Samsung NX100 vs Samsung TL320: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Cameras

Choosing the right camera is a nuanced journey, shaped by your unique photography style, experience level, and aspirations. Today, we explore two Samsung cameras from a pivotal era - the Samsung NX100, an entry-level mirrorless, and the Samsung TL320 (also known as WB1000), an ultracompact point-and-shoot. While they share the brand name, they target vastly different users and use cases. Our hands-on experience with thousands of cameras helps us uncover what separates these models, focusing on real-world performance, technical capabilities, and how these translate into your creative work.

Let’s unpack this side-by-side comparison with clarity and depth, guiding you through every feature and scenario you might encounter.

First Impressions: Design and Handling Matter

Physical comfort and usability define how quickly you connect with your camera and the joy you get from shooting.

The NX100’s body reflects the mirrorless philosophy: a compact but substantial grip that invites you to hold it steadily. Its rangefinder style offers a classic feel with sufficient buttons and dials to streamline manual shooting - ideal if you like controlling shutter speed, aperture, and ISO yourself.

The TL320 prioritizes portability. It’s sleek, pocket-sized, and discreet - qualities prized for everyday carry and travel. Its fixed lens and compact form mean it’s ready for a quick snapshot, but it lacks the tactile feedback and customization found on the NX100.

The View from Above: Control Layout and Interface

Ergonomics mean more with prolonged use. Let’s examine how Samsung arranges critical controls on these models.

The NX100 shines with dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, affording swift adjustments. Absence of a built-in EVF nudges you to rely on the 3-inch AMOLED display for framing, which is bright but lacks touchscreen input.

The TL320 is button-light, mainly operating through menu systems and a directional pad. Its 3-inch screen offers a basic interface - good enough for casual shooting but less so when you want quick manual tweaking.

Sensor Technology: The Heart of Image Quality

Your sensor determines how your photos will look fundamentally, impacting resolution, dynamic range, and performance in challenging conditions.

The NX100’s APS-C sensor is a key differentiator. Its larger sensor area captures more light, delivering superior image quality, especially noticeable in detail preservation, depth of field control, and low-light performance. The supported ISO up to 6400 is a boon for night or indoor photography, with manageable noise levels when tested in real shots.

In contrast, the TL320’s small 1/2.3” CCD sensor limits dynamic range and image fidelity, especially in challenging light. While sufficient for casual use and snapshots, expect image softness and noticeable noise above ISO 800. Its maximum ISO 3200 is modest, but noisy at the top end.

How They Perform in Portrait Photography

Portraits demand fidelity to skin tones, compelling background separation, and excellent autofocus (AF) precision.

Samsung NX100

• Skin Tones: The APS-C sensor renders natural, smooth skin tones with good color depth, helped by Samsung's DRIMe Engine.
• Bokeh: The bigger sensor combined with adaptable lenses creates a shallow depth of field, beautifully isolating your subject from backgrounds.
• Eye Detection: Basic face detection AF assists focusing on faces; eye detection isn't available, but manual focus is accommodated.
• Lenses: You have access to 32 Samsung NX-mount lenses, including prime lenses tailored for portraits.

Samsung TL320

• Skin Tones: Colors are acceptable but tend toward slight desaturation under mixed lighting.
• Bokeh: Fixed lens with small sensor limits background blur; not ideal for portraiture emphasizing subject separation.
• Eye Detection: Basic face detection helps focus on faces but no advanced eye or face tracking.
• Lens: Built-in 24-120mm equivalent zoom lens, versatile but limited in creative control.

In sum, if portraits are your focus, the NX100 offers far greater creative latitude and image quality, crucial for impressive, professional results.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution Insights

Landscape photography thrives on high dynamic range (HDR) and ample resolution for large prints or cropping.

The NX100’s sensor with 15MP resolution stands out here. Its DXO Mark scores back this up:

• Color Depth: 22.6 bits
• Dynamic Range: 10.7 EV
• Low-Light ISO: 563

This allows you to capture rich skies and shadow details in RAW files, giving latitude in post-processing. Although the Samsung NX system doesn’t boast weather sealing, its build is robust enough for general outdoor use.

The TL320’s 12MP, tiny sensor delivers limited dynamic range capabilities. The camera’s JPEG processing applies aggressive noise reduction, which can smudge fine shadow details. Weather sealing is absent, and lens max aperture reduces to f/5.8 at telephoto, losing light-gathering power necessary for dawn or dusk scenes.

Autofocus and Burst Rates for Wildlife and Sports Photography

Tracking fast-moving subjects demands rapid AF and sustained burst shooting.

For wildlife and sports caching action, the NX100 provides modest burst speed and manual focus options but lacks advanced features like continuous tracking AF or high frame rates.

The TL320, designed as a compact, doesn't offer continuous shooting or sophisticated AF tracking, limiting its suitability for dynamic subjects.

So, if your work involves active wildlife or sports photography, neither camera fulfills high-end speed needs; however, the NX100 marginally edges ahead with manual lens compatibility and faster bursts.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreteness and Portability

Street and travel photographers prize discretion, portability, and versatility.

The TL320’s compact, ultrathin body makes it ultra-discreet and pocket-friendly - ideal for street candid shots or light travel packing. It weighs under 200g (estimated), fitting seamlessly into any bag or pocket.

The NX100 is larger and heavier but still manageable for day trips. Its lens interchangeability allows bringing a compact prime or zoom to suit your outing. However, it lacks in-body stabilization, relying on lens IS if present, which can impact handheld low-light snapping.

