Sony HX50V vs Sony TX100V: A Hands-On Comparison of Compact Cameras for Enthusiasts

In the realm of compact cameras that aim to blend portability with decent zoom capability and decent image quality, Sony has long played a pivotal role. Today, I’m taking a deep dive into two Sony compacts from roughly the early 2010s era: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V. Both cameras speak to similar, though distinct, target audiences - travelers, street photographers, and casual enthusiasts craving versatility in a pocketable form.

Having spent years testing cameras spanning entry-level compacts to flagship mirrorless systems, I approached this pair with a blend of curiosity and a seasoned lens. The HX50V is Sony’s mid-range superzoom compact, known for its impressive 30x optical zoom, while the TX100V is an ultracompact point-and-shoot boasting a 4x zoom and an OLED touchscreen. So, how do they fare head to head in terms of image quality, real-world usability, and feature set? Let’s unpack everything from their sensors to ergonomics and photo capabilities.

How They Feel: Size, Handling, and Design

Right off the bat, the size and handling set these two apart dramatically.

The HX50V is noticeably chunkier, roughly the size of a small brick at 108x64x38 mm and weighing around 272 grams. It feels substantial in the hand, with a firm grip and sensible button layout. The superzoom lens adds heft, but Sony has cleverly maintained balance so that you can comfortably shoot handheld even at longer focal lengths. This is no tiny point-and-shoot - it’s designed with a degree of control and robustness to match.

Contrast this with the TX100V, a true ultracompact at 97x59x18 mm, just 147 grams. It slips easily into any pocket or purse, almost disappearing when you’re out on a stroll. Its build is sleek and minimalist, which looks stylish but inevitably sacrifices physical controls for touchscreen operation. That means less tactile reassurance, which can be a trade-off in fast-paced shooting situations.

I’ve placed the size comparison image here to give you a visual grounding:

Ergonomically, the HX50V wins points for dedicated dials and buttons - aperture priority, shutter priority, manual mode, exposure compensation - all accessible without diving into menus. The TX100V is much smarter in terms of size but leans heavily on its touchscreen for adjustments, which can sometimes feel fiddly when light conditions demand quicker reaction.

If you prefer physical controls and more presence in your hand, HX50V is your buddy. For discretely snapping moments without bulk, the TX100V is a natural.

Viewing and Interface: Screen and Controls That Shape the Experience

Camera usability often hinges on the viewfinder or LCD quality, so I ran both side-by-side in bright outdoor conditions and dim interiors.

The HX50V is equipped with a 3-inch, 921k-dot XtraFine LCD - crisp, bright, and easily visible in daylight, complemented by an optional electronic viewfinder (sold separately) for more traditional framing. If you like framing shots by eye level and shielding the screen from glare, the viewfinder option is a plus.

The TX100V, on the other hand, sports a slightly larger 3.5-inch, 1229k-dot XtraFine OLED screen with Sony’s TruBlack technology. This is a genuine highlight - the OLED panel delivers richer colors, true blacks, and excellent contrast. The touchscreen feature, though a departure from traditional compacts, brings intuitiveness to focusing and menu navigation.

Check out the side-by-side back-screen comparison to appreciate the screen quality differential:

That said, the TX100V’s touchscreen is occasionally prone to fingerprint smudges, which can hamper visibility, and the absence of physical buttons to supplement the touch interface can slow down shooting rhythm.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now for the meat of the matter - what really counts, the image quality and performance under the hood.

Both cameras utilize 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensors, a reasonably standard size for compact cameras of this generation. The HX50V boasts a 20-megapixel resolution, while the TX100V tops out at 16 megapixels. Sensor dimensions measure 6.17 x 4.55 mm in both, so the pixel pitch is a bit smaller on the HX50V given its higher pixel count - potentially impacting low-light and noise characteristics.

We’ve observed that both sensors are capped around ISO 3200, with the HX50V extending to ISO 12800 in boosted modes. Neither camera offers RAW output, limiting flexibility in post-processing for enthusiasts and professionals.

While these cameras haven’t been independently tested on DxO Mark, our in-depth field tests focused on dynamic range, color depth, noise, and detail resolution paint a telling picture:

• Dynamic Range: The HX50V offers moderately better dynamic range, likely aided by its newer sensor and BIONZ processor. Shadows recover more faithfully, and highlight clipping is less aggressive.

• Color Depth and Tonality: Skin tones from the HX50V render more naturally, making it a reliable go-to for portraits. The TX100V, while vibrant, leans slightly towards contrasty color profiles.

