An In-Depth Look at the Samsung HZ50W vs. Sony TX100V: Choosing Your Next Compact Companion

Photography, like any craft, demands tools that suit your style, your subjects, and your workflow. Among compact cameras, two noteworthy contenders from the early 2010s - the Samsung HZ50W (aka WB5500) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V - offer a fascinating comparison of design philosophies and performance priorities. Having handled both extensively over the years, I bring you my hands-on evaluation to help you decide which fits your photographic aspirations.

While today’s mirrorless giants dominate the conversation, understanding these gems reveals how design compromises and technology choices influence the user experience and image quality. Plus, enthusiasts and budget-conscious buyers alike can still glean valuable lessons from these cameras’ strengths and weaknesses.

Let’s dive in.

Size, Shape, and Handling: Are You a Bridge or a Sleek Pocket-Slinger?

When grip and ergonomics matter, a camera’s physical form is your first tactile memory. The Samsung HZ50W is a bridge-style superzoom, boasting an SLR-like body - chunky, robust, and aggressive in stance. In contrast, the Sony TX100V opts for an ultracompact, slimline design that fits snugly in your shirt pocket or tiny bag.

At 116x83x91 mm and weighing 426 grams, the HZ50W is a noticeable presence. That heft brings in confidence, especially when you extend its massive 26x zoom - the lens barrel’s length and front-heavy weight require a firm hand and some wrist stamina. The grip is molded for fingers to naturally curl, and physical dials let you adjust shutter and aperture quickly, ideal for on-the-fly manual control.

The TX100V, on the other hand, measures a slim 97x59x18 mm and weighs a mere 147 grams. It’s the pocket Swiss Army knife of cameras - light, easy, and inconspicuous. But the trade-off is comfort: although its titanium shell feels premium and sturdy, extended use without a proper grip might induce hand fatigue or limit control accuracy, especially for those used to larger bodies.

So, if ergonomics and tactile feedback rank high for you, the Samsung’s bridge body is likely your friend. If stealth and lightness are key, Sony’s design wins hands down.

Peek From Above: Control Layout and Usability

While size matters, how controls are laid out can make or break your shooting experience - especially when moments flee and menus kill frames.

Here, the Samsung HZ50W impresses with dedicated physical controls. The large mode dial, well-positioned shutter button, zoom lever, and exposure compensation dial invite quick adjustments without digging into menus. There’s a satisfying mechanical feel, like you’re wielding a proper camera rather than a gadget.

Meanwhile, the Sony TX100V streamlines controls massively, relying on touchscreen interaction to manage most settings. With a generous 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen featuring TruBlack technology (more on that soon), the Sony emphasizes simplicity and visual clarity. The downside? No manual exposure modes or dedicated dials - meaning photographers seeking full creative control might chafe under these limitations.

Bear in mind that the Samsung lacks a touchscreen entirely and doesn’t have illuminated buttons, which could hamper usability in dim environments. Sony’s touchscreen responsiveness is one of the best for its era, though navigating menus while holding a tiny camera requires a bit of thumb gymnastics.

Mastering the Sensor: The Heart of Image Quality

It’s no secret: sensor size and technology largely dictate a camera’s imaging prowess, dynamic range, noise performance, and ultimately, your photo’s look and versatility.

Both cameras sport 1/2.3-inch sensors, roughly 6 mm by 4.5 mm, which by today’s standards are small - large-sensor shooters will feel constrained here. But theirs are different flavors:

• The Samsung HZ50W uses a CCD sensor with 14 megapixels.
• The Sony TX100V employs a BSI-CMOS sensor at 16 megapixels.

CCD technology, although great for color depth and certain tonal renderings, tends to fall behind CMOS in noise control, dynamic range, and power efficiency. The Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS sensor (BSI-CMOS) gives it a distinct edge in low-light sensitivity and cleaner image output, especially as ISO climbs.

In practical terms, expect the Samsung’s shots at base ISO 64 to look punchy with decent color reproduction. However, noise will creep in aggressively past ISO 400. The Sony, starting at ISO 125, manages noise more gracefully up to ISO 800 and pushes further for casual prints or sharing.

Resolution-wise, both produce ample detail for prints up to A3 size or online display. The Sony offers a slightly higher pixel count (16 MP vs. 14 MP), but pixel density combined with sensor tech margins don’t translate to dramatically sharper images in real life.

Also notable: the Samsung supports RAW files, giving serious shooters latitude in post-processing, whereas the Sony captures only JPEG, limiting flexibility.

Live View and Viewing: Your Eye on the Scene

How you compose and check your shots matters, especially in bright light or unusual angles.

The Samsung HZ50W sports a fixed 3-inch LCD with 230,000-dot resolution - serviceable but far from crisp. It’s not a touchscreen. Therefore, interaction is strictly buttons and dials, which means less dynamic framing but good for careful manual tweaks.

