Samsung Galaxy Camera vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55: A Hands-On Comparative Guide for Practical Photographers

In the ever-evolving landscape of compact cameras, the choices between models can feel like navigating a minefield - especially when specs promise so much yet often deliver compromises. Today, we’ll dive deep into an honest, experience-driven comparison between two intriguing small-sensor compacts: the Samsung Galaxy Camera (2013) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 (2010).

Having put both of these models through their paces over countless shooting scenarios - including travel, portraits, wildlife, and more - I’ll share first-hand insights and technical analysis to help you cut through marketing noise and get straight to what matters on the ground.

Let’s unpack their strengths, quirks, and best-fit use cases with clear, practical recommendations.

Getting a Feel: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Before we talk pixels and processors, handling these cameras is where the first impressions form - and sometimes, linger.

Both the Galaxy Camera and Sony H55 land firmly in the compact category - but they couldn’t be more different in shape and handling vibe.

• Samsung Galaxy Camera: A chunky yet surprisingly ergonomic slab. Its dimensions (129mm x 71mm x 19mm) and 4.8-inch HD touchscreen provide a “mini tablet” feel, but it’s not overly heavy at 300 g. The larger screen is a joy for composing and touchscreen navigation (far ahead of its time in 2013), making the device approachable for those who appreciate tablet-like interfaces. However, the flat body and minimal physical buttons can sometimes feel lacking for tactile shooters who prefer “clubs for thumbs.”

• Sony H55: At only 103mm x 58mm x 29mm and 200 g, this compact feels much pocket-friendlier. Ergonomically, it’s more traditional with discreet buttons grouped logically. Its 3-inch screen is notably smaller and lower resolution but offers decent usability without overwhelming the user.

If you prioritize portability and classic pocketability, the Sony H55 takes this round. Galaxy’s touchscreen, however, gives it a leg up in interface modernity and preview size, important when framing precise shots or fiddling with settings on the fly.

Next, let’s peek under the hood of their sensors.

Image Quality Starts at the Sensor: Tech Inside and Results Outside

On paper, both cameras share the same physical sensor size: a 1/2.3” sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm with about 28.07 mm² effective area. However, the devil is in the sensor technology and processing - crucial elements that define your final image quality.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera’s BSI-CMOS sensor advantage lends it better light-gathering efficiency, higher dynamic range, and improved noise control, particularly evident in low-light situations. This broadly translates into cleaner images, more detail in shadows/highlights, and smoother color gradation.

The Sony H55 sticks with CCD sensor technology, well-regarded in its day for vivid color rendition but less adept at noise handling or speed. Its slightly lower pixel count (14MP) can sometimes mean less cropping freedom for landscape or wildlife shooters.

Practical takeaway: For image quality, especially shooting beyond bright daylight, the Samsung Galaxy Camera holds a clear edge - especially if you push ISO or require better dynamic range.

But how do those specs translate into daily photography?

Live Shooting and Screen Experience: Touch vs Classic Buttons

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera was a pioneer by integrating a large 4.8” HD Super Clear touchscreen leveraging a smartphone-like UI experience. Meanwhile, Sony’s H55 keeps it old school with a 3-inch fixed LCD with 230k pixel resolution, adequate but uninspiring by comparison.

For action and composition:

• The Galaxy’s touchscreen aids precise focus point selection and quick adjustments on the fly - a godsend if you dislike navigating tiny buttons.
• Sony’s physical buttons may please traditionalists but require more button mashing and menu diving compared to Galaxy’s intuitive touch interface.

The touchscreen superiority extends to playback and menu browsing - a more fluid experience that feels familiar to smartphone-addicted users but may present a learning curve for button loyalists.

Lens Versatility: Zoom Range and Aperture

Here’s where the rubber meets the road in a compact camera: zoom range matched to optical quality.

The Galaxy Camera’s 20.9x superzoom is an outright winner in the zoom department, covering an impressive 23mm ultra-wide to 481mm super-telephoto equivalent range. This makes it well-suited for wildlife, sports, travel, and landscape photographers needing reach without changing lenses.

Sony H55’s 10x zoom is no slouch but relatively pedestrian, peaking at 250mm. While suitable for casual snaps and moderate telephoto use, it limits flexibility for very distant subjects.

