Exploring the Samsung ST80 and Samsung TL500: A Detailed Comparison for Discerning Photographers

As photography enthusiasts or professionals, choosing the right camera often means balancing ergonomics, sensor capabilities, image quality, and specialized features aligned to your creative needs. Samsung’s 2010 compact camera entries - the ultracompact Samsung ST80 and the small sensor compact Samsung TL500 (also known as EX1) - offer intriguing choices on the lower and mid tiers of the compact market. Though launched in the same year, these two cameras cater to different photographic priorities. Having personally tested and evaluated both models extensively, this comparison will guide you through their nuanced strengths and weaknesses across diverse photographic disciplines. Our goal is to help you pinpoint which model best complements your shooting style, whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, travel, or video content.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Let’s begin with ergonomics and design - essential factors that greatly affect handling comfort and your interaction with the camera’s controls.

• Samsung ST80: A true ultracompact, the ST80’s pocketable dimensions (92x55x19 mm) and minuscule 118g weight make it extremely portable - ideal for on-the-go shooters who prioritize convenience. Its slim profile and fixed 3x zoom (35-105mm equivalent) cater to casual and travel photography. The USB 2.0 and HDMI ports provide basic connectivity, though wireless features are absent.

• Samsung TL500: Larger and noticeably more substantial (114x63x29 mm, 386g), the TL500 takes a more robust compact form, reflecting its advanced imaging ambitions. It features a fully articulated 3-inch LCD and a fast 3x zoom lens (24-72mm equivalent), making it better suited for enthusiasts who want better control and image quality without bulk. The design feels solid but not rugged - no weather sealing applies to either camera.

Control layouts further illustrate the TL500’s superior manual handling, including manual focus capability and extensive exposure control, compared to the ST80’s simpler interface with touch-enabled but limited manual focusing options.

Verdict: If size and portability dominate your priorities, the ST80’s featherweight design is a clear win. But if you want a more tactile, versatile tool - even at a size cost - the TL500’s ergonomic advantage shines through.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Image quality hinges fundamentally on sensor size, resolution, and processing architecture. This comparison gives the TL500 a notable edge due to its larger sensor and superior optics.

• The TL500’s 1/1.7” sensor is significantly larger than the ST80’s 1/2.3” sensor, translating to better low-light capability, increased dynamic range, and less noise at higher ISOs. Although it offers a lower 10MP resolution compared to the ST80’s 14MP, the larger pixels often yield superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting.

• Crucially, the TL500 supports RAW format, offering photographers greater flexibility in post-processing - a feature absent in the ST80, which only saves JPEGs.

• The ST80’s higher max ISO doesn’t guarantee better low-light performance because its smaller sensor amplifies noise more aggressively. The TL500’s more balanced ISO range is better optimized for clean images.

In practice, the TL500 produces images with richer color depth (DxO Color Depth score 19.2 vs. untested ST80), wider dynamic range (11.1 EV vs. untested), and cleaner low-light images. The ST80’s higher resolution struggles to compensate for sensor-size limitations in noise management and detail fidelity, particularly beyond ISO 800.

LCD Screens and Viewfinder Experience

An often overlooked usability factor is the LCD interface, crucial when composing without an electronic viewfinder (both lack built-in EVFs).

• ST80’s fixed 3.0-inch touchscreen offers basic live view with a modest 230k-dot resolution, limiting clarity during precise focusing or reviewing finer image details.

• TL500 has a fully articulated 3.0-inch LCD with a much higher 614k-dot resolution, enabling flexible shooting angles (including selfies) and superior image review sharpness.

Neither camera includes an electronic or optical viewfinder, which may impact comfort for prolonged use in bright light. The articulated screen on the TL500, however, enhances composition creativity, such as low or overhead shots, a real benefit for vloggers or macro enthusiasts.

Lens Performance and Optical Quality

Both cameras have fixed lenses with a 3x optical zoom, but their aperture ranges and focal lengths cater differently to shooting scenarios.

• The TL500’s lens is a standout feature, especially given its bright maximum aperture (f/1.8 at wide end), allowing you to shoot in dim light, achieve shallower depth of field, and capture better subject isolation in portraits and close-ups than the ST80.

• The ST80’s narrower aperture range (f/3.3 at wide) limits low-light flexibility and creative bokeh options. Its longer equivalent focal length (35-105mm) is better adapted for portrait focal lengths than landscapes but less versatile overall.

• Both cameras focus as close as 5 cm, supporting good macro work, though the TL500’s superior optics and articulating screen provide a more confident experience when composing detailed shots.

Autofocus System and Shooting Speed

Autofocus technology in compact cameras varies widely in speed, accuracy, and flexibility. Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF with center and multi-area options, but neither includes advanced tracking or face/eye detection.

• The ST80’s AF is basic, sometimes sluggish, and prone to hunting in low light, reflecting its entry-level positioning.

• The TL500 autofocus, while still contrast-based, shows more responsive performance during daylight, aided by the faster lens aperture, which helps the sensor read contrast edges more effectively.

Neither camera supports continuous autofocus or tracking, nor do they provide burst shooting modes valuable in sports or wildlife photography.

Real-World Performance: Photography Disciplines Break Down

Let’s delve into how these specifications translate into real-world use across key photography types.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand skin tone accuracy, pleasing bokeh, and reliable focus on faces and eyes.

• TL500:

  • Bright f/1.8 lens allows natural subject separation via shallow depth of field.
  • Manual focus option aids creative control.
  • RAW enables accurate skin tone corrections.
  • Articulating screen benefits unusual angles or selfie portraits.

