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Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Samsung HZ50W front
Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39

Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus SH-2
Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Announced May 2010
  • Also referred to as WB5500
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Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-3 was revealed 5 years after the HZ50W which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SH-3 scores against the HZ50W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Samsung HZ50W

 SH-3 HZ50W 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016May 2010More modern by 71 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Olympus SH-3

 HZ50W SH-3 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Samsung HZ50W

 SH-3 HZ50W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-3 provides outside dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ50W has measurements of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SH-3 against the HZ50W.

Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-3 and HZ50W is 88 and 70 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The image here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-3 and HZ50W.

As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus SH-3 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern SH-3 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography features
Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography features
44
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
46
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography highlights
Samsung HZ50W Street photography highlights
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
features focus via touch
lighter than average (271g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Sports photography camera
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
good battery (380 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
48
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Travel photography advice
Samsung HZ50W Travel photography advice
74
good battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than average (271 grams)
features focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
58
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Landscape photography camera
55
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
good battery (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
51
has manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging details
Samsung HZ50W Vlogging details
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than average (271g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone port
24
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus SH-3 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Samsung HZ50W
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Samsung HZ50W
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus Stylus SH-3 Samsung HZ50W
Otherwise known as - WB5500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-02-08 2010-05-03
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII -
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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.5fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format H.264 H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 gr (0.60 pounds) 426 gr (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-92B SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SC/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $579 $250