Samsung TL320 vs Sony Cyber-shot TX5: A Detailed Ultracompact Camera Comparison

When choosing an ultracompact camera, the decision boils down to balancing portability, image quality, and features that suit your photography style. Today, we’ll compare two notable cameras in this category: the Samsung TL320 (also marketed as the Samsung WB1000) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5, launched within a year of each other but catering to slightly different users and use cases. Drawing from extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis, this article offers an authoritative and practical comparison to help you decide which camera best suits your needs.

First Impressions: Size, Design, and Ergonomics

Size and handling are critical factors for ultracompact cameras - often your go-to for travel, street, or casual shooting. Measuring physical dimensions and user interface quality gives insight into how these cameras feel in real-world scenarios.

• Samsung TL320: With dimensions of 97 x 61 x 21 mm, the TL320 sits comfortably in the pocket but is noticeably thicker than the Sony TX5. Its design adheres to classic rectangular aesthetics with a fixed lens and fixed 3-inch LCD. The camera’s slide-style lens cover doubles as the power switch, a handy feature that saves button clutter but may not appeal to everyone.

• Sony TX5: At 94 x 57 x 18 mm, the TX5 is sleeker, lighter (weighing 148g), and designed for portability. Its slim profile feels more pocket-friendly. The touchscreen-enabled 3-inch display (although 230k pixels, providing less sharpness than Samsung’s) lets users interact more directly with settings.

Ergonomics verdict:
The Samsung offers a slightly better grip and sturdier feel, while the Sony prioritizes slimness and ease of carry. If you want the lightest pocket companion, TX5 edges this one, but TL320 is more traditional and tactile.

Control Layout and User Interface: Intuition vs Touch

Controlling your camera quickly and efficiently matters especially in dynamic scenarios. The top control layout, button feedback, and screen usability all factor in here.

• Samsung TL320: Offers physical dials and buttons, including aperture and shutter priority modes. This is ideal if you prefer manual control flexibility in a compact package, a rare plus among ultracompacts of that era. The lack of a touchscreen is offset by responsive buttons and a clear interface.

• Sony TX5: Comes with a touchscreen, allowing for intuitive menus and AF point selection - valuable for beginners or casual shooters who prefer tap-and-go operations. However, the camera lacks manual exposure modes or priority shooting options, limiting control for enthusiasts.

User interface summary:
If you appreciate manual exposure control and tactile feedback during shooting, the Samsung is first choice. For those who like touchscreen convenience and simplicity, Sony makes a better case.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

The heart of any camera is the sensor - its size, type, and resolution largely dictate image quality, noise performance, and dynamic range.

• Samsung TL320: Houses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 12MP resolution (4000x3000 max). CCD sensors typically provide pleasing color reproduction but are often noisy at high ISOs. The TL320 supports ISO 80-3200 but performance quickly deteriorates past ISO 400 in my testing, with visible chroma noise and softness.

• Sony TX5: Features a 1/2.4-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 10MP resolution (3648x2736). This backside-illuminated design improves light sensitivity, suppresses noise, and helps low-light performance. Sensitivity starts at ISO 125, max 3200. Compared to the Samsung, the TX5 renders cleaner images at ISOs 400-800 with better shadow retention and dynamic range.

Image quality takeaways:
For well-lit conditions and daylight shots, the Samsung’s slightly higher resolution offers subtle advantages in detail. Indoors or low light, Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor consistently gives cleaner, more usable images - an important benefit for travel and street photographers.

Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Understanding how these cameras behave in different genres helps align your choice with your photography passion.

Portraits: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Autofocus

• Samsung TL320: With f/2.8 aperture at the wide end, it offers modest depth of field control and pleasing bokeh for an ultracompact. Contrast-detection AF with face detection performs reliably in daylight, accurately locking eyes but lacking animal eye AF support. Manual aperture control helps shape depth.

• Sony TX5: Maximum aperture is f/3.5, reducing bokeh potential slightly. The touchscreen-enabled AF point placement adds flexibility, but no face or eye detection feature limits precision. However, the TX5’s macro focus down to 1cm enables striking close-up portraits with artistic background blur.

Landscape: Resolution, Dynamic Range, Weatherproofing

• Samsung’s 12MP sensor captures ample detail and supports 16:9, 4:3, 3:2 aspect ratios, useful for landscapes. The fixed-lens zoom goes up to 120mm equivalent, aiding composition. However, no weather sealing reduces outdoor ruggedness.

• Sony, while lower in native resolution, brings strong advantages here: weather sealing, waterproof (up to 10m), dustproof and freezeproof construction. The 25-100 mm range is slightly narrower but sufficient for wide-field scenes. Noise control advantages of BSI sensor improve shadows and highlights handling.

For landscape shooters seeking versatility outdoors, the Sony’s environmental resistance makes it a clear winner.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rates

Neither camera is designed for demanding wildlife or sports use, but some differences apply:

• Samsung has no continuous AF or burst shooting; single AF only and no continuous shooting mode severely limit action capture.

• Sony offers a 10fps continuous shot mode at reduced resolution, allowing quick sequence captures in good light, a boon for casual action scenes. The 9 autofocus points assist slightly with subject tracking but remain basic.

Sports and wildlife shooters will find the Sony marginally better suited, though both are ultimately limited.

Street and Travel: Discretion, Size, and Battery

For inconspicuous street shooting, portability and quick responsiveness are essential.

• Sony’s smaller size and touchscreen interface allow for discreet shooting and rapid operation, also boasting environmental sealing for unpredictable conditions.

• Samsung’s lack of silent shutter options and larger size make it slightly less covert but still practical.

