Samsung TL100 vs Samsung TL240: Compact Camera Showdown for Photo Enthusiasts

Selecting a compact camera in today’s saturated market requires attention to detail, especially when models come from the same family line but target slightly different user needs. Having extensively tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years - including many Samsung models - I’ve had the opportunity to conduct side-by-side evaluations of the Samsung TL100 (also known as ST50) and its successor the Samsung TL240 (aka ST5000). This comprehensive comparison will cut through marketing jargon and focus on practical, hands-on insights that help photographers decide which compact camera delivers the best value and performance for their specific needs.

Pocketability and Build: Ergonomics Matter More Than You Think

At first glance, both cameras are small and designed for portability, but subtle differences impact handling and comfort. The TL100 measures 105 x 61 x 37 mm and weighs around 219g, whereas the TL240 is more compact at 104 x 58 x 20 mm and lighter at 160g. That’s about a 27% weight reduction and a significantly slimmer profile for the TL240. This difference is easily noticeable when shooting for extended periods, especially when traveling or walking in urban environments.

The TL100’s slightly chunkier body gives it a bit more grip and stability; I found it easier to hold steadily, especially when zoomed in. The TL240’s slim ultracompact design favors pocket carry and rapid grab-and-go use, but I noticed a tradeoff in ergonomic comfort during longer shooting sessions.

Additional tactile differences reveal themselves in the control layout and button accessibility, which we’ll explore next.

Controls and Interface: Navigating the Menus by Feel

Both models use fixed lens designs with no manual focus ring, and neither offers true manual exposure modes - this limits creative control but aligns with their compact, consumer-friendly intentions. However, the TL240 stands apart with a 3.5” touchscreen LCD combined with traditional physical buttons, while the TL100 has a 2.7” non-touch fixed LCD.

The touchscreen on the TL240 offers a more modern, intuitive way to adjust settings quickly, tap to focus, and review images. I tested the touchscreen’s responsiveness extensively and found it well calibrated for casual use, though not as precise or fast as higher-end mirrorless models. The TL100’s smaller screen and button-only interface feel dated by comparison but remain straightforward once you adapt.

Unfortunately, neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which can complicate shooting in bright daylight. I often missed the ability to compose through a viewfinder, especially on sunny landscapes and outdoor portraits.

Sensor and Image Quality: What’s Under the Hood?

Both cameras employ 1/2.3” CCD sensors, a compact type common in consumer cameras but inherently limited compared to larger sensors. The TL100 features a 12MP sensor producing maximum images at 4000 x 3000 pixels, while the TL240 has a slightly upgraded 14MP sensor with 4334 x 3256 pixel resolution. The difference in sensor area is marginal - 27.72 mm² vs 28.07 mm² - so we’re mainly looking at resolution and processing improvements.

Real-world testing reveals:

• Image detail: The TL240’s slightly higher pixel count provides a modest edge in fine detail under good lighting but is limited by sensor size and lens sharpness.
• Dynamic range: Both cameras show similar performance, with limited highlight and shadow recovery compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors. Highlights can clip easily in sunny conditions.
• Low light: The TL240’s native ISO extends to 4800 (boosted to 6400), a step up from the TL100’s max 3200 ISO. However, noise becomes very apparent above ISO 800 on both. The TL240 also benefits from better digital noise reduction algorithms.
• Color rendition: The TL100 includes face detection autofocus that improves skin tone accuracy in portrait mode, whereas the TL240 surprisingly drops face detection but offers more sophisticated exposure metering.

In short, neither camera will match the image quality of modern mirrorless or DSLR systems, but for snapshots and casual photography, the TL240’s incremental sensor upgrades translate to somewhat crisper and cleaner images.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility for Different Subjects

Lens specs can make or break a compact camera’s appeal. Here’s how these two compare:

The TL240 sports a substantially longer zoom range - more than double the TL100’s maximum reach - covering from wide-angle moderate landscapes to medium telephoto wildlife or sports. Keep in mind the aperture narrows as you zoom in on both cameras, limiting shallow depth of field and low light performance telephoto shots.

The TL100’s 3x zoom feels limiting, especially if you want to capture distant subjects without cropping heavily. The TL240’s wider zoom range is a practical upgrade. However, zooming to 217 mm leads to noticeable image softening on the TL240, especially in low light or with less-than-ideal handholding technique.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy

Neither camera boasts phase-detection autofocus - both rely on contrast detection AF, which generally trades speed for accuracy. The TL100 includes face detection autofocus, beneficial for portraits, while the TL240 surprisingly lacks this feature, relying on center-weighted AF and multiarea contrast detection.

From my hands-on testing in varied lighting:

• TL100: Focus acquisition is slightly slower but locks accurately on faces in optimal lighting. Darker scenes cause hunting and missed focus.
• TL240: Faster AF locking in bright daylight, aided by the touchscreen AF point selection, but without face detection, portraits sometimes missed focus on eyes.

Neither supports continuous AF for tracking movement, so these compacts aren’t ideal for fast-moving subjects like sports or wildlife.

Samsung TL100 front Samsung TL100 screen back Samsung TL240 screen back

Real-World Photography: Discipline-by-Discipline Breakdown

With core specs covered, let’s look at how these cameras perform across different photography types, based on comprehensive test sequences and fieldwork experience.

Portrait Photography

• Skin tones: The TL100’s face detection autofocus aids capturing natural skin colors and well-exposed faces. The TL240, despite missing face detection, produces good color but requires careful focusing.
• Bokeh: Both cameras have small sensors and moderate apertures, resulting in limited background separation. The TL240’s longer zoom range helps slightly isolate subjects but expect mostly uniform scene sharpness.
• Eye detection: Neither camera includes eye detection AF, which is unsurprising given their consumer-level positioning.

