Sony H20 vs Sony TX55: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When considering a compact camera, it’s vital to assess how each model performs across the disciplines you care about, whether portraiture, landscapes, action, or casual everyday shooting. Today, we dive deep into two very different Sony Cyber-shot compacts: the 2009 Sony H20, a small sensor compact with a classic superzoom range, and the 2011 Sony TX55, an ultracompact marvel with an OLED touchscreen and 16MP sensor. Both aim at distinct users and shooting styles, so let’s break down their strengths, weaknesses, and which might be right for your creative journey.

Compact Design and Handling: Size, Controls, and Ergonomics

Your interaction with a camera starts long before the shutter clicks. How a camera feels in hand influences your shooting fluidity, comfort, and willingness to take it everywhere.

The H20 is larger and chunkier - typical for a 10× zoom superzoom style compact. This extra bulk accommodates a longer zoom lens (38-380 mm equivalent), physical control dials, and a comfortable grip that stays secure in your hand during longer sessions or when hiking.

In contrast, the TX55 is remarkably slim and pocketable. Its ultra-thin profile and focus on touchscreen interaction suit minimalists or street photographers who require a discreet, always-with-you camera. However, this compactness sacrifices physical control buttons, which might slow you down when fast adjustments are necessary.

Above the body, consider the top control layout:

The H20’s traditional layout includes dedicated exposure mode dials (manual, shutter priority, aperture priority), a zoom toggle, and flash control. If you enjoy fine manual exposure control, the H20 allows this seamlessly.

The TX55, however, eschews these physical controls for a minimalist look and depends heavily on touchscreen menus and on-screen controls for settings adjustment, which may frustrate photographers accustomed to tactile feedback.

In summary, the H20 is for photographers who prefer solid ergonomics and manual control choices, while the TX55 suits users prioritizing pocketability and intuitive touchscreen navigation.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Creative Output

At the core of every camera is its sensor, translating the scene into a digital image. Sensor size, resolution, and technology directly affect image quality - detail resolution, noise performance, and dynamic range.

Technically, both share the same sensor format size - a 1/2.3-inch sensor - common in compact cameras. However, the H20 uses a CCD sensor, while the TX55 features a back-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. This is a critical distinction.

What this means in practice:

• BSI-CMOS sensors, like in the TX55, offer superior light-gathering efficiency, especially at higher ISOs. This translates into cleaner images with less noise in low light.

• CCD sensors, such as the H20’s, historically excel at producing clean images in good light, with rich color rendition, but they usually suffer more noise at higher ISO settings.

Moreover, the TX55’s higher resolution (16MP vs 10MP) means more detail capture, important for cropping or large prints. The downside is potential noise increase if the sensor does not handle ISO well, but the BSI design helps mitigate this.

With that said, neither camera supports RAW files, limiting your control over post-processing. This is standard for compact models from their respective eras but may deter advanced photographers who require maximum flexibility.

Viewing Experience: Screen Technology and User Interface

LCD screens are your window to composition and playback. The quality, size, and interface type all shape usability.

The TX55’s XtraFine OLED display is a standout, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a high resolution that makes reviewing images a joy. Its touchscreen interface enables direct control - tap to focus, swipe through menus, zoom with pinch gestures - which simplifies the experience for newcomers or travel photographers looking for speed.

Conversely, the H20’s lower-resolution, non-touch LCD feels dated, with limited viewing angles and color accuracy. However, its lack of touchscreen can appeal to traditionalists who prefer physical buttons to avoid accidental touches.

Neither model has an electronic viewfinder, which can be a challenge in bright sunlight. You’ll want to rely on the rear LCD with shade or find some cover.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: From Wide-Angle to Telephoto Reach

Choosing your lens focal range determines what you can frame and how versatile your kit is.

The H20 offers double the zoom range of the TX55, extending your reach significantly with a 10× telephoto lens. This makes it more suitable for wildlife, sports at a distance, and travel where you want extra framing flexibility. Its macro mode with close focusing at 2 cm also facilitates detailed close-up shots.

In comparison, the TX55 covers a shorter range (26-130 mm equivalent), suitable for landscapes, portraits, and street photography. The tradeoff is the smaller zoom means a more compact lens assembly, contributing to its slim body.

Both include optical image stabilization to minimize blur from hand shake, important for telephoto shots and low-light handheld shooting.

For photographers needing telephoto versatility, the H20 is the clear winner. For portability and general walk-around usage, the TX55’s lens is ample.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing Moments When It Counts

How swiftly and accurately a camera locks focus affects your ability to capture fleeting moments, critical in sports, wildlife, and candid street photography.

While both use contrast detection autofocus with 9 focus points, neither offer continuous autofocus or face detection, limiting their ability to track moving subjects.

The standout difference is continuous shooting: the TX55 can shoot bursts at 10 frames per second compared to 2 fps for the H20. However, practical performance depends on buffer sizes and image quality, and with no continuous AF, moving subjects quickly go out of focus mid-series.

For fast-action shooters, neither camera is ideal, but the TX55’s higher burst rate may allow selecting sharp frames in quick sequences, especially with static or slow-moving subjects.

Flash, Exposure, and Manual Controls: Creative Flexibility

Creative photographers demand control over exposure and lighting.

