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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Additionally Known as WB600
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A200
  • Updated by Sony A290
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony A230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the HZ30W (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is relatively close but the HZ30W (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The HZ30W was introduced 9 months after the A230 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the HZ30W matches up vs the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony A230

 HZ30W A230 
RevealedJanuary 2010May 2009More modern by 9 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Samsung HZ30W

 A230 HZ30W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony A230

 HZ30W A230 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ30W has outside dimensions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony A230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the HZ30W and the A230.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HZ30W and A230 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The pic here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ30W and A230.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The HZ30W using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Samsung HZ30W will provide you with greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent HZ30W will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography features
Sony A230 Portrait photography features
29
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Street photography information
Sony A230 Street photography information
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
42
incredible zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
low battery life (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung HZ30W
Travel photography with Sony A230
63
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (360mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
45
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low battery life (230 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung HZ30W
Landscape photography with Sony A230
43
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
low battery life (230 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony A230
 Samsung HZ30WSony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ30W Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Also Known as WB600 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-19 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-360mm (15.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.8 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format H.264 -
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 245 gr (0.54 lb) 490 gr (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 63
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-11A NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $280 $569