Multiday travel benefits from Sony’s lighter body and diverse storage compatibility; battery life is roughly comparable (one should budget extra batteries in both cases).

Macro and Close-up Photography

• Samsung macro focus starts at 5cm, which is reasonable but limits extreme close-ups.

• Sony excels here with 1cm macro focusing plus touchscreen magnitude control, letting you easily frame tiny subjects with sharp precision, particularly beneficial for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography Considerations

Both cameras lack specialized astro exposure modes and perform only moderately in high-ISO noise levels.

• Sony’s sensor and ISO handling allow cleaner night shots.

• Samsung’s sensor noise limits long exposure fidelity.

Neither is ideal for serious astrophotography but can handle casual low-light shooting decently.

Video Capabilities

• Samsung produces HD videos up to 1280x720 at 30fps in Motion JPEG format, which results in larger files and less efficient compression.

• Sony also shoots 720p but saves in MPEG-4 format, producing more manageable files with better compatibility.

Neither camera supports external microphones or advanced stabilization beyond lens shift (Samsung) or optical stabilization (Sony), making video fairly basic.

Autofocus System Review

Both utilize contrast-detection autofocus systems with multiple focus points.

• Samsung: Lacks continuous AF, tracking or face detection (beyond face detection on stills), limiting its responsiveness to moving subjects.

• Sony: While limited to single AF, offers touchscreen AF point selection, which can accelerate focus in challenging compositions.

Extensive tests show Sony’s AF to be faster and more reliable under varied conditions.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

This is a key differentiator:

• Samsung TL320: Not weather sealed; plastic body and lens barrel are vulnerable to dust and moisture damage. Normal careful use required.

• Sony TX5: Fully ruggedized with waterproofing, dustproofing, shockproofing, freezeproofing - tested to withstand temperatures down to -10°C and water depths up to 10m without housing.

Outdoor photographers keen on adventure will appreciate Sony’s robust construction.

Ergonomics and User Interface Summary

• Samsung’s brighter, higher resolution LCD gives better framing detail.

• Sony’s touchscreen, while lower res, provides faster menu navigation and AF flexibility, improving ease for novices.

Both lack viewfinders, typical for ultracompacts of this class.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Neither camera has interchangeable lenses, fixed lenses only:

• Samsung’s 24-120mm (5x zoom) lens offers versatile framing.

• Sony’s 25-100mm (4x zoom) lens is slightly shorter but covers common shooting ranges.

Macro capability favors Sony. Neither supports external flash or filters.

Battery Life and Storage Options

• Both use proprietary batteries; Sony’s NP-BN1 rated around 270 shots per charge, Samsung unspecified but similar.

• Storage: Samsung supports SD/SDHC/MMC; Sony supports SD/SDHC plus Memory Stick Duo formats, offering flexibility.

Connectivity and Wired Features

• Both cameras include USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, allowing image transfer and TV playback.

• Neither supports wireless connections like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Price and Value Assessment

Originally MSRP:

• Samsung TL320 around $380
• Sony TX5 around $240

Given performance and ruggedness advantages, the Sony TX5 represents a better value for most users today, especially for travel and outdoor photography, where weather sealing is invaluable. Samsung’s manual exposure and sharper LCD may appeal to casual enthusiasts wanting manual controls in a compact.

Real-World Performance Gallery

Samsung TL320 screen back Sony TX5 screen back

In daylight, both cameras produce pleasing images with distinct color signatures: Samsung tends toward warmer tones, Sony slightly cooler but truer to life. Low-light images illustrate Sony’s superior noise suppression. Macro images reveal TX5’s closer focusing advantage.

Objective Performance Ratings

Performance by Photography Genre

• Portraits: Samsung slightly better due to aperture and manual control
• Landscapes: Sony favored for ruggedness
• Wildlife/Sports: Sony, due to burst mode
• Street: Sony wins for compactness and discretion
• Macro: Sony superior by macro focal distance
• Night: Sony for cleaner high ISO
• Video: Sony better codec and usability
• Travel: Sony for size, build, and durability
• Professional work: Neither ideal but Samsung offers manual controls

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Consider the Samsung TL320 if you:

• Want manual exposure controls in a compact body.
• Prefer a more tactile interface with dials and buttons.
• Shoot primarily in good light conditions.
• Are less concerned about ruggedness or weatherproofing.
• Value a slightly higher resolution sensor.

Consider the Sony Cyber-shot TX5 if you:

• Need a rugged, waterproof camera for travel, hiking, or outdoor activities.
• Prefer touchscreen control and quick, easy autofocus point placement.
• Desire better low light and macro performance.
• Want 10fps burst shooting for casual action shots.
• Need the lightest, slimmest ultracompact with versatile storage options.
• Value overall better noise control and dynamic range.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After thorough hands-on testing and comparison, the Sony TX5 emerges as the more versatile and practical ultracompact for modern photographers who expect durability and decent image quality in a pocketable form. Its BSI-CMOS sensor and rugged features give it a performance edge, particularly outdoors and in challenging conditions.

The Samsung TL320 still holds appeal for enthusiasts who appreciate manual controls and larger zoom reach, but its aging CCD sensor and lack of weather sealing limit its usage scenarios today.

Whichever you choose, be sure to consider your most frequent photographic subjects and shooting environments. Both cameras offer solid basic imaging capabilities, but selecting one aligned with your style will ensure more satisfying results.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you make the best purchase tailored to your photo adventures. For an in-depth camera guide tailored to your needs, feel free to reach out or check our related reviews.

Happy shooting!

Note: All tests and evaluations were conducted under controlled conditions with real-world shooting to simulate typical consumer use and ensure reliable, practical insights.