Samsung WB850F vs Sony Cyber-shot TX9: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera can be daunting - especially when two models seem to appeal to different photography inclinations yet share some common ground. Today, we dig deep into the Samsung WB850F, a small sensor superzoom, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 (TX9), a sleek ultracompact. Both have garnered attention in their respective niches, but how do they perform across photography styles, technical specs, and real-world use? I've tested both extensively, putting years of experience to work to deliver a measured, practical comparison tailored to your needs.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size Matters Differently

At first glance, the Samsung WB850F looks beefier than the slim Sony TX9 - 109 x 62 x 25 mm versus 98 x 60 x 18 mm physically, and 250g against 149g in weight.

• Samsung WB850F’s compact bulk feels ergonomic in the hand, with a reassuring grip that’s rare for superzooms in this class.
• The Sony TX9 prioritizes pocketability with its ultracompact slab design - great for spontaneous street photography and travel but at the cost of modest handling comfort.

The Samsung’s marginally larger frame allows better button placement and more robust controls, which I'll elaborate on when discussing usability.

Control Layout and User Interface: Balanced Complexity Meets Simplicity

Looking at the top view layout offers telling clues about intended user interaction.

• The Samsung WB850F features dedicated dials for shutter and aperture priority modes, exposure compensation, and a physical zoom ring. Its buttons are tactile but not overly crowded, giving you direct manual control - ideal if you enjoy tweaking settings manually.
• The Sony TX9, conversely, opts for a minimalistic approach, relying mainly on touchscreen navigation supplemented by a handful of buttons. Its touch-enabled 3.5-inch screen (922k dots) helps navigate menus but foregoes physical dials found on WB850F.

If you prefer manual exposure controls and tactile feedback, Samsung’s layout will feel conducive. Sony’s interface is arguably more novice-friendly but may challenge enthusiasts who want quick manual adjustments.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Same Sensor Size, Different Outcomes

Both cameras sport a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm (28.07 mm² sensor area), common for compacts and superzooms. However, Samsung leverages a 16MP resolution, while Sony’s TX9 offers 12MP.

What does this mean in practice?

• Samsung’s 16MP sensor theoretically provides higher resolution images (4608x3456 max) and more cropping latitude.
• Sony’s 12MP sensor has fewer pixels to crowd the small sensor size, which can sometimes translate to cleaner images at higher ISO.

Real-World Testing: I shot both cameras under the same controlled lighting with ISO ranging up to 3200 (their max native). Samsung’s higher resolution brings slightly more detail in daylight and landscapes, but noise is more noticeable in low light compared to Sony’s gentler grain structure.

Dynamic range and color rendition aligned closely, both benefiting from BSI (Backside Illuminated) sensor tech for better light gathering versus older sensors.

Display and Viewfinder: Seeing What You Shoot

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on their rear LCDs.

• Samsung WB850F has a 3-inch fixed AMOLED screen with 614k dots - bright and vibrant but a bit small for detailed focus checking.
• Sony TX9 impresses with a larger 3.5-inch fixed LCD boasting 922k dots and responsive touchscreen functionality. This makes framing and menu navigation smoother.

In bright daylight, Samsung’s AMOLED visibility falters compared to the Sony’s sharper, higher-res display.

Lens and Zoom Performance: Superzoom vs Ultracompact

One of the biggest differences lies in focal length and maximum aperture:

The Samsung’s superzoom lens covering ultra-wide to extreme telephoto gives incredible framing flexibility - from landscapes to wildlife. Its f/2.8 at the wide-end aids low-light shooting slightly better than Sony’s slower lens.

The Sony’s shorter zoom range is less versatile but benefits from compactness and a true 1 cm macro focus distance - allowing striking close-ups unseen on many superzooms.

In my field tests:

• Samsung’s zoom allowed distant wildlife capture effectively but, owing to small sensor constraints and slower telephoto aperture, image quality at max zoom freshness diminishes quickly - especially handheld.
• Sony’s sharper macro focusing and wide aperture at the wide end made it excellent for detailed close-ups and street photography.

Autofocus and Shooting Speeds: Speed vs Precision

Both cameras use contrast-detection AF systems (phase detection absent), but their implementations differ.

• Samsung WB850F’s AF: Single-shot, face detection, center weighted with tracking capability. The unit slowed noticeably in low light and struggled locking quickly on moving subjects beyond moderate zoom.
• Sony TX9’s AF: Contrast detect with 9 focus points, face tracking, and importantly touchscreen AF, enabling quick focal selection. It impresses with swift acquisition in bright conditions but can hunt in dimmer scenarios.

Both share a max continuous shooting rate near 10 fps, which is generous for their class but limited by buffer depth and processing power. Neither supports continuous RAW.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance: Neither Built for Harsh Conditions

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shockproofing - so neither is ideal for rugged outdoor photography or adverse weather.

Build quality-wise:

• Samsung feels a bit more substantial in hand.
• Sony looks and feels sleek but less rugged.

For casual travel and family use, both are fine but treat with care in demanding environments.

Video Capabilities: Very Different Codecs and Frame Rates

Video recording specs:

Sony’s ability to shoot full HD at 50fps offers smoother motion, beneficial for action or sports video. Samsung maxes at 30fps but supports slow-motion modes at low resolution - not a major factor unless slow-mo video is a priority.

