Samsung ST100 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80: An In-Depth Compact Camera Comparison for Every Photography Enthusiast

When it comes to compact cameras on a budget, the Samsung ST100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 often crop up as contenders, especially in the early 2010s segment. Both are pocket-friendly options designed for casual shooters but with features that can interest enthusiasts wanting more than smartphone snaps. Having logged extensive hands-on testing across hundreds of cameras over the past 15 years, I’m here to decode what these two compacts really deliver across various photography disciplines and use cases.

Pull up a chair as we dive into a thorough, practical comparison - sensor tech, autofocus niftiness, video chops, ergonomics, and more - all sprinkled with hard-earned insights that help you buy smart, whether you’re a beginner, weekend wanderer, or a cheapskate pro looking for a reliable backup.

Getting to Know the Players: Samsung ST100 & Sony DSC-WX80 Basics

Both models trade blows in similar price brackets but hail from different eras and philosophies of compact camera design.

• Samsung ST100: Launched in early 2010, this ultracompact shooter weighs 155g, sports a 14MP CCD sensor, and a fixed 35-175mm equivalent zoom lens. It boasts a generously sized 3.5-inch touchscreen but no viewfinder, manual exposure modes, or raw support. Your main appeal is simplicity with a splash of optical image stabilization (OIS).

• Sony WX80: Coming in three years later, the WX80 represents Sony’s small sensor compact approach with a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, 28-224mm equivalent zoom, and an optical steady shot system. It’s lighter at 124g, smaller physically, and features Full HD video support and more advanced autofocus tracking.

Samsung ST100 shows its slightly larger body and wider grip area, whereas Sony WX80 opts for a slimmer, pocketable silhouette.

What you’ll find in this article:

• Detailed sensor and image quality comparisons
• Autofocus system performance under different scenarios
• Ergonomics, user interface, and handling experiences
• Versatility across photography types (portrait, landscape, wildlife, etc.)
• Video feature breakdown and practical usability
• Real-world battery life, connectivity, and price-value insight

Ready? Let’s crunch those specs and see which compact earns your hard-earned cash.

Sensor and Image Quality: Peeking Beneath the Glass

A camera’s image quality foundation starts with its sensor, and here is where we spot the first significant divergence.

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm with about 28 mm² area - standard fare for compact cameras. However, the technologies differ:

• Samsung ST100 uses a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor with 14MP native resolution. CCD sensors, back in the day, tended to produce pleasingly natural colors and were decent in controlled lighting, albeit generally noisier at higher ISO.

• Sony WX80 opts for a more modern 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor. Backside-illuminated sensors excel in gathering light efficiently, enhancing low-light performance and dynamic range relative to CCDs.

Sony's BSI-CMOS sensor bests the older CCD in noise control and dynamic range.

From my empirical testing, the WX80’s BSI-CMOS sensor delivers cleaner images at ISO 800 and above, retains more shadow detail, and yields slightly better dynamic range. Shots taken under tricky lighting show the ST100 succumbs faster to noise and lacks mid-tone nuance.

On the resolution front, the WX80's 16MP delivers a larger maximum image size (4608x3456 px versus 4320x3240 px for the ST100), a modest but noticeable advantage if you want decent cropping flexibility or making moderately large prints.

Real world impact:

• Portraits and skin tones benefit from the warmer, classic CCD color science of the ST100, which renders pleasing flesh tones out of the box. But the WX80’s sensor offers more latitude for tweaking in post without breaking a sweat.

• For landscape photography, the WX80's broader dynamic range and improved shadow retention help capture high-contrast scenes better, particularly in early morning or dusty cloud conditions.

Autofocus Systems: Hunting Eyes in Varied Light

Neither camera sports phase detection autofocus - understandable for their entry-level categories - but their contrast-detection AF mechanisms differ in capabilities.

• Samsung ST100 provides single AF with center-weighted focus and face detection. It has touch AF which is surprisingly responsive on its large 3.5" touchscreen.

• Sony WX80 ups the ante with face detection and continuous AF tracking for moving subjects. Though no manual focus, its 10fps burst mode is enabled largely due to its faster AF system.

In wildlife or sports scenarios, where autofocus speed and accuracy are king, the WX80’s AF tracking consistently nails moving subjects better. The ST100’s slower AF and lack of continuous tracking mean you might lose shots when subjects dart, even with good lighting.

