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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 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
  • Alternative Name is WB550
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A99
Photography Glossary

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 Overview

Lets look closer at the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony A900, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the HZ15W (12MP) and A900 (25MP) and the HZ15W (1/2.3") and A900 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The HZ15W was introduced 5 months later than the A900 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the HZ15W matches up versus the A900 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony A900

 HZ15W A900 

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Samsung HZ15W

 A900 HZ15W 
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony A900

 HZ15W A900 
RevealedFebruary 2009October 2008Same generation
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ15W provides exterior measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony A900 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony A900 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the HZ15W against the A900.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HZ15W and A900 is 90 and 54 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the HZ15W and A900.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The HZ15W using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A900 will provide extra detail using its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
Sony A900 Portrait photography factors
31
manual focus
provides face detect focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
71
manual focus
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography features
Sony A900 Street photography features
52
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than others (249g)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
Sports photography with Sony A900
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
Travel photography with Sony A900
54
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (249 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
weather proof
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography info
Sony A900 Landscape photography info
40
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
no liveview
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung HZ15W
Vlogging with Sony A900
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than others (249g)
9
no video shooting
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony A900
 Samsung HZ15WSony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ15W Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Also called WB550 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-02-23 2008-10-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.8 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.70 m no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250s
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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) 895g (1.97 lbs)
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 All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 images
Style of battery - 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 Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots One Two
Price at launch $330 $2,736