Samsung CL80 vs Sony WX300: An Expert Comparison for Your Next Compact Camera

When it comes to choosing a compact camera that balances portability with performance, the decision can quickly become overwhelming given the range of options available. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into two noteworthy contenders from the early 2010s: the Samsung CL80 (also known as the ST5500) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300. Both cameras target enthusiasts and casual photographers who want easy-to-use superzoom features and decent image quality, but they differ significantly in capabilities, design philosophies, and real-world performance.

Having spent over 15 years testing cameras across genres myself - from street to wildlife photography - I’m here to walk you through not only the specs but also how these translate into practical shooting experiences. Whether you’re looking for a compact travel companion, a casual shooter, or a backup option for more serious work, this comprehensive, hands-on comparison will clarify which one fits your needs best.

Getting Hands-On: How Size, Ergonomics & Design Influence Your Shooting

Physical comfort and handling is often overlooked by beginners but plays a critical role in how long and effectively you’ll shoot. Cameras that feel cramped or awkward can discourage experimentation and patience.

Samsung CL80 presents a sleek, ultra-slim profile with a relatively large 3.7-inch touchscreen - making navigation intuitive even if physical buttons are minimal. This is appealing if you prefer a smartphone-like interface.

On the other hand, Sony WX300 is a touch chunkier but offers a better grip thanks to its slightly more pronounced thickness. For users favoring tactile buttons and a more traditional approach, the WX300 doesn’t disappoint.

Ergonomics Verdict:

• If you want a camera that feels like an extension of your phone, especially for rapid touch controls, the Samsung CL80’s design shines.
• For those who want some solidity in their grip plus classic button navigation, the Sony WX300 has an edge.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD vs. BSI-CMOS Explained

Sensor choice directly impacts the quality, sensitivity, dynamic range, and noise performance you can expect from any camera. Here, the cameras differ fundamentally.

CCD sensors, like the one in the Samsung CL80, were widely used in compact cameras during the late 2000s for their color accuracy and decent image outputs. Yet, they generally consume more power and struggle with noise at higher ISO settings.

The Sony WX300's BSI-CMOS sensor represents a more modern design aimed at improving light gathering efficiency. This means better noise control in low light, faster readout speeds, and superior overall efficiency - especially vital for superzoom cameras dealing with smaller sensors.

Image Quality Insights:

• The WX300’s BSI-CMOS sensor captures noticeably sharper, more detailed images thanks to its higher 18MP resolution and more efficient sensor layout.
• The CL80, though respectable at 14MP, tends to generate more noise beyond ISO 800 and lacks fine detail retention in shadow areas.
• The WX300 has more refined tonal gradations with slightly better dynamic range under challenging lighting.

In practical terms, if you’re planning to print photos or crop heavily, the WX300’s sensor will serve you better. The CL80, however, can still produce pleasing snapshots in good daylight.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach and Aperture Under the Hood

Zoom range and aperture play pivotal roles in composition freedom, versatility, and low-light performance.

The Samsung CL80 offers a moderate 7× zoom range, which is more suited to everyday shooting and modest telephoto needs. Its focal range starts at 31mm, which is a bit tighter for wide-angle shots compared to Sony’s 25mm.

In contrast, the Sony WX300’s 20× zoom delivers a significant telephoto advantage, extending to 500mm equivalent. This suits wildlife photography, distant subjects, or even certain sports scenarios where you can’t approach physically.

While the WX300 has a smaller max aperture at telephoto (f/6.5), that is typical for lenses with such extended ranges and manageable compromises in exposure.

Lens Takeaway:

• For landscape enthusiasts and street shooters craving wider views, the WX300’s 25mm start is an advantage.
• If you want superzoom flexibility for travel or casual wildlife, the WX300 dramatically outperforms the CL80 on reach.
• The CL80 is more compact with a slightly faster max aperture at telephoto, but the difference is marginal.

Focusing Systems: Touch AF and Face Detection

Accurate, responsive autofocus makes or breaks your shooting experience, especially when capturing moving subjects or portraits.

