Clicky

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 front
Portability
64
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Additionally Known as WB550
Sony A560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A500
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony A560, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the HZ15W (12MP) and the A560 (14MP) is very comparable but the HZ15W (1/2.3") and A560 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The HZ15W was revealed 18 months prior to the A560 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony A560 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the HZ15W scores versus the A560 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony A560

 HZ15W A560 

Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Samsung HZ15W

 A560 HZ15W 
AnnouncedAugust 2010February 2009Fresher by 18 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony A560

 HZ15W A560 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ15W has got 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 A560 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony A560 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the HZ15W compared to the A560.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the HZ15W and A560 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ15W and A560.

As you can see, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The HZ15W having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A560 will provide more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older HZ15W will be behind in sensor tech.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
Portrait photography with Sony A560
31
has manual focus
offers face detect autofocus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography information
Sony A560 Street photography information
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than competition (249g)
75
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Sports photography advice
Sony A560 Sports photography advice
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Travel photography features
Sony A560 Travel photography features
54
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (249g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
good battery pack (1,050 per charge)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography advice
Sony A560 Landscape photography advice
40
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (1,050 shots)
2 card slots
missing Timelapse function
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging information
Sony A560 Vlogging information
28
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (249g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly display
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony A560
 Samsung HZ15WSony Alpha DSLR-A560
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ15W Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
Also referred to as WB550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-02-23 2010-08-24
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.8 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 16s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate - 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 249g (0.55 lbs) 599g (1.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 817
Other
Battery life - 1050 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single 2
Price at release $330 $650