Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A7R
90 Imaging
34 Features
31 Overall
32


78 Imaging
74 Features
76 Overall
74
Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A7R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
- 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
- Released February 2009
- Additionally referred to as WB550
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Released February 2014
- New Model is Sony A7R II

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A7R Overview
The following is a thorough analysis of the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony A7R, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the HZ15W (12MP) and A7R (36MP) and the HZ15W (1/2.3") and A7R (Full frame) feature totally different sensor size.

The HZ15W was launched 6 years earlier than the A7R which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the HZ15W grades against the A7R for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A7R Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung HZ15W and Sony Alpha A7R. The complete galleries are available at Samsung HZ15W Gallery and Sony A7R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony A7R
HZ15W | A7R |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Samsung HZ15W
A7R | HZ15W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 60 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+770k dot) |
Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony A7R
HZ15W | A7R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung HZ15W offers exterior dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony A7R has dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).
Compare the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony A7R in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the HZ15W and the A7R.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the HZ15W and A7R is 90 and 78 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading specs. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ15W and A7R.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The HZ15W because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A7R will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 24 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged HZ15W is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A7R Specifications
Samsung HZ15W | Sony Alpha A7R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Sony |
Model | Samsung HZ15W | Sony Alpha A7R |
Also called | WB550 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Pro Mirrorless |
Released | 2009-02-23 | 2014-02-13 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 36MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 7360 x 4912 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 24-240mm (10.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.3-5.8 | - |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 1,230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | - | Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 16 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.70 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix | no built-in flash |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 249g (0.55 lbs) | 465g (1.03 lbs) |
Dimensions | 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 95 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 25.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 2746 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 340 shots |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $330 | $1,898 |