Samsung TL500 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cam Classics

When you’re on a budget but still hungry for a capable compact camera, the landscape is littered with options both enticing and perplexing. Today, I’ll walk you through two such contenders from the tail end of the 2000s: Samsung’s TL500 (also known as the EX1) and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-S930. Both were designed as compact shooters with small sensors, appealing to enthusiasts hunting for portability without totally sacrificing quality.

I’ve spent well over a decade testing numerous compacts and pocket cameras, covering every conceivable shooting discipline - from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and video. Using that experience, this side-by-side will guide you not only by the spec sheet but by how these cameras perform in real-world scenarios. Grab a cup of coffee; let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of these two relics and reveal which one might still hold worth today.

First Impressions: Size, Style, and Ergonomics

Starting with the tangible, physical feel - this matters a lot for daily usability.

The Samsung TL500 is clearly chunkier and a bit heavier (386g vs Sony’s featherweight 167g) compared to the Sony S930. Its wider body and more substantial grip lend it greater confidence in hand, especially for longer shooting sessions. I’m a fan of cameras that feel like they belong in your hands, not ones you’re fearful of dropping at the slightest nudge. The Samsung’s body dimensions (114 x 63 x 29 mm) present a more solid footprint compared to Sony’s slender 90 x 61 x 26 mm.

The Sony, meanwhile, is built with portability as king. It slips comfortably into a jacket pocket or small bag. If you’re a street photographer or casual snapper who dislikes bulk, the Sony’s slim profile is appealing. But don’t expect much in the way of deep clubs-for-thumbs ergonomics here: its tiny weight and minimal grip mean less control in tricky conditions.

Control Layout and User Interface: What Goes Where?

The best camera in the world can feel awkward if buttons and dials aren’t well placed.

Samsung’s TL500 impresses here with a more elaborate top control panel featuring dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - very rare in this compact class. That means quicker access to creative controls like aperture priority and manual exposure without diving deep into menus, which I personally found liberating when shooting outdoors or on the fly.

Sony’s S930 opts for simplicity. The lack of aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual exposure modes reflects its more beginner-friendly, point-and-shoot orientation. No dedicated dials. Plus, no exposure compensation or white balance adjustments let you customize via the menus - less efficient when you want creative control. Sony does include a modest 9-point AF system, but with no advanced targeting options, it's quite basic.

Samsung’s fully articulated 3-inch screen is another nice touch, ideal for tricky angles and self-portraits - a rarity back in 2010 for this camera class. Sony’s 2.4-inch screen is fixed and far lower resolution, which can make reviewing images and menu navigation feel cramped.

The Samsung’s screen resolution (614k dots) beats Sony’s measly 112k dots hands down. Being able to truly see details on your display saves you countless retakes - a huge practical plus.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Any Camera

Let’s talk about those buried gadgets that actually capture the image.

Both cameras feature small CCD sensors, roughly 10MP in resolution. But the Samsung TL500 packs a slightly larger 1/1.7" sensor compared to Sony's 1/2.3" sensor. What does that mean in practice? The bigger sensor area of Samsung (41.52 mm² vs Sony’s 28.07 mm²) translates into better light gathering ability, less noise at higher ISOs, and a generally cleaner image with more dynamic range.

Samsung’s sensor yields measurable advantages - based on DxO Mark data - with a dynamic range of 11.1 EV stops and a color depth of 19.2 bits, versus unknown but undoubtedly lower scores for Sony’s untested sensor. Samsung’s native ISO maxes out at 3200, with better low-light ISO performance (DxO low light ISO 129), while Sony, though also rated to ISO 3200, tends to get muddy at anything above ISO 400 in my testing.

Color depth and tonal transitions also swing in Samsung’s favor, yielding skin tones and landscapes with smoother gradations and less digital artifacting. The CCD technology on both is known for nice color rendition, but Samsung’s better sensor and lens combo enable more detail and less grain in darker conditions.

Lens Performance and Reach: Aperture and Zoom

Let’s look at the optics attached, because lens quality often shapes your final images more than anything else.

Samsung TL500 sports a 24-72mm equivalent (3x zoom) fixed lens with impressively bright apertures (f/1.8 at wide, f/2.4 telephoto). This wide aperture outperforms Sony’s 38-108mm (2.8x zoom) lens with slower f/2.9-5.4 apertures. Wide aperture lenses aren’t just about low light - they allow more control over depth of field (DoF), creating blurry backgrounds and emphasizing subjects in portraits.

Samsung’s wide focal range starting at 24mm is prime for interiors and landscapes, whereas Sony’s more telephoto-biased 38-108mm range limits wide-angle framing.

Here’s a nice reminder of that:

• Samsung TL500: Wider angle for sweeping landscapes or street photography, plus bright glass for shallow DOF effects.
• Sony S930: Limited wide-angle, better for casual snaps or close-up portraits with moderate zoom.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

In mid-air action or wildlife, speed and accuracy of autofocus (AF) and burst rates challenge compact cameras. Both these cameras lag here, but with differences.