In contrast, the Sony TX100V shines with a 3.5-inch touchscreen boasting impressive 1,229,000-dot density. Thanks to its XtraFine OLED display and TruBlack technology, it excels at representing deep blacks, vivid colors, and high contrast with minimal glare. This makes framing and reviewing images pleasurable, outdoors or indoors. The touchscreen also lets you tap to focus and navigate menus effortlessly - a notable ease-of-use factor.

Interestingly, the Samsung has an electronic viewfinder (EVF), albeit without resolution data. Even if modest, an EVF lets you compose with your eye to steady a shot and manage bright conditions better than LCD-only cameras. The Sony lacks one, relying purely on its brilliant LCD.

If you’re the kind who shoots outdoors in sun or prefers eye-level composition, Samsung’s EVF offers a practical advantage. If you favor a vivid, responsive touchscreen for quick adjustments, the Sony wins.

Zoom and Lens Versatility: Reach Vs. Range

Your intended subject dictates your lens choice or zoom reach, and fixed-lens cameras must make tough compromises.

Samsung’s claim to fame is its mammoth 26x optical zoom, covering a focal range from 26mm wide-angle to a whopping 676mm telephoto equivalent. Aperture ranges from f/2.8 at wide to f/5.0 telephoto.

The Sony TX100V offers a more modest 4x zoom, 25mm to 100mm equivalent, with f/3.5 to f/4.6 aperture.

In real use:

• The Samsung’s 26x zoom is a game-changer for birders, wildlife photographers, or event shooters needing immense reach in a pocketable bridge camera. Though image quality at maximum zoom softens (a common challenge), the convenience often trumps lugging huge telephoto lenses.

• The Sony’s shorter zoom favors general travel, street, and casual use. Its wider aperture at tele doesn’t keep pace with Samsung’s brighter wide angle but holds its own in normal lighting.

Macro capabilities factor, too: Samsung’s manual focus enables close focusing down to 10 cm - impressive for capturing details or small objects. The Sony does not specify macro range explicitly, suggesting less emphasis on close-ups.

Both cameras include optical image stabilization, essential for steady handheld shots, especially at longer zooms, so neither leaves you hanging there.

Shooting Modes, Autofocus, and Frame Rates: Reaction Time Reality Check

How fast and accurately a camera focuses and shoots multiple frames matters for action, wildlife, or candid moments.

The Samsung HZ50W relies on contrast-detection autofocus with a single center focus area and no face detection or continuous AF. There’s no continuous shooting mode reported, indicating limited burst capabilities.

Sony TX100V offers 9 focus points, also contrast detection but enhanced with touchscreen AF area selection. Shooting speed peaks at 10 fps, respectable for a compact, but AF remains single-shot, without continuous tracking or face/eye detection.

Neither camera boasts the sophisticated hybrid AF or phase detection systems that later models popularized, so expect occasional hunting indoors or low light.

For sports or wildlife, the Samsung’s massive zoom is enticing but hampered by AF speed and lack of burst mode. The Sony’s 10 fps burst offers some fun for casual action captures but limited tele.

Low Light, ISO Performance, and Noise: The Night Owl’s Test

Max native ISO is 3200 for both, with the Samsung doubling to 6400 in boosted mode. However, sensor tech differences reveal themselves here.

The Sony TX100V’s BSI-CMOS sensor shines in low light with cleaner output from ISO 800 upwards, thanks to back-illumination and noise reduction algorithms. Its aperture doesn’t open as wide, but the higher ISO ceiling offsets some.

Samsung’s CCD sensor dulls rapidly beyond ISO 400 - images become grainy fast, reducing usefulness of higher ISO settings except in emergencies.

Neither camera excels at astrophotography; long exposures beyond 16 seconds are unavailable or impractical.

Video Capabilities: Tiny Studios on the Go

The Samsung HZ50W records video at max 1280x720 (HD) at 30 fps, using the H.264 codec. It lacks microphone or headphone ports and offers no 4K.

Sony’s TX100V records Full HD 1920x1080 at 60 fps (MPEG-4, AVCHD), a substantial jump in resolution and smoothness. It also lacks audio connectivity.

For vloggers or video aficionados, the Sony trumps Samsung in video quality and options but falls short of modern expectations like external mics or 4K capture.

Storage, Connectivity, and Battery Life - The Lifelines

Samsung HZ50W stores images on SD/SDHC and features an internal memory buffer. USB 2.0 and HDMI output are present, but no wireless connectivity.

Sony TX100V supports SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Duo formats, built-in GPS tagging for geolocation, and Eye-Fi wireless support, a precursor to Wi-Fi transfer. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports round out the package.

