Sports

The CL80 is outmatched by the RX100 VI’s high frame rate burst (up to 24 fps), advanced AF system, and far longer effective telephoto range (given sensor crop multiplier). The RX100 VI significantly increases keeper rates in fast action scenarios.

Street & Travel Photography

CL80’s scant bulk and simplicity appeal in urban environments where discretion is prized. However, the RX100 VI is small enough to be pocketable for many and offers superior low-light performance and creative flexibility, justifying the larger size and price.

Macro Photography

Both cameras deliver reasonable macro capabilities. The RX100 VI’s stabilization and manual focus help create sharper images at close range with improved consistency.

Night & Astrophotography

Limited by their sensors and lack of advanced long exposure support, neither camera excels here. The RX100 VI allows longer shutter duration and better high ISO endurance but dedicated astro cameras or mirrorless bodies outperform both.

Video

Samsung CL80 is a basic video tool; the RX100 VI enters semi-pro territory with 4K and advanced codecs - serving vloggers or multimedia photographers better.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Durability in the Field

Neither camera offers weather sealing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. The RX100 VI’s sturdy magnesium alloy body feels more durable relative to the simple plastic shell of the CL80. For serious travel or adverse conditions, neither is ideal without protective housings.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both are fixed-lens cameras, so lens choice is fixed at purchase. The Samsung’s lens multiplier is heavier - 5.8x compared to Sony’s 2.7x. The RX100 VI’s more versatile zoom range and wider aperture tilt the balance heavily in its favor.

Price-to-Performance Assessment: Value Matters

At launch, the CL80 sold for roughly $399, aiming at casual shoppers wanting a simple, affordable compact camera. The RX100 VI commanded a premium $1198, firmly targeting enthusiast and professional users needing serious performance in a pocket-sized package.

If budget constrains you, the CL80 remains an adequate backup or vacation camera but shows its age in image quality, speed, and features. The RX100 VI, for all its cost, offers longevity, versatility, and consistent quality - aspects worth the investment for serious users.

Sample Image Comparison: Real-World Proof

Looking at sample galleries reveals the story far clearer than numbers alone. The RX100 VI produces images with richer colors, better detail retention, and superior tonal graduation. The Samsung images appear softer, noisier at higher ISOs, and less dynamic.

Samsung CL80 front Samsung CL80 screen back Sony RX100 VI front

Overall Scores & Genre Strengths

An aggregate performance scoring across key categories squares the comparison:

And a breakdown of strengths per photographic genre highlights winners per use case:

Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Samsung CL80 if:

• You want an affordable, lightweight camera for casual snapshots.
• Portability and simplicity trump image quality or controls.
• You shoot mainly outdoors in bright light and share small web images.
• Video is a secondary concern and 720p resolution suffices.
• Budget constraints disallow investment in advanced compacts.

Choose the Sony RX100 VI if:

• You seek a powerful all-rounder capable of competing with entry-level DSLRs.
• Low light and dynamic range performance are paramount.
• You shoot fast-moving subjects or need accurate continuous autofocus.
• 4K video, wireless connectivity, and advanced manual controls are essential.
• You require a compact yet professional-grade camera for travel, street, or reportage.

Final Thoughts From the Field

Testing the Samsung CL80 reminds us how far compact cameras have come in just under a decade. As an ultracompact, it is an unambitious but straightforward shooter - easy to use but limited by its sensor and interface.

The Sony RX100 VI is a masterclass in packing pro-caliber tech into a pocketable frame. Its advanced sensor, swift autofocus, and wide zoom range unlock creative possibilities unavailable in simpler cameras. That said, it demands a photographer willing to learn its systems and justify the investment.

For photography enthusiasts prioritizing image quality, speed, and versatility, the RX100 VI is an unqualified recommendation. For those prioritizing convenience, low cost, and barebones operation, the CL80 remains a serviceable if aging companion.

In the end, the choice reflects your photographic ambitions as much as your budget. “This dog is a good boy,” as the saying goes, about both - but one is a Labrador, and the other a spirited purebred.

Thank you for joining me on this detailed comparison. I’m confident this analysis helps you cut through the marketing fog to find the camera best aligned with your vision and workflow. Please feel free to reach out for deeper exploration or questions about using either camera in real-world shoots. Happy shooting!