Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5N

Following is a extensive assessment of the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony NEX-5N, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the HZ30W (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the HZ30W (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The HZ30W was released 20 months before the NEX-5N which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the HZ30W grades against the NEX-5N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung HZ30W and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The complete galleries are provided at Samsung HZ30W Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ30W has 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) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the HZ30W against the NEX-5N.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ30W and NEX-5N is 91 and 89 respectively.

Quite often, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The pic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ30W and NEX-5N.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The HZ30W due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony NEX-5N will produce more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged HZ30W will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.