The H20 shines with dedicated manual exposure modes and exposure compensation - rare among compacts of its time. You can dial shutter speeds or apertures directly for precise control, essential for portraits, macro, and night photography.

The TX55 limits you primarily to fully automatic exposure with no manual or priority modes, relying on intelligent scene modes. However, it offers white balance bracketing, helping multiple WB options for challenging lighting.

Flash-wise, the H20 provides stronger output and more modes including red-eye reduction and slow sync, advantageous in portraiture or creative fill flash.

The lack of external flash support on both models is a limitation, restricting professional-level flash setups.

Video Capabilities: From HD Recording to Creative Clips

Video is important for multimedia content creators and casual shooters alike.

The TX55 clearly leaps ahead with full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, enabling smoother motion and better video quality for vlogs and family moments. The availability of AVCHD format suggests higher compression efficiency and better playback compatibility.

The H20 restricts you to 720p video at 30fps - sufficient for web sharing but limited in frame rate and detail.

Neither camera includes microphone inputs, limiting audio quality control. Also, no timelapse mode is present.

For dedicated video casual users, the TX55 offers a more modern, versatile experience.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered on the Go

Long battery life and flexible storage matter for travel and long shoots.

The TX55 benefits from widely available microSD card slots, which can be easier to find and more versatile than the proprietary Memory Stick Duo used by the H20. This is an important practical consideration for frequent storage swaps and backups.

Battery life information for the H20 is unspecified but anecdotal reports suggest modest endurance typical for CCD compacts. The TX55’s 250 shot estimate aligns with typical ultracompacts, so expect to carry spares for heavy use with either camera.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: Reliability in the Field

Neither camera offers any professional weather sealing or rugged build features such as waterproofing or freezeproofing. If your photography often involves challenging weather, consider additional protective gear.

Feature Summary Table

Real-World Photography: Sample Images and Use Case Insights

Sony H20 front Sony H20 screen back Sony TX55 front Sony TX55 screen back

In real-world testing, the H20 produces pleasantly saturated colors and decent detail, particularly at base ISO settings. Its telephoto reach captured distant wildlife clearly but image softness crept in near the extremes of zoom.

The TX55 impresses with higher detail resolution and sharper images thanks to its CMOS sensor, especially in well-lit conditions. Low light shots exhibit less noise than the H20 but can suffer from slightly softer focus because of the limited manual control.

Portrait shots on the H20 benefit from exposure control and longer focal lengths creating pleasing background blur. The TX55’s wider angle lens requires you to get closer for a soft background effect.

Performance Ratings: Overall and By Photography Genre

Looking at an aggregate performance scoring based on image quality, handling, features, and value, the TX55 outranks the H20 overall due to advancements in sensor tech and video.

• Portrait: H20 leads with manual exposure and telephoto reach for nice bokeh.
• Landscape: TX55 excels in resolution and screen quality for framing.
• Wildlife/Sports: Neither fully optimized; moderate advantage to H20 for zoom.
• Street: TX55 preferred due to slim body and quick shooting.
• Macro: H20 closer focus distance helps get detailed shots.
• Night/Astro: TX55 better low-light sensor tech compensates.
• Video: TX55 clear winner with Full HD 60p.
• Travel: TX55 favored for pocketability; H20 for zoom versatility.
• Professional Work: Neither ideal, but H20’s manual modes win with controlled scenarios.

Who Should Choose Sony H20?

• You crave manual control for exposure, enabling creative experimentation with shutter and aperture.
• You need a 10× zoom range for telephoto shots without carrying a DSLR lens kit.
• You're a wildlife or travel enthusiast requiring decent macro and zoom power.
• You prefer physical buttons and dials over touchscreen navigation.

Who Should Choose Sony TX55?

• You want an ultra-compact, lightweight camera that fits in your pocket.
• You prioritize image sharpness, higher resolution, and better low-light performance.
• You want Full HD video at 1080p/60fps for casual video capture.
• You appreciate a high-resolution OLED touchscreen for quick, intuitive control.
• You mainly shoot street, travel, or casual portraits and don’t require extensive manual exposure controls.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Sony H20 and TX55 are both compact cameras that cater to different photographer profiles. While the H20 offers greater manual control and zoom reach, it shows its age with limiting video specs and older sensor technology. The TX55 represents advances in sensor design and usability innovations with a beautiful high-res touchscreen and improved video performance packed into a pocketable body.

If your creative goals include telephoto shooting and manual exposure experimentation, the H20 remains a solid choice despite its bulk and slower speeds. However, for photographers seeking an elegant, highly portable camera tailored to modern usage, including HD video and a refined interface, the TX55 offers excellent value.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on photographic priorities and shooting style. We recommend trying both cameras in hand to see which ergonomics and control scheme feel more natural on your creative journey. Also, factor in the types of photography you love most and how each camera fits into those scenarios.

Sony continues to innovate in the compact space, and exploring their ecosystem of models around these can help you find the perfect companion as you grow your photography skills. Don’t hesitate to explore accessories like SD cards, spare batteries, and perhaps a tripod to unlock their full potential.

Ready to take the next step? Check out these cameras hands-on at your local store or through trusted rental services to gain firsthand experience before making your investment.

Happy shooting!