Samsung TL350 vs. Sony Cyber-shot TX10: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown

Choosing the right compact camera can feel like navigating a maze - especially when models like the 2010 Samsung TL350 and the 2011 Sony Cyber-shot TX10 enter the ring. Both cameras target enthusiasts who demand more than a smartphone but less bulk than a DSLR. Having spent countless hours testing dozens of compacts and ultracompacts through a variety of real-world scenarios and lab benchmarks, I’m excited to share a detailed, experience-driven comparison that cuts through marketing jargon and zeroes in on what truly matters.

Whether you’re chasing sharp portraits, capturing a rugged outdoor adventure, or just want a reliable travel companion - this in-depth analysis covers every corner. I’ll break down sensor tech, ergonomics, autofocus, image quality, video, and more, delivering clear-cut insights based on hands-on testing and industry-standard criteria. By the end, you’ll have a sound understanding of which model serves your shooting style best.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Sizes, Feel, and Handling

Size and ergonomics often shape the shooting experience before we even test image quality. The TL350 is a compact ‘small sensor compact,’ while the TX10 leans heavily into the ultracompact territory - nearly pocket-sized with rugged credentials.

Right out of the box, the Samsung TL350 feels more substantial with dimensions of 100 × 59 × 22 mm and weighs 195 grams. It sports a textured grip that honestly helps confidence during one-handed shooting. Meanwhile, the Sony TX10 is lighter (133 grams) and smaller (96 × 56 × 18 mm), prioritizing portability even over tactile comfort.

On paper, the ergonomic difference may seem minimal - less than 10 grams and a few millimeters - but in hands-on use, it’s palpable. The TL350’s chunkier body suits photographers who prize handling over subtlety. The TX10 appeals if pocketability and stealth are paramount, such as street or travel photographers.

To complement this observation, the layout and control design also tell an important story.

The TL350 offers traditional exposure controls including shutter and aperture priority modes and manual exposure - great for those who want creative input on-the-fly. Physical dials and buttons provide fast access without diving into menus.

By contrast, the TX10 skews toward simplicity - no manual exposure modes, touchscreen controls, and fewer physical buttons to streamline operation. While that compromises some creative flexibility, it benefits beginners or casual shooters favoring straightforward usage.

Ergonomically, both cameras avoid complex menus. However, my long testing shows that TL350 users get more satisfying control in challenging light or dynamic shooting environments, where instant adjustments are key.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size, Resolution, and Noise Performance

Most photographers seek sharp, clean images regardless of genre. The sensor is the heart of a camera’s IQ potential - let’s look under the hood.

Both cameras house a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor - a popular small format in compacts - but with key distinctions:

• Samsung TL350: 10MP resolution (3648 × 2736 pixels), traditional CMOS sensor.
• Sony TX10: 16MP resolution (4608 × 3456 pixels) BSI-CMOS sensor.

What does this mean in practice?

The Sony TX10 benefits from its Backside-Illuminated (BSI) design, which improves light gathering efficiency, especially in dim conditions. Higher pixel count of 16MP increases detail potential but also risks more noise per pixel at high ISOs. Meanwhile, the Samsung’s older 10MP sensor yields somewhat cleaner, albeit lower-resolution images in low light.

Through lab testing and side-by-side shooting, the TX10 delivers vibrant and detailed output in good lighting, with noticeable sharpness edge due to resolution advantage. However, at ISO 800 and above, noise levels climb sharply, reducing usable detail. TL350’s images maintain smoother appearance at moderate ISOs (up to 400–800) but can lack the fine details the TX10 offers.

Neither model is a low-light champion by today’s standards, but the TX10’s BSI sensor represents a step forward technology-wise. That said, Sony’s image-processing leans toward punchier colors and higher contrast, which appeals for general use but can feel less natural for careful portrait and landscape work.

Samsung’s manual exposure mode and RAW support partially offset its sensor limitations by giving photographers flexibility in post-processing - an advantage the Sony lacks as it offers only JPEG output. For users at the enthusiast level or above, RAW gives TL350 greater creative latitude.

Viewing and Composing: LCDs and Viewfinders

The absence of viewfinders means the rear LCDs are your window to composition - critical for both bright outdoor and dim indoor scenes.

The TL350 sports a 3-inch fixed LCD with 920k-dot resolution, while the TX10 features a similarly sized 3-inch screen but with slightly higher 921k-dot "XtraFine" technology and touchscreen capabilities.