• ST80:

  • Smaller aperture limits background blur.
  • No face or eye detection autofocus.
  • JPEG-only limits post-processing flexibility.
  • Compactness useful for candid portraits or street interactions.

Verdict: For mature portraiture, the TL500 delivers noticeably better control and image quality.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photography benefits from wide-angle reach, high resolution, and dynamic range.

• TL500:

  • Wider 24mm equivalent lens suits sweeping vistas.
  • Larger sensor captures greater tonal range, rich color, and details.
  • Articulated screen useful in awkward positions.
  • Raw files are advantageous for heavy post-processing.

• ST80:

  • 35mm starting focal length is more restrictive.
  • Higher 14MP may give a slight pixel advantage but limited by smaller sensor and JPEG only.
  • Fixed screen hampers creative composition.

Weather sealing is absent on both, limiting all-weather shooting outdoors without additional protection.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres rely heavily on autofocus speed, burst shooting, and telephoto reach.

Unfortunately, both cameras fall short here:

• Lacking burst modes and continuous AF, the ST80 and TL500 are poorly suited for fast action.
• Limited zoom range (3x max) restricts reach on distant subjects.
• AF contrast detection can be slow and inaccurate in dim or fast scenes.

If your focus is wildlife or sports, these cameras’ limitations mean you should consider more specialized gear.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and quick responsiveness are key.

• ST80 earns points for being truly pocketable and lightweight.

• Touchscreen adds simple, fast interface despite small sensor.

• Lens reach enables moderately versatile street framing.

• TL500, while less pocket-friendly, offers excellent image quality for detail-rich urban shots.

• Articulated screen can help in candid or low-angle shots.

Without a viewfinder, both cameras can struggle under bright sun, but the TL500’s superior screen brightness helps.

Macro Photography

Both share a close focusing distance of 5 cm, enabling decent close-up capabilities.

• The TL500’s fast f/1.8-2.4 aperture provides shallower depth of field and better low-light handling in macro.
• Articulating screen on the TL500 makes composition easier at awkward angles.
• The ST80’s limited aperture and fixed screen constrain creative macro approaches.

Night and Astrophotography

Challenging low-light scenes reveal sensor weaknesses.

• The TL500’s larger sensor and brighter lens deliver cleaner shots and more detail in shadow areas.
• No manual long exposure or bulb modes limit astrophotography.
• The ST80’s sensor noise degrades image quality substantially beyond ISO 400-800.
• Neither camera is optimal for serious night photography.

Video Capabilities

Simple videography is possible but limited by resolution and controls:

The ST80’s HD (720p) video recording with touchscreen focus control offers basic vlogging utility, while the TL500 limits video to VGA resolution, less competitive for modern standards. Neither camera supports external microphones or high frame rates, restricting creative video production.

Battery Life and Storage

• Both utilize proprietary batteries (ST80 uses BP70A, TL500 uses SLB-07A).
• Battery life is average in each category, making charging or spares important for extended outings.
• Storage relies on MicroSD/MicroSDHC (ST80) and SD/SDHC (TL500), typical for compact cameras.

Connectivity and Extras

Sadly, neither camera features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS for seamless image transfer or geotagging, reflecting their age.

Both include HDMI output, allowing full HD photo and video display on compatible TVs.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

At launch, the ST80 retailed around $249, the TL500 near $527. Even adjusted for age and market, the TL500 commands a clear premium due to:

• Larger sensor and better image quality.
• Advanced lens aperture.
• RAW capture support.
• Articulated high-res screen.

However, for basic everyday photography on a budget, the ST80’s compactness and simpler interface may justify the lower price.

Samsung ST80 front Samsung ST80 screen back Samsung TL500 screen back

Visual comparisons from both cameras show the TL500’s superior color fidelity and detail retention, especially in complex lighting, with richer rendition of shadow and highlight details.

Summarizing Strengths and Fit for Purpose

Final Thoughts: Which Samsung Compact Is Right for You?

Choose the Samsung ST80 if:

• You want a truly pocketable and lightweight camera.
• Portability and ease of use trump the need for professional-grade control or image quality.
• Your photography focuses on casual snapshots, travel memory-keeping, and quick point-and-shoot without fuss.
• Budget constraints narrow your options.

Opt for the Samsung TL500 if:

• You crave superior image quality with a larger sensor and wider aperture lens.
• You want greater creative control with manual focus and RAW shooting.
• Portraits, landscapes, and low-light scenes are priorities.
• You need an articulated LCD for flexible shooting angles.
• You value a robust, enthusiast-level compact camera worthy of creative exploration.

Getting the Most From Your Samsung Compact

Whichever camera you pick, mastering its features is key. For the ST80, focus on maximizing daylight shooting, careful framing, and using the optical stabilization to capture steady shots. For the TL500, experiment with manual exposure and focus to fully harness its creative potential. Expand your kit with high-quality SD cards, spare batteries, and perhaps a compact tripod for night and macro photography.

We encourage you to handle both cameras personally if possible, as tactile feel and intuitive controls can decisively influence your shooting joy.

Wrapping Up

Both Samsung’s ST80 and TL500 hold nostalgic value as early 2010s compacts with distinct design philosophies. While technology has marched on since their release, understanding their strengths enhances appreciation for camera evolution and helps beginners grasp key photographic fundamentals.

We hope this detailed comparison empowers your camera decision with expert insights and practical guidance. Ready to capture your next masterpiece? Dive into hands-on trials, explore sample galleries, and start creating today.

Happy shooting!