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Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W 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
  • Launched August 2012
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Additionally Known as WB600
Photography Glossary

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus VH-515 versus Samsung HZ30W, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the VH-515 (12MP) and the HZ30W (12MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VH-515 was unveiled 2 years later than the HZ30W and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the VH-515 matches up versus the HZ30W in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Samsung HZ30W

 VH-515 HZ30W 
RevealedAugust 2012January 2010Fresher by 32 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Olympus VH-515

 HZ30W VH-515 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Samsung HZ30W

 VH-515 HZ30W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Olympus VH-515 has physical measurements of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") having a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Samsung HZ30W has specifications of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check the Olympus VH-515 versus Samsung HZ30W in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the VH-515 versus the HZ30W.

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VH-515 and HZ30W is 95 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the VH-515 and HZ30W.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you should factor the age of the cameras into account. The newer VH-515 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VH-515
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ30W
27
comes with face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
29
manual focus
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VH-515
Street photography with Samsung HZ30W
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes focus by touch
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Sports photography features
Samsung HZ30W Sports photography features
32
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
42
amazing zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Travel photography factors
Samsung HZ30W Travel photography factors
62
includes focus by touch
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Landscape photography camera
37
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
43
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Vlogging info
Samsung HZ30W Vlogging info
35
fairly wide (26mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
30
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus VH-515 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Samsung HZ30W
 Olympus VH-515Samsung HZ30W
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus VH-515 Samsung HZ30W
Also referred to as - WB600
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-08-21 2010-01-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 152 grams (0.34 pounds) 245 grams (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 ID LI-50B SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $648 $280