Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5
91 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
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89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2010
- Other Name is WB600
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Launched June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-5N

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Lets examine more closely at the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony NEX-5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ30W (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is relatively similar but the HZ30W (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

The HZ30W was brought out 4 months earlier than the NEX-5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the HZ30W scores against the NEX-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung HZ30W and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The entire galleries are available at Samsung HZ30W Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony NEX-5
HZ30W | NEX-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Samsung HZ30W
NEX-5 | HZ30W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-5
HZ30W | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2010 | ![]() | June 2010 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Samsung HZ30W has got outer dimensions 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 NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Compare the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the HZ30W and the NEX-5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HZ30W and NEX-5 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading specs. The graphic here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ30W and NEX-5.
All in all, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The HZ30W featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony NEX-5 will offer you more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Samsung HZ30W | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Sony |
Model type | Samsung HZ30W | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Alternate name | WB600 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 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 dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias 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 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 24-360mm (15.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.2-5.8 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 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 operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 16 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | AVCHD |
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 245 gr (0.54 lb) | 287 gr (0.63 lb) |
Dimensions | 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 69 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 photos |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | SLB-11A | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $280 | $599 |