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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300

Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Samsung HZ15W
(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
  • Also Known as WB550
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Introduced January 2008
  • Successor is Sony A330
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the HZ15W (12MP) and the A300 (10MP) is fairly similar but the HZ15W (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The HZ15W was released 13 months after the A300 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the HZ15W matches up against the A300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony A300

 HZ15W A300 
IntroducedFebruary 2009January 2008More modern by 13 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Samsung HZ15W

 A300 HZ15W 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony A300

 HZ15W A300 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung HZ15W comes with external dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony A300 has specifications of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the HZ15W vs the A300.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HZ15W and A300 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The image below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ15W and A300.

As you can tell, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The HZ15W due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Samsung HZ15W will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent HZ15W should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
Portrait photography with Sony A300
32
manual focus
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
59
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
Sony A300 as a Street photography camera
53
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competitors (249g)
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Sports photography information
Sony A300 Sports photography information
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
54
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 fps)
resolution not great (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Travel photography details
Sony A300 Travel photography details
54
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (249g)
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
45
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography advice
Sony A300 Landscape photography advice
41
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
57
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
resolution not great (10MP)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging information
Sony A300 Vlogging information
29
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competitors (249g)
9
can't shoot video
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony A300
 Samsung HZ15WSony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ15W Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Also Known as WB550 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-02-23 2008-01-30
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.8 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 249 grams (0.55 lb) 632 grams (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 538
Other
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal Compact Flash
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $330 $0