Samsung HZ25W vs Sony HX400V: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

When you're exploring small sensor superzoom cameras, you're often balancing an extensive zoom range with portability and user-friendly features. Two standout options in this category are the Samsung HZ25W (also known as WB5000) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V. Although both fall under the "superzoom" umbrella, their designs, capabilities, and target users diverge significantly. Drawing from thousands of hours spent rigorously testing cameras in the field, here is an in-depth comparison that will help you understand how these two models stack up across various photography disciplines and practical usage scenarios.

Getting a Feel: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Samsung HZ25W embraces compactness with its straightforward, pocketable shape, weighing 428 grams and measuring 116x83x92mm. It’s designed for light travel, casual shooting, and ease of carry. In contrast, the Sony HX400V is a larger, SLR-style bridge camera at 660 grams and 130x93x103mm, offering more substantial handgrip and robust control layout befitting its broader feature set.

Both cameras feature solid plastic bodies without environmental sealing - neither excels in ruggedness or weather resistance. Neither is truly shockproof, dustproof, or waterproof, so precaution is wise for outdoor use.

Ergonomically, Sony’s larger form supports better handling during extended shoots, especially at heavy telephoto reach, while Samsung’s compact frame suits casual day trips or spontaneous shots better.

Sony adds dedicated dials and buttons for aperture/shutter priority modes and exposure compensation, which may appeal to users who want manual control without complicated menus. Samsung’s controls are simpler, leaning to point-and-shoot convenience but limiting creative exposure adjustments.

Our verdict: You prioritize portability and casual ease - Samsung HZ25W fits neatly in your pockets. Need more robust handling and creative control? Sony HX400V’s bridge-style ergonomics give you that professional feel.

Sensor and Image Quality: Do Mega Pixels and Sensor Types Matter?

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor size, common in compact superzoom cameras. However, the Sony HX400V sports a higher-resolution 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor, compared to Samsung HZ25W’s 12MP CCD sensor.

• Sony's BSI-CMOS sensor generally offers better low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and faster data readout. This means you can expect cleaner images at high ISO with less noise, benefitting action, night, and astro photography.
• Samsung’s CCD produces good color reproduction but struggles above ISO 800, often resulting in more noise and softer details in low light.

The Sony’s sensor also supports a wider native ISO range (80-12800), extending shooting flexibility in challenging illumination, while Samsung caps out at ISO 3200, limiting usability in dark conditions.

Samsung’s 12MP resolution is sufficient for casual prints and digital use, but Sony’s 20MP gives you more cropping room and detail retention, important for landscape and wildlife where every pixel counts.

Practical real-world impact: When shooting broad landscapes with complex textures or detailed wildlife subjects, Sony HX400V’s sensor offers more versatility and image fidelity. Samsung HZ25W can satisfy general snapshots but shows its age in detail and noise control.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: How Far Can You Go?

The Sony HX400V doubles down on a 50x zoom reach compared to Samsung’s 24x. Practically, this means you can clearly capture subjects up to 1200mm equivalent focal length, excellent for wildlife and distant sports.

Samsung's lens starts at 26mm, which is wider than Sony’s 24mm but only narrowly. Wide-angle shots for sweeping landscapes or architecture remain similarly feasible on both.

Sony's telephoto aperture narrows slightly to f/6.3, which reduces speed in dim conditions, but the built-in optical image stabilization helps offset camera shake.

Samsung’s brighter aperture at the tele end (f/5.0) is an advantage but is offset by the shorter zoom range.

Both cameras provide respectable macro focusing, but Sony’s ability to focus within 1 cm unlocks far closer detail shots, valuable for macro enthusiasts.

In practice: Sony HX400V’s lens versatility gives it an edge for users who need extreme reach, including bird watchers and sports shooters. Samsung HZ25W is fine for casual telephoto or wide landscape shots but not specialized close-up work.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: How Fast and Accurate Are They?

