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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
70
Imaging
35
Features
32
Overall
33
Samsung HZ25W front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Samsung HZ25W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 116 x 83 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Alternative Name is WB5000
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-C3
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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Samsung HZ25W versus Sony NEX-3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ25W (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively similar but the HZ25W (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The HZ25W was unveiled within a month of the NEX-3 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung HZ25W being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a simple summation of how the HZ25W grades versus the NEX-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ25W over the Sony NEX-3

 HZ25W NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Samsung HZ25W

 NEX-3 HZ25W 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ25W and Sony NEX-3

 HZ25W NEX-3 
ReleasedJuly 2010June 2010Similar age
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Samsung HZ25W features exterior dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has specifications of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Examine the Samsung HZ25W versus Sony NEX-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the HZ25W compared to the NEX-3.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HZ25W and NEX-3 is 70 and 89 respectively.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading technical specs. The picture here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ25W and NEX-3.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The HZ25W having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-3 will offer more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography details
34
has manual focus
exports RAW formats
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Street photography details
Sony NEX-3 Street photography details
55
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ25W
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
34
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung HZ25W
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
52
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
megapixel count good (14MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography features
43
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
68
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ25W as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Vlogging camera
24
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
27
has face detect focus
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ25W and Sony NEX-3
 Samsung HZ25WSony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ25W Sony Alpha NEX-3
Other name WB5000 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-07-06 2010-06-07
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 64 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428g (0.94 lbs) 297g (0.65 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 83 x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.0
DXO Low light score not tested 830
Other
Battery life - 330 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $350 $0