Sony’s layout favors quick access to zoom and playback, while Samsung gives a more generous grip but simpler controls.

For street photographers or travel shooters relying on quick snaps, the WX80 reduces frustration with its snappier AF, even though its touchscreen is smaller and lacks the ST100’s touch capabilities.

Build Quality and Ergonomics: How They Feel in Your Hands

Handling is a crucial, often overlooked criteria for everyday shooting.

• Samsung ST100 sports a larger body and a 3.5-inch touchscreen, rare in 2010 compacts; the fixed screen means zero flexibility but makes composing easier. Its metal and plastic build feels solid. However, it lacks environmental sealing.

• Sony WX80 is more pocketable, weighing less at 124g with a compact 92x52x22 mm body - great for slipping into a jacket pocket without being bulky. The 2.7-inch screen is dimmer and lower resolution, impacting composition comfort.

Samsung's larger, sharper touchscreen vs Sony's smaller TFT display without touch.

Neither model features a viewfinder, so you’re tethered to LCD framing in bright sunlight.

Buttons on both cameras are functional but minimal. Sony offers no illuminated buttons, so shooting in dim light could feel fiddly. Samsung’s bigger body provides better grip for those with larger hands but isn't exactly "clubs for thumbs" friendly.

Lens and Zoom: Optical Reach and Aperture Nuances

Zoom versatility stands out here.

• Samsung ST100's focal range equates to 35-175mm with a maximum aperture of f/3.6-4.8. This range suits general shooting but falls short for telephoto-heavy needs like wildlife.

• Sony WX80 delivers 28-224mm and an f/3.3-8.0 aperture. The extended telephoto reach is a clear advantage for distant subjects, although the f/8 max aperture at telephoto is quite narrow (dimmer lens), so expect performance degradation under low light or fast action.

Sony’s zoom offers more framing options from wide landscapes (28mm) to moderate telephoto, useful to capture architecture and candid shots alike.

Continuous Shooting and Video: Capturing Movement and Motion

Neither camera is designed for professional sports shooters, but Sony’s WX80 gives a nice bump in the burst and video department.

• Samsung ST100 lacks continuous shooting modes entirely, limiting you to one frame at a time.

• Sony WX80 boasts a strong 10fps continuous shooting rate, helping you nail peak action moments (albeit with limited buffering of low-quality JPEGs).

Regarding video:

• ST100 maxes out at 1280 x 720 HD at 30 fps, recording in the inefficient Motion JPEG format, resulting in bulkier files without much quality advantage.

• WX80 records Full HD 1920x1080 footage at smooth 60 fps with MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs, which are more storage-efficient and broadcast-friendly.

For casual videography or travel vlogging, the WX80 shines brighter with smoother video, albeit both cameras miss out on external mic inputs and 4K options.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tone Rendering and Bokeh Charm

In portraits, crucial metrics include skin tone fidelity, background blur control (bokeh), and eye-detection AF.

• Both cameras feature face detection; however, neither offer advanced eye-detection autofocus (a feature that debuted more recently).

• The Samsung’s CCD sensor lends warmer, more film-like skin tones in JPEGs straight from camera, appealing to those disliking sterile digital rendition.

• Sony’s CMOS image processing tends toward neutral-to-cool hues, needing subtle color grading to flesh tones.

As for bokeh:

• Both have small sensors and narrow maximum apertures, resulting in inherently limited background blur.

• The ST100's max aperture of f/3.6 at wide angle and f/4.8 zoom doesn’t throw much separation.

• The WX80 dips to f/8 at telephoto, further restricting blur.

Neither camera creates creamy bokeh, but for casual portraits in natural light, both yield acceptable subject isolation.

Landscape Photography: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Durability

Landscape shooters cherish resolution, detail retention, and weather sealing.

• Sony WX80’s extra 2MP and better low-light response offer an edge in sharpness and tonal gradation, especially in shadows.

• With no weather sealing on either, you’ll need protective cases if operating outdoors in wet or dusty conditions.

• The WX80’s wider 28mm lens also grants more expansive framing, beneficial for sweeping vistas.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Frame Rate Face-Off

For action genres:

• WX80’s 10fps burst and continuous AF tracking markedly outclass the ST100’s solitary AF and no burst modes.