Samsung TL500 employs contrast detection AF with center-weighted and multi-area options. Its AF speed is decent for a compact of its era but limited - no continuous AF or tracking modes means stationary subjects are easier to capture than running kids or furry critters. No face or eye detection is a big miss for the 2010 period.

The Sony S930 is a step behind with a basic 9-point contrast-detection system lacking face detection and no continuous AF mode. Autofocus hunts slowly in low light, and its max burst is a sluggish 2 fps - not great for action sequences.

In normal daylight conditions for casual shooting, both suffice. But if you’re targeting wildlife or sports, neither camera excels, though Samsung’s slightly larger sensor and better lens will help in freezing motion.

Video Capabilities: Does Either Double as a Videographer’s Buddy?

Both cameras offer video modes, but the TL500’s capabilities are closer to usable.

Samsung provides 640x480 (VGA) resolution at 30fps encoded in H.264, a relatively advanced codec for the time, creating smoother, more efficient videos. However, no microphone jack or headphone port limits audio enhancement.

Sony’s video maxes out at 320x240 at 30fps, in Motion JPEG (MJPEG) format, resulting in larger files and lower quality. When watching footage from the S930, expect grainier and less detailed footage, poor low-light sensitivity, and limited dynamic control.

Neither camera supports 4K, and neither has optical image stabilization specifically engaged for video, so handheld shots can shake noticeably - though Samsung’s optical stabilization helps a little.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The Samsung TL500 uses a rechargeable Lithium-ion SLB-07A battery. Sony runs on generic 2 x AA batteries. The tradeoff:

• Samsung’s proprietary battery allows for longer-lasting sessions (I’d estimate ~300 shots per charge under standard CIPA conditions), yet comes with the downside of needing to carry spares or charge frequently.
• Sony’s AA implementation gives flexibility - you can grab alkalines anywhere when the camera dies, but expect fewer shots per set (~180-200). For long trips without recharge options, Sony may be preferable overall.

Storage-wise, Samsung uses SD/SDHC cards while Sony uses Memory Stick Duo variants, which are smaller ecosystem-wise and costlier.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Can They Take a Beating?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dust, water, or shock resistance. As budget compacts, they have typical plastic build quality common for their price points at release.

If rough hiking or adverse conditions are on your agenda, you’d want a more rugged model altogether.

Sample Images and Real-World Shooting Results

I captured portraits, landscape vistas, street scenes, and close-ups in varied lighting to test each camera’s metering, color reproduction, bokeh, and detail retention.

Samsung TL500 screen back Sony S930 front Sony S930 screen back

• Portraits: Samsung’s wider aperture and better dynamic range render skin tones very pleasing with gentle background blur. Sony’s images are flatter with less separation due to smaller aperture.
• Landscapes: The wider 24mm focal length on Samsung allowed more expansive framing - you lose that with Sony’s 38mm start. Samsung images show less noise in shadow details.
• Street: Samsung is less pocketable but focuses quicker; Sony’s slim design wins here for street photography portability.
• Macro: Both reach ~5cm minimum focusing distance; Samsung’s optical image stabilization helps get sharper close-ups.
• Night: Samsung’s cleaner high-ISO images easily beat Sony’s noisy, blurred shots at ISO 800 and beyond.

Performance Ratings - The Whole Package

Summing up the evaluations with an industry-standard scoring breakdown:

• Samsung TL500 overall score: Solid 40 points on DxO scale for its sensor and optics combination
• Sony S930: No formal DxO rating but estimated considerably lower

Genre-Specific Strengths and Weaknesses

Here’s a handy chart illustrating how each camera performs in different photography types:

Putting It All Together: Who Should Buy Which?

Why Pick the Samsung TL500?

• You want a compact but robust camera with better image quality for portraits, landscapes, and low light.
• You like manual controls and creative freedom with aperture/shutter dials.
• You value a fully articulated screen for versatile shooting angles.
• You want an optically stabilized lens with wide apertures for shallow depth of field.
• You're okay with carrying a slightly heavier, chunkier camera.

When the Sony DSC-S930 Makes Sense

• You prioritize absolute pocket portability and lighter weight.
• Your shooting style is casual, simple point-and-shoot, and you don’t fuss over control settings.
• You want a camera that uses easily replaceable AA batteries for travel without charging gear.
• You are on a tight budget and prefer something cheap and cheerful for snapshots.
• You value Memory Stick Duo cards already in possession (rare but possible).

Pros and Cons Recap

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Pick Today?

After extensive hands-on testing, I’d lean towards the Samsung TL500 if your budget stretches far enough and you want a compact camera that punches well above its weight in image quality, low light performance, and creative control. It remains relevant for enthusiasts who value better lenses and sensor performance in a small package.

However, if you’re a cheapskate or prioritize ultra-portability above all else - and don’t mind compromises on image quality and controls - the Sony S930 remains a nifty snapshot machine for casual everyday use.

While neither camera matches the performance of recent compacts or mirrorless systems, understanding their inherent strengths helps you find a match based on your specific needs and shooting style.

Remember, photography gear is only as good as how it works for you. Hopefully, this detailed comparison gives you clear, actionable insights to make the right choice between these two pocketable relics.

Happy shooting!