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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 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 referred to as WB600
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Successor is Sony A560
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony A500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ30W (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the HZ30W (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

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The HZ30W was unveiled 5 months after the A500 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the HZ30W grades versus the A500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony A500

 HZ30W A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Samsung HZ30W

 A500 HZ30W 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony A500

 HZ30W A500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010August 2009Same age
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung HZ30W has got outside measurements of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony A500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the HZ30W versus the A500.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the HZ30W and A500 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The pic below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ30W and A500.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide the same MP but different sensor sizes. The HZ30W has the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower DOF more difficult.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A500 as a Portrait photography camera
29
manual focus
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung HZ30W
Street photography with Sony A500
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ30W
Sports photography with Sony A500
42
excellent zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery power (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than average in class (245g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (360mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.2)
43
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (520 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography advice
Sony A500 Landscape photography advice
43
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (520 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Vlogging information
Sony A500 Vlogging information
30
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
9
lack of video recording
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony A500
 Samsung HZ30WSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ30W Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Also called as WB600 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-19 2009-08-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-360mm (15.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 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 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 245 gr (0.54 lbs) 630 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 520 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-11A NP-FM500H
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/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $280 $638