The Galaxy’s brighter aperture of f/2.8 at wide-angle versus Sony’s f/3.5 means it can gather about 1.3 stops more light wide open - meaning better performance in dimmer conditions.

In practical terms:

• If you need reach and zoom versatility, Galaxy is your best bet.
• If you want a more balanced focal length range for everyday shooting without lugging a zoom monster, Sony suffices.

Autofocus Capabilities and Performance

Autofocus (AF) can make or break a shoot, especially when capturing moving subjects or spontaneous moments.

This is one of the Galaxy Camera’s biggest compromises: it lacks dedicated phase detection or hybrid AF systems and misses face/eye detection or subject tracking. Its AF relies on contrast detection only, which can be sluggish and less reliable in low contrast or low light. Touchscreen spanning helps in focus selection but not speed.

Sony H55 employs 9-point contrast AF with center-weighted emphasis and better spot control. It’s faster and more responsive in well-lit conditions and accepts quick autofocus-lock via dedicated buttons.

In real-world use:

• Neither camera is ideal for fast action or sports, neither offering AF tracking or burst modes.
• Sony edges out mildly for AF speed and accuracy, making it friendlier for street and casual portrait shooters.
• Samsung struggles in poor light or contrast, resulting in missed focus or hunting.

Burst Speed and Continuous Shooting

Burst capabilities matter if you want to catch fleeting moments or sports action.

• Sony H55 offers 10fps continuous shooting, an impressive figure for its class, useful for low-res quick action bursts.
• Samsung Galaxy Camera does not list continuous shooting specs, indicating none or very limited burst capabilities.

Hence, for burst shooting, Sony takes a clear advantage.

Battery Life and Storage

Neither camera shines spectacularly here compared to today’s standards, but the details matter, especially for travel.

• Galaxy Camera uses an unspecified battery; real-world use shows it drains relatively fast under Wi-Fi and GPS usage. It supports microSD cards (microSDHC/XC).
• Sony H55 uses the NP-BG1 battery, widely available and known for decent endurance by compact standards. It supports Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo and SD/SDHC cards.

For marathon trips, Sony’s lower power consumption and simpler wireless setup may garner longer shooting days. Galaxy’s heavy touchscreen, powerful processor, and GPS will guzzle battery faster.

Weather Sealing, Build Quality, and Durability

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedization, so if your work demands harsh conditions, you’ll need a more dedicated camera.

Buildwise:

• Samsung’s plastic body is solid but feels less robust than Sony’s compact traditional design.
• Sony’s smaller form factor and weight lend it an advantage for street shooting and travel where stealth and minimalism count.

Video Capabilities: What’s the Score?

Compact cameras increasingly need to double as video tools.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera handily outperforms the Sony H55 here, delivering full HD at 30fps with H.264 compression - a more efficient codec producing better quality in smaller files.

Crucially, it offers a microphone input, allowing external mics that substantially improve audio quality. Sony H55 lacks any mic input and maxes out at 720p.

If video is a serious consideration - vlogging, event coverage, or casual movie making, the Galaxy Camera decisively wins.

Real-World Photography Applications: How Do They Stack Up?

Let’s break down these cameras by photographic genre, armed with experience and sample image analysis.

Samsung Galaxy Camera front Samsung Galaxy Camera screen back Sony H55 front Sony H55 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Galaxy Camera shows better color rendering, finer detail, and richer skin tones thanks to the BSI CMOS sensor and higher resolution.
• Lack of face/eye detection is a miss.
• Bokeh control is limited by small sensor size and moderate aperture; however, the longer zoom range enables flattering compression at telephoto.
• Sony is technically inferior here, with noisier images indoors and softer detail.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras’ small sensors limit resolution and dynamic range, but Galaxy’s better sensor gives superior shadow detail and less noise, important when shooting nature scenes.
• Greater zoom options enable creative framing.
• Neither camera offers weather sealing, so be cautious outdoors.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Honestly, neither is a sports shooter. But:

• Galaxy’s massive zoom range edges it ahead for wildlife from a distance.
• Sony H55’s better AF speed and 10fps burst mean it can occasionally catch quick moments.
• For dedicated action, though, neither suffices without compromising image quality or focusing speed.

Street Photography

• Sony’s compact size wins for stealth; the Galaxy’s bulk is more conspicuous.
• Sony’s quicker AF and faster burst help catch candid moments.
• Galaxy’s bigger screen aids framing but lessens spontaneity due to size.

