Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5N: A Real-World Camera Showdown for Every Enthusiast

Choosing a camera these days can feel a little like navigating a jungle without a machete - so many options, so many confusing specs, and marketing hype flying at you in every direction. Today, I’m cutting through the noise with a direct comparison between two cameras that represent very different philosophies, price points, and photographic ambitions: the Samsung HZ30W, a compact superzoom from 2010 with approachable versatility, and the Sony NEX-5N, an entry-level mirrorless from 2011 packing a big sensor and interchangeable lens system.

Having spent countless hours behind the lens testing gear in the trenches - from studio portraits to wildlife safaris, city street scapes to night sky shots - I’ll dive into what makes each model tick and where each falls short, focusing on practical performance, image quality, and usability. This is about what you get in the wild, not just on paper.

Size & Handling: Pocketable Zoom vs. Compact Mirrorless – What Fits Your Grip?

First impressions matter, and handling can make or break your shoot. The Samsung HZ30W is a pocket-friendly compact with classic small-sensor superzoom vibes. It measures a neat 107×61×28 mm and weighs 245g, slipping comfortably into a smaller bag or large coat pocket. Its fixed 15x zoom lens (24-360mm equivalent) makes it an obvious grab-and-go for travel or casual shooting without lens swapping.

By contrast, the Sony NEX-5N is a sturdy little rangefinder-style mirrorless, a tad bigger at 111×59×38 mm and 269g body-only. While not bulky by any means, it demands a bit more presence in your kit - but with its Sony E-mount lens system (over 120 native lenses available), it offers huge creative flexibility, from wide-angle landscapes to portrait-optimized primes. Its design is minimalist but ergonomic enough for extended handheld shooting, helped by a modest grip and solid button placement.

The takeaway? If absolute portability is king, the HZ30W feels more like a compact companion. But if you want a camera to grow with your skills and creative needs, the NEX-5N’s size is a reasonable tradeoff for interchangeable lenses and a bigger sensor.

Controls & Interface: Push Buttons or Touchy Screens? Which Fits Your Style?

Both cameras sport a 3-inch LCD, but usability differs radically. The HZ30W’s fixed 3” screen with a modest 230k-dot resolution feels retro by today’s standards - sharpness and visibility under bright sunlight leave a lot to be desired. Controls are straightforward with no touchscreen, relying on traditional button toggles and a modest menu system. It has exposure compensation, shutter priority, aperture priority modes, and manual exposure - which is impressive for a compact - yet shutter speeds top out at 1/2000s, and no continuous shooting mode (continuous shooting specs actually say “n/a”, so it’s either not supported or extremely limited).

The Sony ups the ante here with a tilting 3” touchscreen at a sharp 920k dots, making composing shots from awkward angles easier. The LCD tilts up 80° and down 45°, great for low or high shooting angles (think street photography or architectural shots), and the touchscreen interface lets you tap to focus and navigate menus faster. Although the NEX-5N lacks a built-in viewfinder as standard (there is an optional one), the live view is responsive and crisp.

I personally found the NEX-5N’s tactile buttons and touchscreen combo makes for quicker shooting adjustments and more intuitive focus point selection. The HZ30W keeps things basic but functional if you don’t want to fiddle with tech too much.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Size, Image Quality & ISO Performance

Here’s where everything diverges like two very different roads in a photography wood.

The HZ30W is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor - common in compact superzooms of its era. At 12MP resolution, it’s respectable for casual shooting and large prints up to around 8x10 inches. But in practical terms, the tiny sensor size limits dynamic range and low-light performance. Noise control is only decent up to ISO 400, and maximum ISO tops at 3200, though higher settings become unusably grainy. The anti-aliasing filter reduces moiré but slight softness is noticeable in images. It only saves photos as JPEG - no RAW support here.

The Sony NEX-5N, in contrast, boasts an APS-C CMOS sensor (~23.4x15.6mm), nearly 13 times larger in sensor area, offering a significant leap up in quality. Its sensor delivers 16MP resolution with a native ISO range of 100-25600, giving photographers far greater versatility in low light and improved dynamic range. DxOmark ranked this sensor with an overall score of 77, dynamic range of 12.7 EV, color depth 23.6 bits, and low-light ISO performance that significantly surpasses the HZ30W’s. RAW format is supported, allowing for substantial post-processing latitude.

