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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 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
  • Released January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB600
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Updated by Sony NEX-C3
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony NEX-3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ30W (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very similar but the HZ30W (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The HZ30W was released 4 months prior to the NEX-3 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a simple summary of how the HZ30W scores versus the NEX-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony NEX-3

 HZ30W NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Samsung HZ30W

 NEX-3 HZ30W 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-3

 HZ30W NEX-3 
LaunchedJanuary 2010June 2010Similar age
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung HZ30W comes with external 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) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

See the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the HZ30W compared to the NEX-3.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ30W and NEX-3 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specs. The visual here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the HZ30W and NEX-3.

All in all, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The HZ30W due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony NEX-3 will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography info
29
has manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
72
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ30W
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
42
amazing zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
52
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung HZ30W
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
63
lighter than average (245 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (360mm)
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
59
megapixel count decent (14MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography factors
43
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
68
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Vlogging information
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging information
30
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
27
comes with face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-3
 Samsung HZ30WSony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ30W Sony Alpha NEX-3
Alternate name WB600 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-01-19 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-360mm (15.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.2-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 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 format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 245 gr (0.54 lbs) 297 gr (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-11A NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $280 $0