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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 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
  • Launched February 2009
  • Other Name is WB550
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed April 2010
Photography Glossary

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony A850, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the HZ15W (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the HZ15W (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) offer different sensor measurements.

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The HZ15W was launched 13 months prior to the A850 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the HZ15W scores vs the A850 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony A850

 HZ15W A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Samsung HZ15W

 A850 HZ15W 
RevealedApril 2010February 2009More modern by 13 months
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony A850

 HZ15W A850 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Samsung HZ15W provides 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) whilst the Sony A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

See the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the HZ15W versus the A850.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ15W and A850 is 90 and 54 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ15W and A850.

As you can see, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The HZ15W featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A850 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 13 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged HZ15W is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography details
Sony A850 Portrait photography details
31
you can focus manually
provides face detection focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
72
has manual focus
resolution is fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography info
Sony A850 Street photography info
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than others (249 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
Sports photography with Sony A850
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Travel photography factors
Sony A850 Travel photography factors
54
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (249 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
55
environment proof
resolution is fantastic (25 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography features
Sony A850 Landscape photography features
40
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging details
Sony A850 Vlogging details
28
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than others (249 grams)
9
can't record video
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony A850
 Samsung HZ15WSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ15W Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Alternate name WB550 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-02-23 2010-04-15
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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 Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 grams (0.55 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One Dual
Pricing at release $330 $0