Sony A380 vs Sony TX10: A Down-to-Earth Comparison From a Hands-On Camera Tester

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a jungle. Especially when the contenders come from the same brand but cater to wildly different users. Today, I'm putting under the loupe two Sony shooters that couldn't be more different on paper - the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 (affectionately “A380”) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 (“TX10”). One’s a 2009-era entry-level DSLR aimed at budding pros and hobbyists craving control and image quality; the other’s a 2011 ultra-compact point-and-shoot designed for easy pocketable fun and rugged travel.

Over my 15+ years of hands-on testing thousands of cameras, I've learned the value of looking beyond marketing hype and specs sheets. So buckle up: we're diving deep into sensor tech, ergonomics, AF prowess, real-world performance from portraits to wildlife, video chops, and yes - even price-to-value. I’ve shot with both of these, pushing their strengths and finding the limits. By the end, you’ll know exactly which camera deserves a spot in your kit and which might be better left on the shelf.

A Tale of Two Bodies: DSLR Bulk vs Ultra-Compact Pocketability

First impressions count, right? The physical form factor sets the tone for your shooting experience.

The Sony A380 is a classic compact SLR with a hearty grip, solid heft (519g), and dimensions around 128x97x71 mm. It’s designed to feel substantial in your hands, clubs for thumbs and all, with dedicated dials and buttons you can fly around without missing a beat. The tilting LCD is a welcome addition for tricky angles, though its low resolution (230k dots) reminds you it’s from a bygone era.

Meanwhile, the Sony TX10 is the epitome of the ultra-compact - 95x56x18 mm and weight hovering at a mere 133g. This tough little unit is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof, making it a great hiking or beach companion. The bright 3-inch 921k dot touchscreen pops, and with no dedicated viewfinder (optical or electronic), you compose on the LCD only.

If you prize handling and control - especially if you like physically fiddling with exposure settings, lenses, and grips - the A380 wins hands down. The TX10 aims at effortless portability and rugged durability, great for grab-and-go snapshots but less so for deliberate composition.

Under the Hood: Sensor Battles and Image Quality Prospects

The sensor - and its processing pipeline - can make or break image fidelity.

Here’s where the gulf is huge.

• Sony A380: APS-C CCD sensor, 14MP resolution (4592x3056), sensor area ~372.9 mm²
• Sony TX10: 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, 16MP resolution (4608x3456), sensor area ~28.1 mm²

Right off the bat, that’s a 13x difference in sensor area favoring the A380. Larger sensors gather more light, yielding better dynamic range, color depth, and lower noise at high ISOs - especially in challenging light.

Although the A380 uses an older CCD instead of CMOS, it still impresses with a DxO Mark color depth of 22.6 bits and dynamic range of 11.8 EV - solid for its class and vintage. Low-light ISO performance peaks around 600 ISO effectively, beyond which graininess ramps up.

Conversely, the TX10’s smaller 1/2.3” sensor limits dynamic range and low-light performance despite being a more modern BSI-CMOS type. It shoots clean at base ISO 125 but the smaller pixels struggle beyond ISO 800. Bear in mind, Sony didn’t submit it for DxO testing, but my hands-on use confirms modest noise control.

Sensor size also dictates depth of field control. The A380’s APS-C sensor allows for creamy bokeh and background separation - essential for portraits - while the TX10's tiny sensor keeps nearly everything in focus (not always a bad thing).

If image quality is your photography religion, the A380 delivers on much better raw shooting potential and prints-ready files. The TX10 is fine for casual snaps or social media sharing but won’t satisfy demanding printmakers or editorial shooters.

Viewing and Interface: Finding the Sweet Spot Between Controls and Convenience

The A380 puts traditional DSLR controls front and center - mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation button, quick access to ISO, drive modes, AF area selection, and a built-in flash with multiple flash modes (wireless included). The rear houses a tilting 2.7” screen (albeit low-res), and an optical pentamirror viewfinder covers 95% of the frame at 0.49x magnification. It’s not the brightest viewfinder nor the highest coverage, but perfectly serviceable for its class. The lack of touch input reflects the era but means snappy button navigation.

The TX10 ditches viewfinder altogether, opting for an ultra-crisp 3” XtraFine touchscreen front and center, with lively menus and simple gesture controls. No manual exposure modes here - only automatic or scene modes - though you get custom white balance and exposure compensation baked in without fuss. The fixed 25-100mm zoom lens can be controlled smoothly on screen, and a small flash rounds out basics.

For photographers who like muscle memory and fast physical access to settings, the A380’s layout is a boon. The TX10’s simplicity courts casual photographers or those who prefer focusing on framing rather than fiddling with settings.

