Face-Off: Samsung HZ30W vs Sony Cyber-shot HX1 – Which Superzoom Compact Suits You?

Superzoom compact cameras have long appealed to photographers craving versatility - bridging the gap between pocketable ease and telephoto reach. Today, we’re diving deep into two classic contenders from the late 2000s/early 2010s era: the Samsung HZ30W (a.k.a WB600) and the Sony Cyber-shot HX1. Having spent countless hours testing both, I’ll walk you through their strengths, quirks, and real-world handling so you can make an informed choice - whether you’re grabbing your first superzoom or adding a trusty travel companion to your kit.

Let’s start by putting these cameras side-by-side, so you get a real feel for their physicality and core specs.

Body Design & Ergonomics: Compact vs Bridge Style

At first glance, the Samsung HZ30W is a sleek, no-nonsense compact. It weighs just 245g and measures a trim 107 x 61 x 28 mm. The clean lines and light footprint make it ideal for casual carry and discreet street shooting. Its fixed 3” LCD is a modest 230k dots, with no tilting or touch capabilities - a bit dated by today’s standards but serviceable in daylight. The lack of an electronic viewfinder was a noticeable omission when I was testing outdoors on bright days, where LCD glare became an issue.

In contrast, the Sony HX1 comes across as a proper bridge camera. It’s chunkier (544g) and more substantial at 115 x 83 x 92 mm, lending a more serious, DSLR-ish presence. The grip is firm and comfortable, excellent for long shoots and telephoto use. Its tilting 3” LCD shares the same 230k-dot resolution but the flexibility to tilt it was a big plus during low-angle macro shots and awkward compositions. Best of all for bright-light work, the HX1 features a built-in electronic viewfinder - welcome relief for precisely framing and stabilizing shots in intense sun.

Here’s a top-down look highlighting the differences in control layouts and overall design language:

The HX1’s SLR-style body offers more physical buttons and dials, contributing to quicker manual adjustments on the fly. The Samsung, while user-friendly, relies more on menu diving and fewer dedicated controls, which may frustrate enthusiasts craving fast access to key parameters.

Sensor and Image Quality – Chip Size, Resolution & Color Rendition

Both cameras employ small sensors common at their time - 1/2.3" CCD in the Samsung and 1/2.4" CMOS for Sony - but subtle differences here make a palpable impact on image quality.

The Samsung’s sensor measures 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a total area of 28.07 mm². Its 12MP resolution heftily translates to 4000 x 3000 pixels. Sony’s slightly smaller sensor is 6.10 x 4.58 mm and 27.94 mm² but carries only 9MP (3456 x 2592 pixels).

From my lab and field testing, the Samsung provides finer detail thanks to higher resolution, while Sony’s larger pixels (due to fewer total pixels on similar sensor size) yield better high-ISO noise control and dynamic range. Both cameras use an anti-aliasing filter, which slightly softens the very fine details but helps prevent moiré in complex textures.

Color depth is decent on both, with the Sony’s Bionz processor delivering truer skin tones and more saturated hues. Samsung’s CCD sensor has a slightly cooler cast and tends to produce flatter images, although custom white balance and exposure compensation can help tune output.

Together, these attributes mean you’ll get sharper daylight images with the Samsung, but Sony edges ahead when shooting in shadows or low light - critical for wildlife or evening street photography.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience

The 3-inch fixed LCD of the Samsung is bright enough in shade but struggles under direct sunlight. Without a viewfinder, relying on this screen for precision focusing or composition can be challenging, especially for moving subjects or longer exposures at night.

The HX1, with its tilting LCD and electronic viewfinder (EVF), gives much more forgiveness in varied light conditions. The EVF helps steady shots and improve framing accuracy, a feature I grew to appreciate during fast-paced sports and wildlife shoots. Both screens offer live view for manual focus confirmation, but the Sony’s tilt functionality is vastly more practical for creative angles or macro work.

Zoom Range & Lens Quality: Reach and Aperture in Action

Superzooms revolve around versatility, right? The Samsung HZ30W sports an impressive 15x zoom range, offering a 24-360mm equivalent focal length (35mm terms), while the Sony HX1 leaps ahead on reach with its 20x zoom stretching from 28-560mm.

The Samsung’s brighter starting aperture at f/3.2-5.8 captures scenes well in daylight, though it dims notably towards telephoto lengths. Sony counters with a slightly faster lens starting at f/2.8 and tapering to f/5.2 - better for handheld or lower-light telephoto shots.

Macro capabilities are more generous on the Sony, allowing 1cm minimum focusing distance versus Samsung’s 3cm. This, combined with the HX1’s tilting LCD, means you can get creative close-ups with much less hassle.

Build-wise, neither camera offers weather sealing, an unfortunate but typical limitation for superzooms in this price and era. Optical image stabilization comes standard, critical for those long telephoto shots and handheld macro snaps, and both do a very credible job here.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy & Burst

The Sony HX1 holds clear advantages in autofocus sophistication. With 9 AF points (Samsung doesn’t specify but uses contrast-detection with center-weighted priority), the Sony’s system proved faster and more consistent locking focus, particularly on single-shot mode.

Continuous autofocus and tracking modes are missing on both… a product of their time and sensor types. However, in real shooting, I noticed Sony could achieve more reliable autofocus for moving subjects like pets or children.

