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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 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
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternative Name is WB550
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Photography Glossary

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Samsung HZ15W and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the HZ15W (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The HZ15W was introduced around the same time to the S950 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the HZ15W matches up versus the S950 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony S950

 HZ15W S950 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Samsung HZ15W

 S950 HZ15W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony S950

 HZ15W S950 
RevealedFebruary 2009February 2009Same generation
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung HZ15W has physical 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) whilst the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung HZ15W and Sony S950 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the HZ15W and the S950.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the HZ15W and S950 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The photograph below will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ15W and S950.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Samsung HZ15W to produce more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography info
Sony S950 Portrait photography info
31
focusing manually
includes face detect focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
26
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography features
Sony S950 Street photography features
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than others (249 grams)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Sports photography information
Sony S950 Sports photography information
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
Travel photography with Sony S950
54
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than others (249g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
50
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography info
Sony S950 Landscape photography info
40
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
31
you can focus manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging factors
Sony S950 Vlogging factors
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
heavier than others (249g)
9
can't record video
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony S950
 Samsung HZ15WSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ15W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Otherwise known as WB550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-23 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 249 gr (0.55 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $330 $130