In side-by-side daylight shooting conditions, the Sony’s LCD impresses with superior brightness and color accuracy, aided by touch focus and menu navigation - something I grew to appreciate during quick street shoots. The Samsung screen is sharp but darker, which can be frustrating under harsh sunlight requiring shading.

If you value tactile input over touchscreen responsiveness, the TL350 keeps controls physical, consistent, and distraction-free. The TX10’s touchscreen offers fun novelty but can be prone to fingerprints and sometimes slower menu response times. Personal preference dictates here.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Responsiveness

Speedy, reliable autofocus (AF) remains essential, whether you’re photographing wildlife, sports, or spontaneous moments. Both cameras use contrast-detection AF, inherently slower than phase detection but typical for compacts of this era.

• Samsung TL350: Single AF mode with a center-weighted AF point, no face or advanced tracking detection.
• Sony TX10: 9 AF points, contrast detection, touch-focus available but no face-detection AF.

In my practical tests, both systems handle static subjects well under good light, locking focus in under half a second - solid, but not blisteringly fast. Neither excels at continuous AF or AF tracking, which limits their use for fast sports or wildlife action.

The TX10, with its multi-area AF and touch focus, offers a bit more flexibility for framing creative compositions, especially for macro and close-up work where precision is crucial. TL350 users rely on the center weighted AF, which can frustrate when off-center focus is needed.

On burst mode, both perform equally at 10 fps, but buffer sizes are limited, allowing only a handful of shots before slowing - fair for casual sequences but far from professional sports shooters' demands.

Lens and Optics: Focal Length, Aperture, and Macro

Lens quality impacts everything from sharpness to creative framing. Both cameras feature non-interchangeable zoom lenses but differ slightly in specs.

• Samsung TL350: 24-120mm equivalent (5× zoom), aperture f/2.4-5.8, macro as close as 5 cm.
• Sony TX10: 25-100mm equivalent (4× zoom), aperture f/3.5-4.6, macro as close as 1 cm.

The TL350’s wider lens aperture at the short end (f/2.4) offers a noticeable edge in low light and enables somewhat shallower depth of field for subject isolation - valuable for portraits or artistic shots. The longer zoom range (up to 120mm) gives more framing flexibility for casual telephoto use.

Conversely, the TX10’s lens shines in macro work, allowing sharp capture from as close as 1 cm - truly impressive for capturing fine details like flowers or insects. The 4× zoom covers most everyday needs but with a narrower aperture range, leading to a more modest low-light performance.

Sharpness and distortion are commendably controlled on both lenses, though edge softness creeps in at full telephoto on the TL350. Sony’s lens exhibits slightly less vignetting and chromatic aberration at wide angles.

Overall, photography enthusiasts will find the TL350 better suited for portraiture and general shooting, while the TX10 excels in macrophotography and casual travel snaps.

Durability and Build: Weather Sealing and Ruggedness

A point where the TX10 clearly distinguishes itself is rugged build quality. It’s weather sealed against dust and moisture, shockproof and freezeproof as well.

Samsung’s TL350 offers no environmental sealing or special protections. It’s a typical compact camera built primarily for controlled environments and gentle use.

If you’re an outdoor photographer who frequently shoots in challenging weather - hiking, beach trips, winter landscapes - the TX10’s resilience is a game-changer. No need for extra protective gear or worrying about a sudden rain shower or accidental drops.

For urban and studio photographers, TL350’s build is sufficient. Its more conventional design offers tactile comfort over rugged portability.

Video Capabilities: Shooting Moving Images

Both cameras finally step into Full HD video territory but with different approaches and limitations.

• Samsung TL350: 1080p at 30 fps (H.264), plus 720p and lower resolutions; no 4K support; no external mic input.
• Sony TX10: 1080p at 60 fps (AVCHD, MPEG-4, H.264), plus 720p and lower resolutions; no 4K; no external mic.

The key difference lies in frame rate and codec versatility. The TX10’s ability to shoot 1080p at 60fps opens doors to smoother slow-motion playback and more polished video clips. Its codecs (particularly AVCHD) provide better quality preservation, important for enthusiasts wanting decent post-production options.

Samsung’s TL350 caps at 30 fps, which is perfectly serviceable but less versatile for video-centric users.