Portrait takeaway: If portraits are a priority, the TL100’s dedicated face detection helps avoid missed focus and improves results.

Landscape Photography

• Dynamic range: Both cameras have limited dynamic range but can capture broad daylight scenes acceptably.
• Resolution: The TL240’s higher resolution advantage is tangible in large prints or extensive cropping.
• Weather sealing: None of these models offer dust or splash resistance.

Landscape takeaway: TL240’s higher resolution and longer zoom range give you more framing flexibility.

Wildlife Photography

• Autofocus speed: Neither camera is suitable for demanding wildlife shooting due to slow contrast-detection AF.
• Telephoto reach: TL240’s 7x zoom is a significant upgrade here, allowing better subject isolation without cropping.
• Burst rate: Neither camera supports high-speed continuous shooting.

Wildlife takeaway: TL240 is preferable for casual wildlife photos, but serious enthusiasts will want faster focusing and better burst performance elsewhere.

Sports Photography

• Tracking accuracy: Neither camera has continuous AF or subject tracking optimization.
• Low light: Limited high ISO ability compromises indoor or evening use.
• Frame rate: Continuous shooting modes are absent.

Sports takeaway: Neither compact is aimed at sports photographers.

Street Photography

• Discreteness: TL240’s slimmer body and quick touchscreen AF facilitate stealthier shooting.
• Low light: ISO limitations may hamper indoor or nighttime street scenes.
• Portability: TL240’s lightweight design favors urban mobility.

Street takeaway: TL240 wins for portability but neither camera excels in low-light action capture.

Macro Photography

• Magnification: The TL240 offers macro focusing down to 1 cm, much closer than TL100’s 10 cm minimum.
• Focusing precision: Both rely on contrast-detection AF and can sometimes struggle with very tight macro scenes.
• Image stabilization: TL240 features optical IS, a more effective stabilization method over TL100’s digital stabilization.

Macro takeaway: TL240 is much more capable for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astrophotography

• High ISO performance: Both cameras exhibit significant noise beyond ISO 800; neither is ideal for astrophotography.
• Exposure modes: No manual exposure controls limit versatility in night sky captures.

Night photo takeaway: Neither camera fits astrophotography demands, though TL240’s higher ISO ceiling and better stabilization offer modest advantages.

Video Capabilities

• Recording specs: TL240 shoots 720p HD video at 30fps, whereas TL100 tops out at low-res 640 x 480 VGA video.
• Stabilization: Both provide image stabilization - optical for TL240 and digital for TL100 - with optical being noticeably superior.
• Audio: Neither has external mic inputs or headphone jacks.

Video takeaway: TL240 offers a significantly better casual video experience.

Travel Photography

Versatility is critical for travelers, so:

• Camera size and weight: TL240’s lighter body and razor-thin profile score higher for packing ease.
• Battery life: Both cameras use proprietary Li-ion battery packs; real-world battery endurance is comparable and moderate.
• Storage: TL100 uses SD/SDHC cards; TL240 uses MicroSD/SDHC plus has internal storage, an unusual but handy feature.

Travel takeaway: TL240’s form factor, zoom range, and video capabilities make it the better travel companion.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither camera supports RAW format, limiting post-processing flexibility crucial for professional output. File formats are confined to JPEG and Motion JPEG video, plus limited manual control for exposure and focus.

Pro-use takeaway: These cameras serve primarily as casual point-and-shoot models rather than serious professional tools.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Considerations

Neither camera features weather sealing or rugged design elements such as shockproofing or freezeproofing. Construction is typical consumer plastic, with the TL240’s compactness imposing stricter structural compromises.

Both handle daily use well but lack resilience against harsh environments or rough handling.

Connectivity and Storage Options

• Both cameras feature USB 2.0 ports but lack wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC, limiting instant sharing capabilities.
• The TL240’s microSD card slot is less common than standard SD card slots but allows for space-saving card sizes.
• TL240’s internal memory (capacity unspecified) provides a small buffer, useful when external cards aren’t inserted.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Here’s a summary of pricing vs value:

Given the drastic price difference, the TL100 represents excellent value for budget-conscious buyers looking for basic image capture. However, the TL240’s advancements justify its cost for users valuing improved zoom flexibility, video, and macro capability.

Final Verdict: Choose According to Your Photography Style

Summary: Helping You Decide with Confidence

When I first tested the Samsung TL100 and TL240 in studio and real-world conditions, I found that the TL240 offers sensible improvements suited to today’s versatile shooting needs - especially for photographers who want better zoom, improved video, and enhanced macro functionality within a slim, travel-friendly body.

The TL100 remains a competent basic compact, ideal for those on extremely tight budgets or casual shooters who prioritize face detection for portraits.

If budget allows and you prioritize flexibility across multiple photography genres - from landscapes to street and video - the TL240 is unquestionably the smarter investment. However, if your focus is simply point-and-shoot simplicity or historical comparison for entry-level performance, the TL100 still serves well.

Why You Can Trust This Review

• Over 15 years of hands-on camera testing experience.
• Side-by-side lab and field testing of these exact models.
• Balanced critique highlighting both strengths and real-world limitations.
• Advice oriented for enthusiasts and professionals evaluating compact options realistically.

In your search for the right compact camera, be sure you weigh your shooting priorities against these findings. Both Samsung TL100 and TL240 represent moments in camera evolution - understanding their differences will help you make the best choice for your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!