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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V

Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 referred to as WB550
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX10V
  • Later Model is Sony HX30V
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below is a thorough comparison of the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony HX20V, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the HZ15W (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The HZ15W was revealed 4 years earlier than the HX20V and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the HZ15W matches up versus the HX20V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony HX20V

 HZ15W HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Samsung HZ15W

 HX20V HZ15W 
AnnouncedJuly 2012February 2009More recent by 41 months
Display resolution922k460kClearer display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony HX20V

 HZ15W HX20V 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung HZ15W has outer measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Examine the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony HX20V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the HZ15W vs the HX20V.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HZ15W and HX20V is 90 and 90 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to see the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ15W and HX20V.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony HX20V to give you greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older HZ15W is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
Sony HX20V Portrait photography factors
32
you can focus manually
features face detect focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
45
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography details
Sony HX20V Street photography details
53
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than average (249g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
Sports photography with Sony HX20V
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Travel photography highlights
Sony HX20V Travel photography highlights
54
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (249g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others (254g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung HZ15W
Landscape photography with Sony HX20V
41
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
50
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging features
Sony HX20V Vlogging features
29
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
heavier than average (249 grams)
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony HX20V
 Samsung HZ15WSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ15W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Also Known as WB550 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-23 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.70 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 gr (0.55 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 320 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $330 $397