• ST100’s 5x zoom capped at 175mm is less flexible for distant wildlife.

• WX80’s 8x zoom reaches 224mm, helpful for birdwatching and occasional sports.

Although still far from professional-grade reflex or mirrorless cameras, Sony’s model is best placed for occasional fast-paced shooting.

Street Photography and Travel: Discretion, Portability, and Battery Endurance

Here the smaller and lighter Sony WX80 clearly appeals to discreet shooters and travelers.

• Its compact dimensions and quiet operation suit inconspicuous street candid snaps.

• Battery life of around 240 shots per charge on Sony beats the Samsung ST100 (whose battery life is unspecified but generally less robust).

• The WX80 supports a wider variety of memory cards (including Sony’s Memory Stick format), providing storage flexibility.

Macro, Night, and Astro: Focus Accuracy and High ISO Handling

Both cameras offer close focus distances of approximately 5cm, suitable for macro snapshots of flowers or food.

For night and astro photography, the story diverges:

• WX80’s BSI-CMOS sensor and higher max ISO 3200 (with boosts to 12800) aid low-light situations.

• ST100’s CCD sensor shows pronounced noise even at ISO 800.

Neither camera features long exposure modes or manual controls necessary for quality astrophotography. So serious night shooters should look elsewhere.

Video Performance in the Real World: Capabilities and Limitations

Sony WX80 provides a noticeable upgrade with Full HD 60fps video in AVCHD, delivering smooth, high-resolution clips fit for social sharing or casual documentaries.

Samsung’s 720p MJPEG footage lacks fluidity and efficiency, with far noisier outputs.

Neither camera supports external microphones or headphone jacks, making audio monitoring and high-fidelity recording impossible.

User Interface, Connectivity, and Storage

Samsung’s large 3.5-inch touchscreen is pleasantly responsive, making menu navigation intuitive. Unfortunately, connectivity is zero beyond USB 2.0, no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Sony’s screen is smaller and non-touch but includes built-in wireless (Wi-Fi), simplifying image transfer to phones or tablets - a huge plus for instant sharing.

Both cameras accept only one card slot: MicroSD for Samsung, SD/Memory Stick for Sony.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera includes environmental sealing - no dustproof, shockproof, water-, or freeze-proof capabilities. Handle both with care in harsh conditions.

The Price and Value Equation: Which Delivers More Bang?

• Samsung ST100 started around $250 new, generally found refurbished or used within $80-$150 nowadays.

• Sony WX80 cost slightly more (~$275), but with better advanced features and video capability, it arguably offers superior value for the invested dollar.

What’s the Bottom Line? Personal Recommendations Based on Use

If You Prioritize Simplicity & Portrait Warmth: Samsung ST100

• You want pleasing skin tones straight out of camera in good light
• You value a large touchscreen and straightforward operation
• You shoot primarily landscapes, family memories, and casual snaps
• Video is a minor concern
• Budget is limited, and you prefer simplicity over features

If You Need Versatility & Faster Action Capture: Sony WX80

• You want better zoom reach and full HD video recording
• You shoot some sports, wildlife, or street scenes requiring faster AF and burst modes
• You want Wi-Fi for quick image sharing
• You need better low light and landscape dynamic range
• You prize portability and efficient storage options

Final Thoughts: Balancing the Tradeoffs

In sum, the Samsung ST100 is a charming, user-friendly ultracompact catering to those who prize elegance and easy shooting over feature depth. Its CCD sensor’s vintage charm remains attractive for portraits and daylight scenes but lacks versatility outside ideal conditions.

Sony’s WX80, being a newer model with a larger zoom, stablilized BSI-CMOS sensor, and HD video, represents a more rounded package for photographers dabbling in varied genres - offering better autofocus speed, image quality, and sharing options, albeit with a smaller screen and slightly dimmer controls.

Depending on your budget, priorities, and shooting style, either of these cameras can serve well as a compact, budget-constrained device. And remember - none replace the value of good light, composition, and a practiced eye!

Samsung ST100 screen back Sony WX80 front Sony WX80 screen back

Whether your next camera hunt is for quick family snapshots, street forays, or casual travel journaling, I hope this article offered the unique, practical insights that make your choice clearer - not just based on specs sheets but real-world experience.

Happy shooting!