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Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24
Samsung CL5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Samsung CL5
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
  • 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally Known as PL10
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Samsung CL5 and Sony W550, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the CL5 (9MP) and W550 (14MP) and the CL5 (1/2.5") and W550 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The CL5 was introduced 3 years before the W550 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise overview of how the CL5 grades against the W550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung CL5 over the Sony W550

 CL5 W550 

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Samsung CL5

 W550 CL5 
RevealedJuly 2011February 2009Newer by 29 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Samsung CL5 and Sony W550

 CL5 W550 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung CL5 features physical measurements of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check out the Samsung CL5 and Sony W550 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the CL5 versus the W550.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the CL5 and W550 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the CL5 and W550.

Clearly, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The CL5 using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony W550 will produce greater detail using its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged CL5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung CL5 Portrait photography info
Sony W550 Portrait photography info
24
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution (9MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung CL5 Street photography highlights
Sony W550 Street photography highlights
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung CL5
Sports photography with Sony W550
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (9MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung CL5
Travel photography with Sony W550
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung CL5 Landscape photography factors
Sony W550 Landscape photography factors
22
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (9MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
42
decently wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung CL5 Vlogging information
Sony W550 Vlogging information
25
has face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic jack
29
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
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Samsung CL5 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung CL5 and Sony W550
 Samsung CL5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung CL5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Otherwise known as PL10 -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2009-02-23 2011-07-24
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 9 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3456 x 2592 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-114mm (3.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-4.5 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 141 grams (0.31 lb) 110 grams (0.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 -
Price at launch $391 $119