Samsung relies on contrast-detection autofocus only, with central AF area focusing and no continuous autofocus or tracking features. It lacks face detection or animal eye AF, limiting its utility for action or portraiture.

Sony incorporates contrast-detect AF with face detection and AF tracking, plus 9 focus points, including multi-area and selective options. Although not on par with hybrid phase-detect systems in high-end cameras, this system allows better subject acquisition and tracking in dynamic environments.

Burst shooting capability is non-existent or not specified on the Samsung, while Sony offers 10fps continuous shooting, adequate for capturing sports or wildlife sequences.

What this means for you: If you require precise AF tracking - for moving subjects in sports or wildlife photography - Sony’s autofocus system performs noticeably better. Samsung suits more static scenes or casual use.

Display and Viewfinder: How Do You Frame Your Shots?

The Samsung HZ25W’s 3-inch fixed LCD has a resolution of just 230k dots, resulting in a grainy, less sharp live view. It lacks any viewfinder, so you must compose using the LCD, which can be challenging in bright sunlight.

Sony HX400V offers a 3-inch tilting screen with much sharper 921k dots resolution, supporting flexible shooting angles and detailed menu navigation. Best of all, it includes a built-in 100% coverage electronic viewfinder (EVF), critical for stable eye-level composing, especially with long telephoto shots.

In bright outdoor conditions, the Sony’s EVF makes it much easier to see your subject clearly. The tilting screen also benefits macro or creative angle shots.

Usability takeaway: Sony’s display and viewfinder combination boosts compositional accuracy and comfort, particularly for serious photographers. Samsung's minimalist fixed screen limits compositional options and preview quality.

Video Capabilities: Can They Record Your Adventures?

Sony leaps ahead with full HD recording at 60p for smooth motion capture. Samsung maxes out at 720p HD with Motion JPEG compression, which is less efficient and produces larger files at lower quality.

Sony also includes a microphone port, a substantial advantage for vloggers or filmmakers looking to record quality audio. Neither camera has headphone jacks or advanced video features such as 4K capture or high frame rate slo-mo.

Both benefit from optical image stabilization to smooth handheld footage, but Sony’s better sensor and processor (Bionz X) contribute to improved overall video quality.

In practical terms: If video is a key part of your creative pursuits, the Sony HX400V offers a more versatile, professional video toolkit.

Battery Life and Connectivity: How Long Can You Shoot and Stay Connected?

Sony HX400V’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC facilitate easy image transfer to smartphones or tablets for instant sharing - a big plus for travel and social media users. The GPS module also automatically geotags images, handy for organizing travel photos.

Samsung lacks any wireless features, relying solely on USB 2.0 for data transfer.

Battery life on the Sony is official at approximately 300 shots per charge, standard for bridge cameras. Samsung’s battery endurance is not well documented but expected to be less, given smaller battery capacity.

Connectivity and longevity insight: Sony provides clear advantages for those who value mobility, image sharing, and longer working sessions.

Special Features and Usability Nuggets

• Samsung HZ25W supports RAW capture, which is unusual and impressive for a compact superzoom from its era, giving you more flexibility in image post-processing. However, its limited sensor and processor restrict high-quality RAW output usability.

• Sony HX400V does not offer RAW, focusing instead on JPEG and efficient compression via AVCHD video.

• Sony also supports exposure bracketing and a broader suite of flash modes, including wireless option, useful for creative lighting setups. Samsung’s flash options are basic.

• Both cameras lack touchscreen control and have no weather sealing, so don’t expect rugged reliability in harsh conditions.

• Sony’s broader lens compatibility (covers multiple SD and Memory Stick formats) offers better future-proofing for storage.

Diving into Photography Genres: Which Camera Shines Where?

Understanding how these cameras perform in different use cases helps you identify which model fits your needs best.

Portrait Photography

• Samsung HZ25W: Basic AF with no face or eye detection limits critical focus on eyes. Bokeh quality is average due to small sensor and relatively slow lens at telephoto.