Autofocus and Burst Speed: Can They Keep Up With Your Subjects?

Nothing kills a photo like missed focus.

• Sony A380 autofocus: 9-point phase detection system with face detection, single and continuous AF modes, contrast detection in live view, no advanced subject tracking.
• Sony TX10 autofocus: 9-point contrast detection AF, single AF only, no face or eye detection, touch-to-focus on LCD.

The DSLR’s phase-detection AF system is lightning-fast compared to TX10’s contrast AF. In bright light, the A380 nails focus quickly across its points and reliably tracks faces. Outdoors, it’s a pretty competent workhorse, though it can struggle with erratically moving subjects or low contrast. No fancy animal eye-detection here, understandably.

The TX10’s autofocus works decently in good lighting but hunts visibly in low light or on low-contrast subjects. That said, touch AF lets you select your focus point quickly, which is great for street or macro shots. Continuous AF or tracking AF is a no-show here.

Regarding continuous shooting, the A380 manages 3 frames per second (fps) - slow by modern pro standards but enough for casual sports or wildlife. The TX10 can burst-shoot at 10fps, but limited by buffer and slower lens settling, so practical usefulness is modest.

If you photograph fast action, wildlife, or sports, the A380 edges out by a mile.

Lens Ecosystem: Creative Potential vs Fixed Convenience

A DSLR’s real strength often lies in interchangeable lenses.

• The A380 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, compatible with a robust system of 143 lenses from Sony and third parties, including primes, zooms, macros, and specialty glass dating back decades. That means you can kit it out for portraiture, landscapes, wildlife telephoto, or macro with ease.

• The TX10 sports a fixed 25-100mm (35mm eq) lens, f/3.5-4.6 aperture. Versatile enough for snapshots and casual telephoto reach but with optical compromises baked in to keep the package small and affordable. No swaps allowed here.

If flexibility and creative control via glass is a priority, the A380 is your ticket. The TX10’s fixed optics suit travelers or casual shooters who want no hassle and decent reach in one box.

Picture Perfect? Real-World Results Across Photography Genres

I put both cameras through their paces in a variety of disciplines. Let’s break it down.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh Magic

Thanks to its APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses, the A380 delivers natural skin tones and nice tonal gradation. Its ability to pair with fast primes like a 50mm f/1.8 yields creamy backgrounds and beautiful subject isolation. Face detection AF works fairly well, so eyes tend to stay sharp.

The TX10 suffers from tiny sensor constraints and fixed lens aperture, resulting in flatter images with limited depth separation. Skin tones lean toward neutral but lack the punch and subtlety of the A380’s files. No eye AF here, so portraits are a bit more "point and shoot."

Landscapes: Resolution and Dynamic Range

The A380’s 14MP APS-C sensor and 11.8 EV dynamic range produce crisp, detailed landscape shots with good shadow recovery - very useful in high-contrast scenes like sunsets or bright skies. Paired with a wide angle lens, it’s a solid walkaround for nature photographers.

The TX10 yields sharper edges thanks to higher resolution but limited dynamic range means blown highlights or crushed shadows under tricky light. The rugged build encourages outdoor adventures though - no dulling after a drizzle or drop.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst

Here, the A380’s 3 fps and decent phase AF give it the upper hand. You can track a bird in flight or kids playing soccer with modest success. The TX10’s burst speed is impressive at 10 fps but autofocus hunting and no continuous AF make it a mostly “spray and pray” experience.

Street Photography: Discretion vs Control

Here I found the TX10’s slim, quiet, waterproof profile a boon - walk around unnoticed, shoot from the hip, or snap candid moments without disturbing the scene. The touchscreen and fast startup are also street warrior perks.

The A380 is bulkier and a bit intruding, but if you want creative control and framing through the viewfinder, it remains a classic choice for street shooters who don’t mind the weight.

Macro: Focusing and Detail Capture

The TX10's impressive 1cm macro focus range means you can get close on flowers and bugs instantly, though image quality limitations cap detail fidelity.

The A380 can deliver sharper macro shots when paired with a good macro lens and controlled lighting, but isn't as convenient for spontaneous close-ups.

Night and Astro: Low Light Limits

With its larger sensor and clean files up to 600 ISO, the A380 can do star fields and night cityscapes with decent noise control.

The TX10, hamstrung by sensor size and max ISO 3200 but noisy at higher ISOs, is better used with flash or in well-lit night scenes.

Video Functionality: From Silent to Decent HD

Now, video is where the A380 shows its age - no video recording capability whatsoever.

The TX10 comes with 10fps continuous shooting and full HD 1080p video at 60fps. Its CMOS sensor and optical image stabilization deliver smooth footage for casual videos and family movies, ideal for travel and vlogging. No microphone inputs but an HDMI port allows clean output.

