Samsung HZ15W vs Sony a5000

Here is a in depth assessment of the Samsung HZ15W and Sony a5000, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the HZ15W (12MP) and a5000 (20MP) and the HZ15W (1/2.3") and a5000 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The HZ15W was announced 5 years prior to the a5000 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony a5000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the HZ15W scores versus the a5000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung HZ15W and Sony Alpha a5000. The whole galleries are viewable at Samsung HZ15W Gallery and Sony a5000 Gallery.

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ15W provides outside 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) and the Sony a5000 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Samsung HZ15W and Sony a5000 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the HZ15W and the a5000.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the HZ15W and a5000 is 90 and 89 respectively.

In many cases, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specs. The graphic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ15W and a5000.

All in all, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The HZ15W with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony a5000 will offer you extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older HZ15W is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.