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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as WB550
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 Overview

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the HZ15W (12MP) and W690 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The HZ15W was unveiled 4 years earlier than the W690 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the HZ15W matches up versus the W690 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony W690

 HZ15W W690 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Samsung HZ15W

 W690 HZ15W 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2009More recent by 36 months

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony W690

 HZ15W W690 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you 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") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony W690 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the HZ15W versus the W690.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the HZ15W and W690 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ15W and W690.

As you can tell, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Sony W690 to deliver more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older HZ15W is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
Sony W690 Portrait photography factors
31
manual focus
features face detect autofocus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography info
Sony W690 Street photography info
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition (249g)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Sports photography camera
Sony W690 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Travel photography camera
Sony W690 as a Travel photography camera
54
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (249 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography factors
Sony W690 Landscape photography factors
40
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse function
43
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
Sony W690 as a Vlogging camera
28
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
more heavy than competition (249 grams)
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony W690
 Samsung HZ15WSony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ15W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Also referred to as WB550 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-23 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.70 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 MPEG-4
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 gr (0.55 pounds) 142 gr (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 94 x 56 x 22mm (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
Battery life - 220 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $330 $297