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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as WB550
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Samsung HZ15W and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the HZ15W (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The HZ15W was announced very close to the S980 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the HZ15W grades vs the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony S980

 HZ15W S980 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung HZ15W

 S980 HZ15W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony S980

 HZ15W S980 
RevealedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar generation
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Samsung HZ15W enjoys outside measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Samsung HZ15W and Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the HZ15W against the S980.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HZ15W and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ15W and S980.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels and you should expect similar quality of pictures but you should always factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
31
has manual focus
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography advice
Sony S980 Street photography advice
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than others in class (249 grams)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Sports photography information
Sony S980 Sports photography information
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
17
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
54
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (249 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
40
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
27
focusing manually
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
28
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than others in class (249 grams)
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony S980
 Samsung HZ15WSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ15W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Other name WB550 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 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 measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 grams (0.55 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical 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 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
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 1 1
Price at launch $330 $300