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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also referred to as WB550
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony A35
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the HZ15W (12MP) and A37 (16MP) and the HZ15W (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The HZ15W was announced 4 years prior to the A37 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the HZ15W scores versus the A37 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony A37

 HZ15W A37 
Screen sizing3"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.4")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Samsung HZ15W

 A37 HZ15W 
LaunchedMay 2012February 2009Newer by 39 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony A37

 HZ15W A37 
Manual focus More precise focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ15W features outer dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony A37 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Compare the Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the HZ15W against the A37.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HZ15W and A37 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over technical specs. The pic here should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ15W and A37.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The HZ15W using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A37 will offer you extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged HZ15W is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
Portrait photography with Sony A37
31
you can focus manually
has face detect focusing
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
Sony A37 as a Street photography camera
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (249g)
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Sports photography advice
Sony A37 Sports photography advice
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Travel photography camera
Sony A37 as a Travel photography camera
54
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (249 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery (500 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography factors
Sony A37 Landscape photography factors
40
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
64
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.6")
terrible battery (500 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
Sony A37 as a Vlogging camera
28
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (249 grams)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony A37
 Samsung HZ15WSony SLT-A37
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ15W Sony SLT-A37
Also referred to as WB550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-02-23 2012-05-16
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.8 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 2.6"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.70 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 gr (0.55 pounds) 506 gr (1.12 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 799
Other
Battery life - 500 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $330 $522