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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 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
  • Other Name is WB550
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the HZ15W (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty similar and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The HZ15W was launched around the same time to the W230 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the HZ15W matches up versus the W230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony W230

 HZ15W W230 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Samsung HZ15W

 W230 HZ15W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony W230

 HZ15W W230 
LaunchedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar age
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ15W offers 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) whilst the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the HZ15W against the W230.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ15W and W230 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specifications. The visual below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ15W and W230.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP so you can expect similar quality of photos though you will need to take the launch date of the products into consideration.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography advice
Sony W230 Portrait photography advice
31
focusing manually
features face detection focusing
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung HZ15W
Street photography with Sony W230
52
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (249 grams)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
Sports photography with Sony W230
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
Travel photography with Sony W230
54
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (249g)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
40
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
36
manual focus
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
Sony W230 as a Vlogging camera
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than competition (249 grams)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony W230
 Samsung HZ15WSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ15W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Alternate name WB550 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-23 2009-02-17
Body design 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
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) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 16s 1s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.70 m 3.90 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 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 grams (0.55 pounds) 156 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 media SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $330 $180