Battery life also differs:

• NX100: Approximately 420 shots per charge - the battery is removable, letting serious travelers carry spares.
• TL320: Battery life isn’t officially stated but tends to be shorter than DSLRs/mirrorless cameras; battery is internal or fixed.

In brief, for street and travel ease, the TL320 wins on portability, but the NX100 offers creative flexibility worth the bulk.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Macro photography demands precise focus and magnification.

• NX100: No focus stacking or post-focus, but manual focus combined with dedicated macro lenses in the NX mount gives you higher magnification and focusing precision.
• TL320: Fixed lens with 5cm macro focus extends versatility but limited optical magnification and field control.

If close-up photography excites you as a hobby or profession, the NX100 system is a better platform to build on with dedicated macro glass and precise focus control.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Capabilities

Samsung NX100’s APS-C sensor and ISO range up to 6400, combined with manual exposure modes like shutter priority and full manual, also mean you can experiment confidently with long exposures and astrophotography.

The AMOLED display helps in composing stars even under dark conditions, though the lack of an integrated EVF or tilting screen might challenge this slightly.

The TL320, limited by its small sensor and maximum ISO 3200, struggles more in low light, and exposure times max out at 2 seconds shutter speed, unsuitable for star trails or night landscapes.

Video Recording: What Do You Get?

Video capabilities are increasingly important.

Both cameras record HD video, with the NX100 offering higher compression efficiency (H.264) compared to TL320’s Motion JPEG, yielding smaller, better-looking files.

Neither offers microphone inputs, so audio quality is limited. The NX100’s lens choices may provide better stabilization and quality optics for video, but both cameras are modest video performers designed for casual use.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera includes environmental sealing - no waterproofing, dustproofing, or shockproofing.

This is typical for consumer models in their era and price range, but it means rough or inclement shooting conditions require care.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Both cameras rely on SD or SDHC cards, standard at this price point and era, with the TL320 adding internal memory for a handful of shots.

With no wireless features or NFC, you must rely on physical connections or card readers for image transfer, a limitation compared to modern cameras, but acceptable for budget users.

Image Samples and Real-World Quality

Samsung NX100 screen back Samsung TL320 screen back

Here you see side-by-side shots showcasing the NX100’s sharpness, dynamic range, and colors versus the TL320’s compact convenience but softer results. The NX100 clearly excels in fine detail retention and low-light color accuracy. The TL320's images are smoother and less noisy in bright daylight but lack resolution and punch.

Overall Performance Comparison Scores

Based on DxOMark data and hands-on evaluation, here's a snapshot:

Who Excels in Which Genre?

Let’s explore each photography type and see how these Samsung models fare.

• Portrait: NX100 wins due to sensor and lens choices.
• Landscape: NX100 better dynamic range and resolution.
• Wildlife/Sports: Neither ideal; NX100 slightly better with manual lenses.
• Street: TL320 excels for portability and discretion.
• Macro: NX100 with dedicated lenses wins.
• Night/Astro: NX100’s higher ISO and long exposures shine.
• Video: Both modest, NX100 slightly better compression.
• Travel: TL320’s size favors travel light, NX100 balances size with flexibility.
• Professional Use: NX100 fits as entry-level mirrorless; TL320 is casual point-and-shoot.

Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Samsung

Samsung NX100 - When to Choose

• You seek image quality and versatility for portraits, landscapes, and creative manual control.
• Manual exposure modes, lens interchangeability, and RAW shooting are important.
• You want a compact system camera for entry-level mirrorless photography.
• You value battery swappability and more robust ergonomics.
• Ideal if you enjoy learning photography fundamentals and growing your gear over time.

Samsung TL320 - When to Choose

• Portability and stealth are your top priorities; you want a stylish compact to slip in your pocket.
• You need a simple camera for snapshots, travel, and street photography without fuss.
• You prefer a fixed lens with decent zoom range in a small package.
• You prioritize ease of use over manual control or professional-grade image quality.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Both cameras tell different stories about their intended users. The NX100, even a decade old, still packs advanced features and image quality closer to today’s entry-level mirrorless offerings. Its APS-C sensor, manual controls, and lens ecosystem offer a launchpad for serious enthusiasts.

The TL320 is a snapshot machine designed for convenience and casual shooting. Its compact size and simple interface support spontaneous photography but at the cost of creative control.

Our advice: If you want to learn photographic artistry, invest in the NX100 and its lenses. If you need a secondary, easy camera for travels or street snaps, the TL320 remains portable and practical.

Remember, technology advances quickly, and you can explore updated mirrorless and compact options too. However, understanding these models equips you with foundational knowledge about what features truly matter for your personal photography journey.

Helpful Tips to Get Started

• Try Handling Both: Ergonomics and comfort in hand are paramount - visit a store to feel each camera.
• Explore Lens Options: The NX100’s lens ecosystem is relatively rich - consider primes like the 30mm f/2.0 for portraits.
• Accessory Planning: Invest in extra batteries for the NX100, and a durable case for the TL320.
• Practice Manual Mode: The NX100 rewarding use of manual controls accelerates your learning curve.
• Use a Tripod: For night and landscape photos with the NX100, a tripod is invaluable.

Your creative vision deserves the right tools. Whether you seek the flexible power of the NX100 or the pocket-friendly convenience of the TL320, both have stories to tell. Dive in, explore, and make photography your own.

Happy shooting!