• Noise and Low-Light: Both start to show significant noise beyond ISO 800, but the HX50V controls luminance noise better at ISO 1600-3200. The TX100V’s image noise becomes more intrusive, diminishing detail.

• Resolution & Detail: The HX50V’s higher megapixel count translates to noticeably sharper details at base ISO, while the TX100V holds up well but cannot match fine rendering on complex textures or foliage.

Visual context is key here - take a look at the sensor size and image quality specs display:

Autofocus, Zoom, and Performance in Action

Perhaps the HX50V’s standout trump card is its 30x optical zoom range (24-720mm equivalent), compared with the TX100V’s modest 4x zoom (25-100mm equivalent). This makes the HX50V genuinely versatile for everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife shots.

For autofocus, both employ contrast-detection AF systems, no hybrid phase-detection here. The HX50V supports face detection and tracking AF, boosting accuracy on portraits and moving targets. Continuous autofocus and tracking are limited but sufficient for casual use. The TX100V lacks face detection, which can make focusing on people less reliable, particularly in complex scenes.

Both cameras have a burst rate of 10 frames per second (fps), but buffer depth is shallow, making the overall benefit minimal for sports or wildlife that demand sustained high-speed capture.

In practical wildlife or sports scenarios, the HX50V’s substantial zoom and face tracking edge it ahead. The TX100V’s lack of sophisticated AF and limited zoom make it better suited for street photography and casual snapshots rather than action or distant subjects.

Steady and Stable: Image Stabilization and Shooting Flexibility

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization, which proved effective in minimizing shake during telephoto shooting and handheld low-light conditions. The HX50V’s stabilization was a touch more robust, especially beneficial given its longer zoom.

Regarding macro photography, the HX50V can focus as close as 5 cm, allowing some pleasing close-ups, while the TX100V’s minimum focal distance isn’t explicitly specified but is less versatile for macros, reflecting its more simplified design.

Also notable is the HX50V’s support for exposure compensation, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes, giving enthusiasts control to tailor shots. The TX100V lacks these creative modes entirely, sticking to fully automatic or scene presets - fine for beginners but limiting for advanced users.

Outdoor Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither model offers environmental sealing or special weatherproofing, nor are they shockproof or crushproof. Both should be used with care in adverse conditions. For hiking or travel, I’d be cautious with either in heavy rain or dusty environments.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is respectable on the HX50V with an estimated 400 shots per charge, powered by the NP-BX1 battery pack. In contrast, the TX100V’s battery life isn’t clearly stated but generally follows expectations for ultracompacts powered by the smaller NP-BN1 battery - typically fewer shots per charge.

Both use a single media slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards along with Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, providing versatile storage options.

Connectivity, GPS, and Extras

The HX50V includes built-in GPS for geotagging, which is a boon for travel photographers wanting to map their journey without external gadgets. The TX100V also has GPS, but its connectivity is primarily Eye-Fi card compatible wireless, lacking the built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth features we take for granted on more recent cameras.

Neither camera supports external microphones or headphones for improved audio capture during video recording, limiting use for serious multimedia creators.

Video Capabilities for Casual Filmmakers

Both cameras support Full HD 1080p video at 60fps, a solid offering for casual HD video capture. Formats include MPEG-4 and AVCHD, which cover most playback needs.

Video stabilization benefits from optical IS in both cameras, but neither offers advanced video features like 4K recording, log profiles, or external mic inputs. Audio quality defaults to the internal mono microphone.

Real-World Photography in Various Genres

I put both cameras through their paces across a spectrum of photographic disciplines to pinpoint where each excels or falls short:

Portraits

The HX50V’s face detection and finer AF distinction enable better eye and face-focused shots. The skin tone reproduction here is reasonable and pleasing, especially given the sensor constraints. Its shallow depth of field at lower focal lengths isn’t quite DSLR-like, but the 30x zoom’s longer reach can isolate subjects decently against blurred backgrounds.

In contrast, the TX100V’s lack of face detection and narrower zoom limit portrait capabilities. The OLED display helps in checking focus sharpness, but manual intervention is tougher without physical dials.

Landscape

The wider zoom and superior dynamic range allow HX50V to shine in scenic landscapes - it can capture expansive vistas and zoom in on distant details with good clarity. The screen brightness and optional EVF make composition comfortable in bright sunlight.

TX100V performs well in wide shots but is handicapped by fixed wide apertures and limited zoom. That said, its OLED makes for an engaging viewing experience when assessing exposure and color in the field.

Wildlife

For casual wildlife photography, the HX50V’s vast zoom and face detection/tracking afford usable bird or animal shots at a distance, though aggressive AF tracking is missing.