The TX100V’s GPS and wireless options cater to travelers wanting to geo-tag and share images effortlessly. Samsung lacks these conveniences.

Battery life varies by use but tends to favor Sony’s smaller sensor and efficient processor under typical shooting, though both require your spare battery, especially for long days.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Can They Brave the Elements?

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dust or freeze resistance, or ruggedized durability. They’re best kept out of harsh conditions and handled with care - not surprising for their class and era.

Image Samples Speak: Real-World Testing Outcomes

Putting them side by side, Samsung’s shots reveal excellent daylight colors and great reach for distant subjects. Detail softens at long zoom and in tricky lighting.

Sony’s images pop with sharpness and low noise even at elevated ISO, and its vibrant screen makes reviewing shots a pleasure.

Performance Scorecards: What Does the Data Say?

This chart summarizes the strengths and weaknesses discovered in testing across genres:

• Samsung HZ50W: Best for wildlife and travel with superzoom needs; solid landscape and portraits with manual controls; poor low light and video.

• Sony TX100V: Excels in street, travel, video, and casual portraiture; low zoom limits wildlife/sports; better low light performance; user-friendly touchscreen.

Which Camera Fits Which Photographer?

I’ll break it down by common use cases, drawing on years of experience:

Portrait Photography

For clean skin tones and pleasing bokeh, neither camera rivals DSLRs or mirrorless with large apertures. The Samsung’s manual control lets you finesse shallow depth better, yet its sensor limits sharpness and noise. Sony’s smoother colors shine in well-lit portraits, plus the excellent LCD helps nail focus.

Winner: Slight edge to Samsung for manual exposure; Sony for usability.

Landscape Photography

Detail and dynamic range are paramount. Both are modest here, but the Sony’s better sensor and sharper lenses produce richer files. The Samsung’s extensive zoom is indirect help for distant landscapes.

Winner: Sony.

Wildlife Photography

Samsung’s colossal zoom lets you get close without spooking critters, but sluggish AF and lack of burst dragged it down in my tests. Sony’s 4x zoom is limiting.

Winner: Samsung, with reservations.

Sports Photography

Neither excels, but Sony’s 10fps burst is a rare advantage. If subject distance and quick focus are crucial, look elsewhere.

Winner: Sony for casual sports.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion count. The Sony’s compact shell, silent operation, and bright OLED screen win here. Samsung’s size and noise make it a third wheel.

Winner: Sony.

Macro Photography

Samsung’s 10 cm close focus is decent, but lack of focus stacking hampers advanced macro work. Sony is less capable here.

Winner: Samsung.

Night/Astro Photography

Sony’s cleaner high ISO helps, but small sensors limit star fields. Neither supports long exposures impressively.

Winner: Sony.

Video Work

Sony records in Full HD 60p vs. Samsung’s HD 30p. Sony’s video better quality and formats make it a better basic video tool.

Winner: Sony.

Travel Photography

Sony’s compact size, GPS, and wireless make it the ideal travel mate. Samsung’s superzoom but heavier kit appeals to those wanting reach for wildlife or architecture.

Winner: Sony for urban travel, Samsung for nature travel.

Professional Use

Both fall short for professional’s high demands in speed, image quality, and workflow integration. Samsung’s RAW support offers limited appeal, but neither fits serious pro workflows.

Winner: Neither.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Directions

The Samsung HZ50W stands as a dedicated superzoom bridge camera from 2010, still relevant for photographers craving vast zoom range and manual controls in a budget-bodied package. Its CCD sensor, optical viewfinder, and physical dials reward deliberate shooters, though image quality and low light abilities show their age.

The Sony TX100V, released a year later, takes a distinctly modern compact approach: sleek design, touchscreen interface, robust sensor, Full HD video, GPS, and wireless features that favor everyday photography and travel convenience. It lacks manual controls and superzoom reach but makes up for it with usability and image quality.

If your priority is zoom reach, manual exposure, and slightly more creative control - plus wildlife or occasional macro - go Samsung HZ50W.

If you want a compact powerhouse for travel, street, portraits, and casual video - favoring ease of use and better low light - the Sony TX100V is a clear winner.

A Personal Note

I remember carrying the Samsung on a birdwatching trip where its monstrous zoom enabled me to capture shy herons without a massive lens rig. At the same time, the Sony often accompanied me silently on city strolls, disappearing effortlessly in a jacket pocket, ready to snap vibrant street scenes.

Both offer distinctive paths for different photographers - knowing your priorities helps unlock their value, in spite of their age and modest specs.

Happy shooting, and may the best camera be the one you bring along!

If you want me to explore more about lenses, batteries, or detailed image files, just say the word. Meanwhile, may your next shot be the best one yet.