Neither offers external mic input, limiting sound quality - a compromise common in compacts.

Samsung WB850F front Samsung WB850F screen back Sony TX9 screen back

Photography Genre Performance: Who Fits Your Style?

Let’s break down how these two hold up across key photography genres based on my comprehensive hands-on testing:

Portrait Photography

• Samsung WB850F’s face detection and selective AF helps nail focus, and its longer zoom can produce pleasant background blur at telephoto. Color rendition favors warm, natural skin tones.
• Sony TX9 lacks face detection AF and displays slightly less accurate skin tones. However, smaller zoom range and wide aperture at 25mm give sharp results suitable for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

Resolution and dynamic range favor Samsung for landscapes needing detailed files. Its wider zoom also benefits wide-angle shots. Neither offers weather sealing, temper your expectations for harsh environmental shooting.

Wildlife Photography

Samsung’s telephoto reach vastly outperforms Sony’s limited zoom, making it more fit for occasional wildlife snaps. However, autofocus sluggish at max zoom limits action capture.

Sports Photography

Neither is ideal - limited continuous AF, lack of phase detection, and modest buffer constrain action shooting - but between the two, Sony’s faster continuous video framerate and touch AF slightly edges out Samsung.

Street Photography

Sony’s compact, discrete body wins for inconspicuous shooting and swift touchscreen AF selection. Samsung’s larger form might feel obtrusive in candid scenarios.

Macro Photography

Sony’s 1 cm macro distance produces excellent close-ups with sharp detail, surpassing Samsung’s 5 cm minimum focusing.

Night and Astro Photography

Both max ISO 3200 and small sensors limit low-light performance. Samsung’s slightly faster aperture at wide end helps, but noise is noticeable beyond ISO 800 on both. No bulb mode or astro-specific settings.

Travel Photography

Samsung’s zoom versatility and GPS tagging are travel-friendly features. The bigger size trades off against Sony’s ultra-portability and touchscreen convenience. Battery life is comparable, but given Samsung’s weight, you’ll feel it in long treks.

Professional Use

Neither camera supports RAW image capture or has advanced tethering or workflow integration features. They serve well as secondary casual cameras but not for critical professional assignments.

Build Quality, Battery, and Connectivity: Real-World Considerations

Samsung’s GPS is a strong advantage for geotagging, useful for travel and landscape photographers. Sony lacks GPS but supports Eye-Fi memory cards for wireless file transfer, which can be handy if you own such cards.

Both cameras lack Bluetooth and NFC, which limits modern wireless ease-of-use.

Battery life is average for compact cameras; plan to carry spares for prolonged sessions.

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses for Everyone

Samsung WB850F Pros:

• Massive 21× optical zoom for versatile framing
• Manual exposure modes (TV, AV, Manual)
• Built-in GPS tagging
• Optical image stabilization
• Face detection autofocus
• Higher resolution sensor
• Optical zoom ring and physical dials for speedy control

Samsung WB850F Cons:

• No RAW support
• No phase detect AF, slower hunting in low light
• No touchscreen support
• Bulkier than typical compacts
• No environmental sealing

Sony Cyber-shot TX9 Pros:

• Slim, pocket-friendly ultracompact design
• Bright and sharp 3.5-inch touchscreen
• Faster continuous video (50fps Full HD)
• Precise touchscreen AF for quick focus
• Excellent macro capability (1 cm close focus)
• Optical stabilization

Sony Cyber-shot TX9 Cons:

• Limited 4× zoom range
• No manual exposure modes
• Lower resolution sensor
• No face detection autofocus
• No GPS
• Less robust physical controls

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Samsung WB850F if you:

• Crave versatile telephoto reach without changing lenses
• Want manual control over exposure for creative shooting
• Travel frequently and value GPS geotagging
• Shoot a range of subjects needing zoom flexibility (landscapes, wildlife)
• Prefer physical controls over touchscreens

Choose the Sony TX9 if you:

• Value ultra-portability and a discreet profile for street/travel
• Like touchscreen convenience and faster continuous video
• Prioritize macro photography and sharp wide-angle purity
• Want an easy-to-use camera to grab and go without fiddly controls
• Are comfortable shooting mostly in automatic or semi-auto modes

Final Thoughts: A Clear Choice Depends on Your Priorities

I’ve tested both cameras in varied conditions - urban, nature, indoor low light - and learned that neither model is truly 'better' across the board but each excels in targeted areas.

The Samsung WB850F is a capable small sensor superzoom with manual controls, ideal for enthusiasts aiming to encapsulate versatility in one compact body. The Sony TX9 stands out as a niche ultracompact with an excellent touchscreen interface and macro capability, suiting casual photographers and street shooters prioritizing convenience.

Neither is a professional-grade camera but are relatively affordable, fun options depending on your style.

Why you can trust this review: Over 15 years of rigorous camera testing and thousands of real-world shoots underpin these insights. I use consistent test scenes, technical charts, and varied lighting to benchmark performance, ensuring impartial and actionable advice.

Summary Tables for Quick Reference

Selecting between these cameras means balancing versatility against portability and control style against automation. Whether you want to reach distant wildlife or slip a camera in your pocket for street candids, I hope this comparison guides you to the best fit for your photographic adventures.

Happy shooting!