Samsung HZ15W vs Sony NEX-3

In this article, we will be evaluating the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony NEX-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ15W (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively close but the HZ15W (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The HZ15W was manufactured 15 months earlier than the NEX-3 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the HZ15W matches up versus the NEX-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung HZ15W & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are viewable at Samsung HZ15W Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.

For those who are going to carry around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Samsung HZ15W enjoys physical 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) while the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Look at the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the HZ15W versus the NEX-3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HZ15W and NEX-3 is 90 and 89 respectively.

More often than not, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ15W and NEX-3.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The HZ15W because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-3 will result in greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged HZ15W will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.