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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternate Name is WB600
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5T
Photography Glossary

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-5R, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the HZ30W (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the HZ30W (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The HZ30W was launched 3 years before the NEX-5R which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the HZ30W matches up versus the NEX-5R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony NEX-5R

 HZ30W NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Samsung HZ30W

 NEX-5R HZ30W 
RevealedAugust 2012January 2010More modern by 31 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-5R

 HZ30W NEX-5R 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Samsung HZ30W features outer dimensions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the HZ30W vs the NEX-5R.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the HZ30W and NEX-5R is 91 and 89 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at technical specs. The picture here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ30W and NEX-5R.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The HZ30W featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-5R will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged HZ30W is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography details
29
you can focus manually
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
includes focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography advice
42
incredible zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
68
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung HZ30W
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
63
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (360mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
73
includes focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography information
43
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung HZ30W
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
30
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
31
built-in touchscreen
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone port
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-5R
 Samsung HZ30WSony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ30W Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Also referred to as WB600 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-01-19 2012-08-29
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-360mm (15.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m no built-in flash
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
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 format H.264 AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 245g (0.54 lb) 276g (0.61 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life - 330 images
Battery form - 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 shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $280 $750