Neither camera records audio via external mics, limiting pro-level sound quality. Also, both lack advanced video stabilization beyond optical image stabilization.

I found the TX10’s touchscreen aids in switching focus during video, a practical benefit for run-and-gun shooters. TL350’s manual exposure control can be useful for video creatives needing consistent exposure levels.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery life was modest across both models, with average real-use ratings around 200–250 shots per charge - typical for compact cameras of the early 2010s but low by today’s standards. This limits extended trips without spares.

• TL350 uses Samsung SLB-11A batteries.
• TX10 uses Sony NP-BN1 batteries.

Storage-wise:

• TL350: Accepts SD/SDHC cards, has some internal storage.
• TX10: Offers support for SD/SDHC/SDXC and various Memory Stick formats - more versatile.

USB 2.0 connectivity and HDMI ports on both facilitate easy data transfer and on-TV playback.

On wireless connections, only the Sony TX10 supports WiFi through Eye-Fi card compatibility, enabling some remote image transfer options - a mild advantage in today’s connected world.

Real-World Photo Gallery: What These Cameras Deliver

After extensive shooting sessions in portrait, street, landscape, and macro conditions, here are some sample images from both cameras illustrating strengths and limitations.

Samsung TL350 front Samsung TL350 screen back Sony TX10 front Sony TX10 screen back

• The TL350 yields warm, natural skin tones and offers decent background blur at wider apertures - good for portraits in daylight.
• The Sony TX10 captures highly detailed close-ups with vivid color saturation but struggles a bit with noise and dynamic range in shadows.
• Landscapes shot with both reveal fine detail preservation, though TL350 slightly edges out in tonal gradations.
• Macro images from TX10 impress due to close focusing distance, revealing textures you wouldn’t catch on TL350.

This side-by-side visual comparison underscores the complementary nature of these two models rather than outright supremacy.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings and Verdict Scores

To summarize the testing data across core criteria, here are overall scorecards based on extensive hands-on evaluation, image quality benchmarks, and user experience factors.

• Samsung TL350 scores highest in handling, exposure control, and image processing flexibility thanks to RAW.
• Sony TX10 excels in compactness, sensor resolution, macro performance, and ruggedness.
• Both score closely in video, autofocus speed, and burst photo rates.

Which Camera Is Best for Your Photography Discipline?

Diving into genre-specific expectations clarifies how these cameras slot into various use cases.

• Portrait Photography: TL350 (manual exposure, wider aperture) wins for skin tone rendering and bokeh.
• Landscape: Slight edge to TL350 for dynamic range control, but TX10 seals deal with weather sealing for harsh environments.
• Wildlife: Neither ideal; TL350’s longer zoom gives a slight edge, but slow AF is limiting.
• Sports: Both limited by AF speed; neither recommended.
• Street: TX10’s compactness and discrete profile make it better for candid shots.
• Macro: Clear TX10 winner with superior close-focus range.
• Night/Astro: Neither built for advanced astro; TL350’s manual modes help with basics.
• Video: TX10’s 60fps 1080p output wins.
• Travel: TX10 favored for portability and durability.
• Professional Work: TL350’s RAW and manual controls provide more integration flexibility.

Closing Thoughts and Recommendations

Having pushed both cameras through demanding tests and everyday use, I appreciate what each brings to the table.

Choose the Samsung TL350 if:

• You value manual controls and RAW shooting for creative freedom.
• Portrait and landscape photography dominate your interests.
• You want a solid grip and classic camera feel.
• You don’t mind a slightly larger camera body.

Opt for the Sony TX10 if:

• Portability and ruggedness are your top priorities.
• Macro photography excites you.
• You want smoother Full HD video (1080p 60fps).
• You shoot in environments where dust, moisture, or cold are concerns.

Neither camera is an advanced shooter by today’s standards but both remain capable tools for enthusiasts wanting affordable, compact options. Samsung’s TL350 appeals more to hobbyists who want to flex their exposure muscles, while Sony’s TNX10 is a weathertight, easy-to-carry companion packing a surprising punch for its size.

Photography should be as enjoyable as it is creative, and picking equipment that feels right in your hands while meeting your artistic goals matters most. I hope this detailed comparison gives you the confidence to make an informed choice. For compact camera buyers balancing budget, portability, and capability around the 300–400 USD range, the TL350 and TX10 remain worthy contenders.

Happy shooting!