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Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Olympus VH-515
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 60 x 21mm
  • Released August 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Also referred to as WB550
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Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Olympus VH-515 versus Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the VH-515 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The VH-515 was introduced 3 years after the HZ15W which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the VH-515 scores vs the HZ15W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Samsung HZ15W

 VH-515 HZ15W 
IntroducedAugust 2012February 2009More modern by 43 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus VH-515

 HZ15W VH-515 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Samsung HZ15W

 VH-515 HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus VH-515 provides exterior dimensions of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ15W has proportions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Olympus VH-515 versus Samsung HZ15W in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the VH-515 and the HZ15W.

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the VH-515 and HZ15W is 95 and 90 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by going through specifications. The picture below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the VH-515 and HZ15W.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you should always factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer VH-515 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VH-515
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
27
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
31
has manual focus
features face detect focusing
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Street photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Street photography advice
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts focus via touch
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography advice
32
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Travel photography camera
62
boasts focus via touch
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (249g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Landscape photography details
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography details
37
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
40
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Vlogging features
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging features
35
quite wide (26mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
28
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than competitors in class (249g)
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Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus VH-515Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus VH-515 Samsung HZ15W
Otherwise known as - WB550
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-21 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 4.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 152g (0.34 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $648 $330