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Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Released February 2012
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Additionally Known as WB550
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Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Lets look much closer at the Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is relatively well matched but the S30 (1/3") and HZ15W (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The S30 was brought out 2 years later than the HZ15W and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the S30 scores versus the HZ15W for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Samsung HZ15W

 S30 HZ15W 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2009More recent by 36 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Nikon S30

 HZ15W S30 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Samsung HZ15W

 S30 HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon S30 features physical measurements of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

See the Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the S30 against the HZ15W.

Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S30 and HZ15W is 90 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S30 and HZ15W.

All in all, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The S30 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Samsung HZ15W will give greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer S30 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography info
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography info
25
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/3")
doesn't have RAW format
32
focusing manually
supports face detect focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S30
Street photography with Samsung HZ15W
51
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (214 grams)
53
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition in class (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S30
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
29
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
environment sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Travel photography camera
52
environment sealing
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (214g)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (249g)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S30
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ15W
26
environment sealing
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
41
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging details
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging details
23
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (214 grams)
29
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than competition in class (249g)
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Nikon S30 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Samsung HZ15W
 Nikon Coolpix S30Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Company Nikon Samsung
Model type Nikon Coolpix S30 Samsung HZ15W
Also called - WB550
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-02-01 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 16s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.5fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214g (0.47 lb) 249g (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 images -
Form of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $119 $330