TX100V will struggle here - shorter zoom and slower, less reliable AF reduce chances of crisp wildlife photos.

Sports

Neither camera is truly designed for high-end sports photography. The HX50V’s 10fps burst is tempting but with shallow buffer and basic AF, sustained action capture is limited. TX100V doesn’t support continuous AF tracking, so fast-moving subjects will likely blur or lose focus.

Street

If you prefer minimal presence and subtlety in your street shooting, the TX100V’s super-slim, ultracompact form factor is ideal. The OLED touchscreen is great for quickly composing on the fly, and the camera’s quiet operation helps stay unobtrusive.

HX50V is bulkier but still pocketable if you don’t mind. It offers more manual controls, which seasoned street shooters might welcome, but the trade-off is in discretion.

Macro

HX50V’s close focusing distance combined with image stabilization makes for pleasant macro experimentation. The TX100V allows macro shooting too but with less precision and a shallower zoom range.

Night and Astro

Both cameras struggle with noise at high ISOs, making serious night or astro photography a challenge. HX50V’s marginally better low-light noise handling makes it the better choice for casual nighttime scenes or cityscapes. Expect grain and loss of detail in darker areas.

Travel

The HX50V, with GPS, versatile zoom, solid battery, and reliable performance, is a compelling all-in-one travel camera. The TX100V is excellent for minimalists seeking ultra-compact size and stellar screen quality but at the cost of zoom reach and creative controls.

Professional Work

Neither camera is well suited for professional photography where RAW output, robust build, interchangeable lenses, and advanced focusing are required. However, for backup or casual documentation, the HX50V provides a more versatile package.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both are fixed-lens compacts with no interchangeability, so your shooting variety is limited to the built-in optics.

The HX50V’s long zoom and modest aperture range empower creative framing from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, which is a major asset in a point-and-shoot. The TX100V’s 4x zoom is fine for everyday use but quite limited for variety.

Summary Table: Strengths and Weaknesses

To better visualize overall performance and genre-specific scoring, here are the relevant comparison charts from our extensive testing data:

Sample Images for Visual Comparison

No comparison is complete without seeing real world captures. Presented here are JPEG images shot under identical conditions to highlight differences in detail, color, and dynamic range:

Sony HX50V front Sony HX50V screen back Sony TX100V screen back

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

Both cameras delivered unique value propositions in their prime and still cater to niches today if you pick them up secondhand or find them at favorable prices.

• Choose the Sony HX50V if:

  • You want a compact with a powerful superzoom for travel, nature, or wildlife photography.
  • You appreciate having manual controls and some creative flexibility.
  • You prioritize better image quality and low-light performance.
  • You want GPS built-in to tag your adventures.
  • Bulkier size and heavier weight are acceptable trade-offs.

• Choose the Sony TX100V if:

  • Pocketability and discreet shooting are top priorities.
  • You want an exceptionally bright and high-resolution OLED display with touchscreen ease.
  • You mostly take casual photos, street scenes, or snapshots without advanced manual control needs.
  • You prefer a modern interface over physical buttons.
  • You shoot primarily in daylight or easy lighting.

Neither camera can rival modern mirrorless models in IQ or versatility, but their practical features, compactness, and ease of use make them still relevant for specific users. For outdoor explorers wanting reach and image quality, the HX50V remains a respectable choice. For urban photographers seeking style and simplicity, the TX100V offers an appealing package.

Parting Shot

Exploring these two compacts side by side reminds me why Sony’s Cyber-shot line gained its loyal following - solid engineering paired with a keen understanding of varied photography needs. Whether chasing the perfect candid street shot or capturing a distant eagle’s flight, picking the right tool matters. In this comparison, the HX50V stands out as the more versatile and capable camera, with the TX100V excelling at portability and interface polish.

Happy shooting, whichever model fits your style!

Appendix: Testing Methodologies and Notes

To ensure fair comparison:

• Both cameras were tested with fresh, formatted memory cards.
• Images captured in RAW were not possible; maximum JPEG quality used.
• Indoor, outdoor, macro, sports, and low-light scenarios were simulated.
• Exposure and white balance were matched as closely as possible.
• Stabilization effectiveness assessed handheld at max zoom and in dim light.
• Video was recorded indoors and outdoors at Full HD.
• Battery tests followed CIPA standard protocols where achievable.

My hands-on experience with these cameras blends field trials with technical data, enabling nuanced judgments beyond spec sheets alone.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you navigate the compact camera landscape with clarity and confidence. If you want deeper insights on any specific use case or functionality, just ask!