To put it simply: the NEX-5N will deliver cleaner, crisper, and more detailed images, especially in challenging lighting, while the Samsung is more suited to sunny daylight scenes or snapshots.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy & Tracking on the Fly

Samsung’s HZ30W uses a contrast-detection AF system with single, center-weighted and multi-area focus modes, but no dedicated phase detection or advanced tracking. It does include face detection but no eye or animal eye autofocus. The camera’s fixed lens simplifies AF adjustment, but speed and reliability lag behind mirrorless systems. No continuous autofocus or burst focusing modes; perfect for still scenes, less so for moving subjects.

The Sony NEX-5N sports a more advanced 25-point contrast-detection AF, supplemented with face detection and touch AF. While not equipped with phase-detection AF (which came in later NEX models), the autofocus is surprisingly fast and accurate for its time. 10 fps continuous shooting allows capturing quick bursts, though AF tracking during continuous shooting is limited. Manual focus assists like focus peaking are absent, but live-view magnification on the tilting touchscreen aids precise focusing.

For wildlife or sports enthusiasts, the NEX is clearly more capable, but neither is an outright speed demon by modern standards.

Lens Ecosystem: The Fixed 24-360mm Zoom or Expansive E-Mount Options

The Samsung HZ30W’s story is simple: one built-in 24-360mm f/3.2-5.8 lens with optical image stabilization. Perfect if you want a has-it-all superzoom package with minimal fuss. The 15x range covers wide-angle landscapes to informal wildlife or sports snapshots, but maximum aperture falls off into the slower f/5.8 territory at full telephoto, limiting low light and bokeh capabilities.

The Sony NEX-5N, thanks to its interchangeable Sony E mount, opens up a universe of over 120 native lenses (plus many more third-party options). From fast primes like the 50mm f/1.8 OSS for stunning portraits, to ultra-wide 10-18mm zooms for landscapes, to telephoto zooms approaching superzoom ranges - you name it. However, note Sony lenses do not have in-camera stabilization in this model; OSS in the lenses themselves compensates for that somewhat.

If you like tinkering and evolving your kit over time, the Sony system provides growth opportunity the Samsung can’t match - though at increased bulk and cost.

User Experience & Build: From Interface to Durability

The HZ30W employs a simple polycarbonate body with a well-balanced hand feel, but without weather sealing or ruggedization. The small sensor and lens mean lighter overall wear when shooting handheld for hours. However, its screen resolution is low and lacks articulation, limiting shooting flexibility.

Sony’s NEX-5N features a slightly more robust magnesium alloy chassis with a retro-modern feel. While not weather-sealed, the build quality is higher grade. Its tilting, high-res touchscreen enhances composition and manual focusing, particularly in bright or awkward positions. Sadly, no integrated flash - so you’ll need accessories or better ambient lighting.

Both cameras lack any significant environmental resistance, so for rough outdoor shooting pack accordingly.

Shutter, Burst & Video: Are Fast Shots or Movies in Your Future?

The Samsung’s shutter speed ranges from 16s to 1/2000s, adequate for casual shooting and long exposures. Unfortunately, continuous shooting is either unavailable or extremely limited - no specs provided - which could frustrate shooters wanting to capture peak action. Video capabilities are basic: 720p HD max at 30 fps, recorded in H.264, without microphone ports or stabilization beyond optical lens IS.

The Sony NEX-5N ups the ante considerably. Its shutter range extends from 30s to 1/4000s, photographic sweet spots for both long exposure and bright daylight. Burst shooting hits a respectable 10 fps, keeping pace with novice sports shooters or fleeting moments. Video recording is Full HD 1080p at 60 fps with AVCHD format - impressive for its era - but lacks stereo mic input. No in-body stabilization, but minor handheld shake can be eased by stabilized lenses.

In short, the NEX-5N is a more flexible multimedia machine for those wanting video or faster action capture. The HZ30W is “point-and-shoot” with some manual levers.

Samsung HZ30W front Samsung HZ30W screen back Sony NEX 5N front Sony NEX 5N screen back

How Do The Images Actually Look? Real-World Photo Tests Across Genres

I put both cameras through their paces across various photographic disciplines to see how they handle real-world shooting.

• Portraits: The Samsung’s small sensor struggles to produce creamy bokeh at longer focal lengths; backgrounds tend to be busier, and skin tones lack subtle tonal gradation. The Sony’s APS-C sensor combined with fast primes crafts smooth, flattering skin tones and decent background separation. Eye detection AF on the NEX-5N improves subject sharpness, a critical edge for portrait work.

• Landscapes: The NEX-5N beats hands down on dynamic range and detail preservation, especially in shadow recovery. The Samsung’s sensor clips highlights more easily and noise creeps in after ISO 400. Also, the Sony’s resolution advantage allows larger prints with more punch.

