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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Samsung HZ30W
(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
  • Released January 2010
  • Additionally Known as WB600
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Previous Model is Sony a5000
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Samsung HZ30W and Sony a5100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the HZ30W (12MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the HZ30W (1/2.3") and a5100 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The HZ30W was manufactured 5 years before the a5100 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the HZ30W matches up against the a5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony a5100

 HZ30W a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Samsung HZ30W

 a5100 HZ30W 
ReleasedAugust 2014January 2010Newer by 55 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony a5100

 HZ30W a5100 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ30W offers outer dimensions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung HZ30W and Sony a5100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the HZ30W and the a5100.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the HZ30W and a5100 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The image underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ30W and a5100.

To sum up, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The HZ30W featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Sony a5100 will show more detail due to its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged HZ30W will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Portrait photography camera
29
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
72
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Street photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
82
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Sports photography factors
Sony a5100 Sports photography factors
42
great zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
68
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
good battery power (400 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Travel photography advice
Sony a5100 Travel photography advice
63
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (360mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
80
good battery power (400 CIPA)
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography details
Sony a5100 Landscape photography details
43
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
79
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Vlogging features
Sony a5100 Vlogging features
30
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (245g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
34
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone socket
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony a5100
 Samsung HZ30WSony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ30W Sony Alpha a5100
Also Known as WB600 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-01-19 2014-08-17
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 179
Lens
Lens mount type 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
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 245g (0.54 pounds) 283g (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life - 400 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-11A NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $280 $448