If video matters to you at all, the TX10 is the only option here, albeit basic by modern standards.

Build Quality and Durability: Weatherproofing vs Classic DSLR Reliability

The TX10 is a rugged little beast - waterproof to 10m, dust and shockproof, and freezeproof to -10°C, literally demanding you take it places a typical SLR would dread.

The A380 lacks any weather sealing and is vulnerable to dust and moisture, so it’s best used carefully in controlled environments.

If you’re a travel or adventure nut needing a versatile shooter you won’t baby, the TX10 shines here.

Power, Storage, and Connectivity: What Fuels and Saves Your Shots?

A380 uses a proprietary NP-FH50 Battery Pack rated for 500 shots (CIPA tested) - fairly generous for an entry DSLR. Storage is via single SD/SDHC or Memory Stick Duo slot.

TX10’s battery life isn’t officially rated but smaller batteries generally mean fewer shots per charge. Storage supports SD/SDHC/SDXC and Sony Memory Stick formats.

Neither camera features Bluetooth or NFC, but the TX10 supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless image transfer - a neat convenience that the A380 lacks.

Price-to-Performance: What Does Your Buck Buy?

When new, the A380 sold for about $899 - reflecting its DSLR build and sensor tech.

The TX10 came in at $309, a fraction of that, positioned as a budget-friendly rugged compact.

Today, secondhand prices for the A380 hover in the $150-$250 range, while well-maintained TX10 models run about $70-$120.

For budget-conscious buyers, the TX10 offers robust build and decent shooting for casual needs. The A380 demands more investment in lenses and accessories but rewards with superior image quality and creative potential.

How Do These Cameras Score on Paper?

According to overall image quality and feature scores:

• Sony A380: DxO Mark overall score 67 (good entry-level DSLR performance)
• Sony TX10: Not tested by DxO, but sensor size and fixed lens limit maximum image quality potential.

Specialty Photography Scores: Pick Your Discipline

• Portraits: A380 excels for bokeh and color accuracy; TX10 is adequate for casual snapshots.
• Landscape: A380’s dynamic range advantage is clear.
• Wildlife: A380’s AF and burst speed help; TX10 can snap from the hip but misses precision.
• Sports: Neither excels but A380 is more reliable for focus.
• Street: TX10’s stealth and portability claim the crown.
• Macro: TX10’s super close focus wins for convenience; A380 for quality with lens.
• Night/Astro: A380’s sensor size and lower noise reign supreme.
• Video: Only TX10 supports HD video recording.
• Travel: TX10 is the rugged traveler; A380 the tripod-toting photographer’s choice.
• Professional use: A380’s file formats (RAW support), interchangeable lens system, and manual controls fit professional workflows better. TX10 is off the radar here.

My Personal Verdict: Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Sony A380 if...

• You’re an enthusiast or beginner wanting full creative control with manual modes and great image quality
• You value interchangeable lenses and plan to invest in glass for portraits, landscapes, or wildlife
• You shoot mostly in daylight or well-lit environments and want RAW files for editing
• You don’t mind a bit of bulk and learning curve in exchange for DSLR advantages
• You’re on a budget but want a capable system with upgrade potential

Opt for the Sony TX10 if...

• Portability, ruggedness, and simplicity are your top priorities
• You want a go-anywhere camera for travel, hiking, beach, and everyday snapshots without fuss
• Video recording is an important feature for you (1080p/60fps here)
• You dislike carrying multiple lenses or fiddling with settings - point and shoot is fine
• You’re shopping on a tight budget for a compact that still delivers decent image quality in good light

Wrapping It Up: It All Comes Down To Use Case and Priorities

In the end, these cameras represent two sides of the photographic coin: the DSLR’s image fidelity and manual freedom vs the ultracompact’s convenience and rugged fun.

Sony A380 front Sony A380 screen back Sony TX10 front Sony TX10 screen back

The Sony A380 impresses me most as a credible starter DSLR that doesn’t break the bank and provides room to grow into photography creatively. It may feel dated but produces results that still hold up today.

Sony’s TX10 is a delightful pocket powerhouse for casual shooters and travelers who want durability and decent HD video without fussing over settings or lenses.

I encourage you to consider how you actually shoot, what you want from your next camera, and your budget. Both the A380 and TX10 carve out a meaningful place in Sony’s lineup, and with smart expectations, each delivers satisfying results.

If I can leave you with one nugget from my testing labyrinth: never overlook sensor size and autofocus system as pillars of good image-making, but also don’t underestimate how much fun a rugged pocket companion can be to capture everyday moments on the run.

Happy shooting out there, no matter which Sony you sling around your neck!