Samsung HZ30W vs Sony NEX-7

Let's look a bit more closely at the Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-7, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the HZ30W (12MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the HZ30W (1/2.3") and NEX-7 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The HZ30W was launched 23 months before the NEX-7 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras come with different body type with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the HZ30W grades vs the NEX-7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung HZ30W & Sony Alpha NEX-7. The complete galleries are provided at Samsung HZ30W Gallery & Sony NEX-7 Gallery.

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung HZ30W has physical measurements of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-7 has dimensions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Check out the Samsung HZ30W and Sony NEX-7 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the HZ30W against the NEX-7.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ30W and NEX-7 is 91 and 84 respectively.

Normally, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ30W and NEX-7.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The HZ30W due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-7 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The older HZ30W is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.