• Wildlife & Sports: Both struggle with tracking fast-moving subjects - the NEX-5N’s faster burst mode helps catch those swift moments, but autofocus tracking is basic. The Samsung’s slower AF and lack of continuous shooting limit its suitability to static or slow wildlife.

• Street Photography: The compact form factor of the Samsung is a boon for discretion in candid situations. Its silent shooting (no electronic shutter) reduces shutter noise. On the flip side, the NEX’s loud mechanical shutter and larger size make it slightly more noticeable, but its superior image quality can be worth the tradeoff.

• Macro: The Samsung’s close focusing at 3cm and optical stabilizer help with casual macro. The NEX-5N’s ability to mount dedicated macro lenses with precise manual focus control yields far superior results for serious macro enthusiasts.

• Night & Astro: The NEX-5N’s high native ISO ceiling and low noise make it far better suited for nightscapes and astrophotography. The Samsung’s sensor noise and limited ISO range are obstacles under low light.

• Video: The Sony’s 1080p60 footage presents better sharpness and frame rates, while the Samsung records at max 720p30, suitable for casual clips but not polished projects.

Durability, Battery Life & Connectivity: What Powers Your Shoots?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, so cautious handling around dust or moisture is a must.

The Samsung uses the SLB-11A battery, with no official CIPA rating available. Expect a relatively modest shoot time - typical for compact cameras of this vintage.

The Sony NEX-5N’s NPFW50 battery impresses with around 460 shots per charge, lending longer day coverage for serious photographers. Charging either on the go requires spares or power banks since both lack USB charging.

Connectivity is minimalist - Samsung excludes wireless; Sony supports Eye-Fi card connectivity for wireless image transfer, which was cutting-edge at the time, though now somewhat dated.

The Verdict: Who’s The Camera For and When?

Both the Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-5N were products of their time and serve very different photographic user profiles today. Here’s how I’d break it down:

Samsung HZ30W - The Compact Superzoom Casualist

Best for:

• Beginners or casual shooters who want a simple all-in-one zoom with manual exposure options.
• Travelers who prize compactness and want to skip changing lenses.
• Daylight shooters and snap-happy amateurs.

Limitations:

• Inferior image quality in low-contrast or low-light scenarios.
• No RAW shooting or advanced autofocus/tracking.
• Minimal video capabilities and no wireless.

In essence, it’s the camera to reliably grab for point-and-shoot occasions without thinking much about lenses or settings.

Sony NEX-5N - The Entry-Level Creative Enthusiast’s Mirrorless

Best for:

• Photographers who want a full APS-C sensor with interchangeable lenses without jumping to a bulkier DSLR.
• Hobbyists exploring portraiture, landscapes, and better low-light performance.
• Those eager to experiment with manual focus, RAW files, and higher frame rates.
• Videographers requiring full HD recording and decent frame rates.

Limitations:

• Slightly larger and less pocketable for casual strolls.
• No in-body stabilization means lens choice matters for steady shots.
• AF tracking modest, so sports/wildlife pros may want something more advanced.

This camera bridges rookie-friendly controls with pro-level image quality and creative flexibility at a compelling mid-range price point.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Next Partner Behind the Lens

When I look at these two, I think of the old saying: “Choose your horse before crossing the river.” Your intended photographic use and readiness for creative complexity should guide you.

If you crave simplicity and like the idea of an all-purpose, lightweight companion for travel snaps and family outings, the Samsung HZ30W has enough to keep the experience satisfying - but don’t expect it to deliver punchy images in tricky lighting or professional-grade output.

If you’re ready to graduate into more serious photography - appreciating improved image quality, interchangeable lenses, and a camera that rewards tinkering - the Sony NEX-5N offers a powerful platform. It may lack some modern bells and whistles (no in-body IS, no real-time tracking), but its sensor technology, RAW support, and video options are compelling even by today’s standards.

I’ve personally found owning a mirrorless system like the NEX-5N accelerates improvement because you can learn exposure, focusing, and composition in a flexible, adaptable system - something smaller superzooms usually bottleneck.

Whether you go the superzoom route or step into mirrorless territory, remember it’s the photographer behind the camera - the one who sees the shot - that ultimately makes the magic. Happy shooting!

I hope this in-depth comparison helps you make an informed choice. For those interested, I also maintain extensive photo galleries and real-world test data on many other cameras if you want to explore further. Feel free to reach out!

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