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Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon S9300
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as WB550
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Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon S9100 and Samsung HZ15W, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was brought out 2 years after the HZ15W which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the S9100 matches up vs the HZ15W in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Samsung HZ15W

 S9100 HZ15W 
ReleasedJuly 2011February 2009More modern by 30 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Nikon S9100

 HZ15W S9100 

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Samsung HZ15W

 S9100 HZ15W 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S9100 enjoys exterior measurements of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Samsung HZ15W has specifications of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S9100 and Samsung HZ15W in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the S9100 vs the HZ15W.

Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S9100 and HZ15W is 91 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S9100 and HZ15W.

As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP and you should expect similar quality of photographs however you will want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The younger S9100 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Portrait photography camera
32
focusing manually
features face detection autofocus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
31
focusing manually
features face detection focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (214g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography advice
36
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (270 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S9100
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
61
lighter than average in class (214g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (270 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
54
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (249g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9100
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ15W
39
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery pack (270 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
40
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 Vlogging features
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging features
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (214g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
28
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than competition (249g)
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Nikon S9100 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Samsung HZ15W
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Samsung
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Samsung HZ15W
Also Known as - WB550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-19 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing distance 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lb) 249 gr (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 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 270 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $329 $330