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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 Key Specs

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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is WB550
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • New Model is Sony A9 II
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the HZ15W (12MP) and A9 (24MP) and the HZ15W (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The HZ15W was manufactured 9 years before the A9 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the HZ15W grades against the A9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony A9

 HZ15W A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Samsung HZ15W

 A9 HZ15W 
IntroducedApril 2017February 2009More modern by 99 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kCrisper display (+980k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony A9

 HZ15W A9 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ15W provides outside measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony A9 has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the HZ15W and the A9.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the HZ15W and A9 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specifications. The pic here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ15W and A9.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The HZ15W featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A9 will deliver extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged HZ15W is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography features
Sony A9 Portrait photography features
31
you can focus manually
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
83
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography highlights
Sony A9 Street photography highlights
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (249g)
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Sports photography details
Sony A9 Sports photography details
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery power (650 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Travel photography details
Sony A9 Travel photography details
54
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (249g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
73
better than average battery power (650 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
40
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
85
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery power (650 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging advice
Sony A9 Vlogging advice
28
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
heavier than competition (249 grams)
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony A9
 Samsung HZ15WSony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ15W Sony Alpha A9
Also called as WB550 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2009-02-23 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 693
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.70 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249g (0.55 lbs) 673g (1.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life - 650 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 Two
Launch pricing $330 $4,498