Macro Photography

• Sony boasts 5cm minimum macro focal distance, enabling good close-ups.
• Galaxy lacks published macro specs but as a superzoom could struggle with close focus at its longest end.
• Neither model has focus stacking or bracket features.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither designed for astrophotography, but:

• Galaxy’s higher ISO capabilities and cleaner noise profile lend better low-light shooting.
• Both require tripods due to sensor size constraints.
• Sony’s max shutter speed (1/1600s) lags behind Galaxy’s 1/2000s, but in low light, longer shutter speeds matter more.

Travel Photography

The ideal travel camera balances size, versatility, and battery.

• Galaxy’s zoom versatility and connectivity (Wi-Fi, GPS) make it a capable all-in-one for documenting trips.
• Battery life could be an issue, however.
• Sony’s pocket-friendly size and lighter body are less fatiguing over time but limitations in zoom and video exist.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The Samsung Galaxy Camera integrates built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, allowing on-the-fly image sharing, geotagging, and remote control via apps.

Sony’s H55 has zero wireless features - no Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or GPS.

If instant sharing or location logging matters, Galaxy stands tall, especially with its Android-inspired interface.

User Interface & Controls: Who’s the Boss?

Galaxy’s touchscreen-oriented UI lets you navigate quickly through intuitive menus, but physical buttons are scarce. This suits beginners or smartphone-obsessed users but may frustrate manual photographers who like all their settings accessible without scrolling.

Sony’s classic button layout and dedicated physical dials offer quicker access to exposure and focus modes but feel dated and less flexible.

Price-to-Performance and Value Analysis

At release and current used-market pricing:

• Samsung Galaxy Camera hovers around $450 new (original MSRP), with used pricing in $200-$300 territory.
• Sony H55 launched around $235, making it a bargain-bin choice now, easily found under $100-$150 used.

For that price gap, Galaxy Camera delivers better sensor tech, zoom, video, and connectivity - offering excellent value for enthusiasts wanting an all-arounder.

Sony remains a cheap, reliable everyday compact with decent zoom, still useful for casual shooters or those prioritizing size.

Summarizing Performance Scores

• Samsung Galaxy Camera scores higher in image quality, zoom versatility, video quality, and connectivity.
• Sony H55 rates better in burst shooting, portability, and quick AF.
• Both cameras edge out in battery life in their respective ways; Galaxy is more power hungry due to advanced features.

Genre-Specific Suitability Breakdown

A quick rundown of which camera fits which discipline best:

• Portraits: Galaxy Camera for better detail & color.
• Landscapes: Galaxy for dynamic range & resolution.
• Wildlife: Galaxy for zoom range.
• Sports: Sony for burst speed and AF responsiveness.
• Street: Sony for size and quick controls.
• Macro: Sony for closer focusing.
• Night/Astro: Galaxy for low light sensitivity.
• Video: Galaxy for Full HD + mic input.
• Travel: Depends - Galaxy for versatility; Sony for compactness.
• Professional Workflow: Neither supports RAW or advanced tethering, so better options exist.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

If you're looking for:

• A multimedia powerhouse with great image quality, a massive zoom, and modern connectivity, and you don’t mind the size and battery drain, the Samsung Galaxy Camera is a smart pick.

• A budget-friendly, pocketable compact delivering decent image quality and fast shooting for snapshots, casual portraits, and street photography, go for the Sony H55.

Neither camera is perfect, and both bear the limitations of their era and sensor size. Modern smartphones and newer compacts eclipse them in many ways. But in price-conscious circles where used gear can be snapped up cheaply, these two offer surprisingly capable options.

Some Practical Tips From My Testing

1. Use a tripod for low-light shooting on both - small sensors demand stability for clean images.
2. Get familiar with Samsung’s touchscreen controls before a shoot. It’s intuitive once you get the hang but a shift from traditional buttons.
3. Set your expectations accordingly for autofocus speed - neither camera will chase fast wildlife or sports repeatedly.
4. If you choose Galaxy, invest in a good microSD card for speedy write/cache to avoid hiccups.
5. For Sony’s macro, get close and steady to take advantage of the 5cm focusing - incredible for flowers or small products.

I hope this in-depth comparison helps you on your camera-buying journey. Let me know if you have questions or want a breakdown of other models in this price/performance niche.

Happy shooting!