• Sony HX400V: Face detection and selective AF help achieve sharper focus on subjects. The longer zoom and manual exposure allow more creative portrait lighting.

Recommendation: For casual portraits, Samsung suffices; for more nuanced portraits, Sony excels.

Landscape Photography

• Samsung HZ25W: 12MP resolution with moderate dynamic range is limiting. Fixed LCD hampers histogram and highlight checking.

• Sony HX400V: Higher resolution and better sensor dynamic range capture more detail and tonal gradations. Tilting screen aids composition. GPS tagging helps organize shots.

Recommendation: Sony is the better choice for landscape enthusiasts.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Samsung HZ25W: Relatively slow continuous shooting and basic AF make tracking fast subjects difficult.

• Sony HX400V: 10fps burst, AF tracking, and 1200mm reach provide better performance for distant or fast-moving subjects.

Recommendation: Sony is clearly better suited here.

Street Photography

• Samsung HZ25W: Compact size advantageous for discreet shooting.

• Sony HX400V: Larger size and weight less discreet.

Recommendation: For pure portability and concealment, Samsung wins. For advanced control with less focus on stealth, pick Sony.

Macro Photography

• Samsung HZ25W: Minimum focusing distance of 10cm is moderate.

• Sony HX400V: 1cm macro focusing offers extreme close-up shots.

Recommendation: Sony excels in macro.

Night and Astrophotography

• Samsung HZ25W: High ISO images noisy after ISO 800.

• Sony HX400V: Higher max ISO and lower noise allowed by BSI-CMOS sensor support better low light and astrophotography.

Recommendation: For night shooting, go with Sony.

Travel Photography

• Samsung HZ25W: Compactness and light weight favor portability.

• Sony HX400V: Versatility, built-in GPS, and wireless connectivity lend better travel utility.

Recommendation: Balance size against capability; lean Samsung if packing light, Sony if comprehensive shooting options matter.

Video Recording

• Samsung HZ25W: 720p video with limited features.

• Sony HX400V: Full HD 1080p at 60fps, microphone support, better codec.

Recommendation: For video content creators, Sony is best.

Professional Use

Neither camera is truly professional-grade due to limited build quality and small sensors, but Sony’s advanced controls and features align better with enthusiasts seeking reliability.

Our Final Ratings: Performance and Value

Wrap-Up: Which Should You Choose?

• Get the Samsung HZ25W if…

  • You want a compact, affordable superzoom camera for casual everyday use.
  • You prioritize lightweight portability over manual control.
  • RAW photo shoot capability is important, even if limited.

• Get the Sony HX400V if…

  • You require extensive zoom range for wildlife or sports.
  • You want better image quality and more manual and video control.
  • You value connectivity features and GPS for travel.
  • You shoot in mixed lighting and need faster shutter speeds and better AF.

Both cameras serve the superzoom niche but cater to distinct audiences - Samsung leans towards casual entry-level photographers while Sony targets advanced enthusiasts seeking control and versatility.

Samsung HZ25W front Samsung HZ25W screen back Sony HX400V front Sony HX400V screen back

Recommendations for Getting Started

• Whichever camera you choose, invest in a sturdy camera bag for protection.
• Try to experiment with manual controls on the Sony to discover creative possibilities.
• For Samsung users, focus on composition and lighting to compensate for limited AF.
• Practice using the Sony EVF for better stability and framing, especially with telephoto shots.
• Explore third-party SD cards (Class 10 or higher) for reliable storage.

Ultimately, your choice depends on how much versatility and image quality you desire versus compactness and simplicity. Both cameras have a place in the photography ecosystem, reflecting different priorities on your creative journey. Check them out in person if possible, and get ready to explore the expansive world that superzoom photography opens up.

We hope this detailed comparison empowers you to make an informed decision. Your next camera should inspire confidence and creativity - happy shooting!