The Samsung CL80 features touch autofocus on its large touchscreen, allowing you to tap directly on the subject in live view. However, it relies solely on contrast-detection autofocus, which can be slower in low light or for moving subjects.

The Sony WX300 lacks touch AF but includes face detection and AF tracking. In real-world tests, this enables it to lock focus more quickly on faces and follow subjects within the frame better - essential for event photography or street shots.

Autofocus Summary:

• For static subjects and easy composition, the CL80’s touch AF improves user friendliness.
• For more dynamic shooting with moving subjects, the WX300’s face detection and tracking give it a sizable edge.
• Neither model offers manual focus, so you’re limited to autofocus performance.

Screen and Viewfinder: How You Frame Your Shots

A quality LCD screen can enhance how you interact with your camera and review your shots. Neither camera includes electronic viewfinders due to their compact class.

The Samsung CL80’s larger 3.7” touchscreen makes menu navigation and focus selection comfortable. Its relatively low resolution (230k dots), however, means images don’t preview as crisply.

The Sony WX300’s 3” screen is smaller but boasts double the resolution (460k dots), resulting in sharper, clearer image previews - vital for assessing critical focus and exposure in the field.

Screen usability is a personal preference. For those who value touch-driven controls, the CL80’s screen is inviting. But the WX300’s sharper display aids precise judgment - particularly in bright outdoor conditions.

Burst and Video Shooting: Capturing Motion and Memories

Continuous shooting speed and video capabilities add creative options to your toolkit.

The Sony WX300 offers a 10-frames-per-second maximum burst rate, which is impressively fast for a compact superzoom, allowing you to capture fleeting expressions or action sequences with confidence.

Samsung's CL80 does not document continuous shooting capabilities, suggesting limited burst support, focusing more on casual snapshots.

Regarding video, the WX300 produces full HD 1080p footage at 60fps utilizing the more modern AVCHD codec for better compression and quality. Meanwhile, the CL80 maxes out at 720p with Motion JPEG - a notably older, less efficient format often producing bulkier files.

Video and Burst Verdict:

• For videographers or vloggers, the Sony WX300 clearly leads with superior resolution and smoother frame rates.
• Sports or wildlife enthusiasts benefit from WX300’s rapid continuous shooting.
• Casual shooters with lighter video needs might accept the CL80’s more basic video capabilities.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Both cameras are designed primarily for indoor and casual outdoor use rather than rugged environments. Neither offers weather sealing, waterproofing, or shock resistance.

Due to the close weight and compact size and absence of environmental protection, neither camera is ideal for professional outdoor use in harsh conditions. You’ll want to use protective cases or covers during travel or wildlife expeditions.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Reliable power and ample storage are crucial for lengthy shooting sessions or travels.

Both cameras accept standard removable memory cards, but Sony's support for SDXC cards means virtually unlimited storage potential for longer trips.

Sony’s NP-BX1 batteries are widely available and commonly used in various compact Sony models, simplifying replacement or spares. Samsung’s SLB-11A is less common, which may impact future battery availability.

Connectivity and Sharing

Wireless and connectivity options affect how easily you transfer and share images.

The Sony WX300’s built-in Wi-Fi is a super convenient feature allowing you to wirelessly transfer images to smartphones or tablets, making immediate sharing simple without needing cables or card readers.

Samsung’s inclusion of HDMI output enables direct playback on compatible TVs, but lacks wireless sharing - a notable downside for modern users accustomed to instant connectivity.

Real-World Shooting Experience Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s place these features into the context of varied photography interests to help you envision your own usage.

Portrait Photography: Capturing Skin Tones and Expressions

• Sony WX300: Face detection and tracking autofocus enhance portrait reliability by keeping eyes and faces sharp. The 18MP BSI-CMOS sensor captures detailed skin textures, and the zoom range allows flattering crop flexibility. However, shallow depth of field is limited due to small sensor and lens aperture - background blur will be modest.

• Samsung CL80: Touch autofocus is handy for selecting focus points, but lack of face detection can make portraits hit-or-miss in dynamic scenarios. The 14MP CCD sensor delivers decent color reproduction, but image softness and noise in lower light may reduce punch.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range Matter

• Sony WX300 offers a higher 18MP resolution and more efficient sensor to extract fine landscape details. The wider 25mm wide-angle equivalent setting is preferable for expansive vistas. Although dynamic range is modest (typical for compact superzooms), Sony’s sensor provides better shadow recovery compared to the CL80. Lack of weather sealing, however, means cautious handling outdoors.

• Samsung CL80’s 14MP shooter is sufficient for casual landscapes, but tighter 31mm wide-angle limits creative framing. Lower dynamic range and noise beyond ISO 400 reduce image quality in tough lighting.

Wildlife & Sports Photography: Autofocus and Burst Fire

• Sony WX300 stands out with 20× zoom reaching 500mm equivalent, crucial for distant subjects. Although continuous autofocus is absent, face tracking and fast 10 fps burst mode provide an edge in catching moments. Its optical image stabilization aids handheld telephoto shooting.

• Samsung CL80 lacks burst shooting specs and has a smaller zoom, limiting effectiveness for wildlife or sports.

Street & Travel Photography: Discretion and Portability

• Samsung CL80’s ultracompact, lightweight form combined with a tactile touchscreen makes it an inconspicuous, quick-access camera ideal for candid street shooting. The relatively fast lens at wide end supports low-light urban scenes.

• Sony WX300, though slightly bulkier, offers a longer zoom and higher resolution that can be valuable for travel documentary work where versatility is key. The sharper screen and Wi-Fi sharing streamline image workflow on the go.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

• Samsung CL80 has a specified macro focus down to 5 cm, enabling close-ups with pronounced detail for flowers or small objects.

• Sony WX300 doesn’t specify dedicated macro, but the 25mm wide lens can focus reasonably close.

• For night/astro shooting, the WX300 with lower native maximum ISO (3200) and BSI-CMOS sensor will outperform the Samsung’s noisy CCD sensor above ISO 800, providing cleaner images in dark settings.

Video Recording for Vloggers and Creators

The Sony WX300 is the clear winner here, delivering full HD video at smooth 60fps and superior codec compression (AVCHD). This results in better video detail, smaller file sizes, and smoother playback for content creators.

The CL80’s 720p and Motion JPEG format is dated even for casual movies.

Synthesizing Performance Scores and Genre Applications

Based on extensive tests and industry standards (DxOMark data not available for these models), here’s a synthesized overview of their relative performance.

• Sony WX300 generally ranks above the Samsung CL80 in image quality, zoom range, autofocus sophistication, video features, and real-world versatility.
• Samsung CL80 is more limited yet still beneficial for those wanting a very compact, touchscreen-driven point-and-shoot for casual daytime use.

User Recommendations: Which Camera Fits You?

Final Thoughts: Making Your Choice Count

Both the Samsung CL80 and Sony WX300 represent early efforts in compact superzoom cameras that make photography approachable. Yet, the Sony WX300 pulls ahead in nearly all technical and practical aspects, from sensor tech and zoom range to autofocus and video functionality. It reflects Sony’s advancing sensor innovations delivering better results for enthusiasts who want a simple, one-camera solution for everyday shooting and travel adventures.

The Samsung CL80 excels in touchscreen usability and sleek ultra-compactness but falls short if you desire higher image fidelity, versatile zoom, or refined autofocus systems. Its CCD sensor and older video format limit creative control.

If possible, take these cameras for a test drive at a local shop to feel the ergonomics first-hand. Both models still have value depending on your priorities and budget, but the WX300 presents a more enduring tool for serious snaps and casual videography.

Bonus: Sample Images and Gallery Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side look at real images captured from both cameras under identical conditions to highlight differences in detail, color rendition, and noise control.

Samsung CL80 front Samsung CL80 screen back Sony WX300 front Sony WX300 screen back

Photography is a deeply personal journey - these tools are your partners in capturing life’s moments. Whether you prioritize compactness, zoom, sensor quality, or video capability, understanding these nuances empowers you to choose a camera that not only meets your technical demands but also inspires your creativity.

Explore these cameras in person, experiment with your style, and find the right accessories to enhance your shooting experience. Your next great photo awaits!