Burst shooting is another area where the HX1 shines, boasting 10 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting, offering ample opportunity for action or sports sequences. Samsung’s spec sheet offers no burst speed, indicative of more leisurely capture aimed at snapshots rather than action.

Shutter speed ranges further reflect different ambitions: Sony goes from 30 seconds to 1/4000s allowing greater creative range, while Samsung spans 16 seconds to 1/2000s.

Photo and Video Features: Creative Control & Multimedia

Both cameras provide manual and priority exposure options, allowing enthusiasts some control beyond the usual auto modes. Exposure compensation is supported, as is custom white balance.

Neither supports RAW capture, an understandable constrain for compact cams, but a dealbreaker for pros requiring maximum editing latitude.

Video-wise, the Samsung records 720p HD at 30fps with H.264 compression - a standard but not outstanding spec. The HX1 slightly edges ahead with 1440 x 1080p video at 30fps - a bit unusual resolution but superior quality for the era’s bridge cameras.

Neither camera includes microphone input or advanced audio controls, so videographers will find limitations here.

Battery, Storage & Connectivity

Both cameras use proprietary batteries (Samsung’s SLB-11A vs Sony’s NP-FH50) and offer modest battery estimations but no official CIPA ratings are provided. In practice, the HX1’s larger body allows a bigger battery improving longevity - an important factor during day-long excursions or travel.

Samsung favors SD cards (including SDXC) for storage, a universal and widely supported standard. Sony, sticking to Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, limits compatibility somewhat, which may become a hassle today when SD cards dominate markets.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, an expected omission for the period but signals these cameras aren’t designed for instantaneous sharing or remote control.

How They Handle Different Photography Genres

Having tested dozens of cameras, I find genre-specific needs really expose where these two diverge.

Portrait Photography

Samsung’s higher resolution and natural color tones give better detail in skin textures, and the 24mm wide-focus helps environmental portraits. But without face or eye detection autofocus, you’ll have to nail focus precisely yourself.

Sony’s wider aperture lens (f/2.8 at wide) produces more natural bokeh and better subject separation in tight spaces. Its autofocus points aid quick focusing, although limited face detection can frustrate portrait novices.

Landscape and Travel

Landscape shooters prize dynamic range, resolution, and stability. Samsung’s modest sensor and CCD technology deliver decent resolution but with limited shadow detail. Sony’s CMOS performs better in dynamic range and high ISO - useful in dusk landscapes.

Samsung’s compact size helps pocketability, great for minimalist travel. Sony’s heftier body may slow you down but offers more robust handling and zoom reach.

Wildlife and Sports

The Sony HX1 wins hands down, thanks to its longer zoom, more responsive autofocus, and 10fps burst for action. Samsung’s limits in focusing speed and frame rate curtail sports shooting possibilities.

Street and Macro Photography

Samsung scores with discreteness and portability. Its fixed LCD and silent shutter modes suit candid street work.

Sony’s 1-cm macro focusing and tilting LCD deliver more creativity for close-ups, but its size compromises stealth.

Night and Astro

Sony again leads here, with wider max aperture, longer shutter speed range, and better low-light ISO performance. Samsung’s CCD sensor and slower lens make night shooting challenging.

Video

Sony’s 1440x1080 resolution and smoother frame rates allow higher quality video for casual filmmakers. Samsung’s 720p lags behind slightly but meets everyday needs.

Build Quality & Reliability

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, so both require care in tricky conditions.

Sony’s bridge design provides sturdier body construction, making it more reliable for professional use in varied scenarios. Samsung trades durability for portability - fair enough given its target user.

Price, Value & Recommendations

At launch, Samsung’s HZ30W was priced around $280, a very accessible superzoom for travelers or casual shooters wanting easy flexibility.

Sony HX1, at about $480, demanded a premium for superior optics, build, and features.

Today, both are discontinued, but used market prices typically reflect these relative values.

Summary of Strengths & Weaknesses

Samsung HZ30W front Samsung HZ30W screen back Sony HX1 front Sony HX1 screen back

My Take: Who Should Pick Which?

If you value portability, quick snaps, and crisp daytime images in a light package - Samsung’s HZ30W is a nifty compact with a sharp 15x zoom. It shines in travel and street photography due to its discreetness and ease of use. However, you sacrifice advanced focusing, slower speeds, and limited video features.

Looking for more creative control, better autofocus, a longer zoom, and an EVF? The Sony HX1 is a fantastic bridge camera choice for wildlife, sports, and macro enthusiasts. Its superior burst rate and video options make it more versatile but at a higher price and with a bulkier form factor.

Neither camera perfectly suits professional portrait or low-light night photography in today’s terms, but each brings distinct value for hobbyists and enthusiasts leaning toward their strengths.

In conclusion, your choice hinges on how you prioritize size, speed, reach, and image quality. The Samsung HZ30W remains a nimble, capable superzoom for casual use, while the Sony HX1 caters to enthusiasts craving more zoom, better AF, and versatility in a classic bridge form.

Hope this detailed comparison helps you weigh your options clearly. If you’d like to explore newer alternatives or specific photography scenarios, I’m happy to dive deeper in future reviews. Until then, happy shooting!

Additional Resources

• In-depth review and sample images on my YouTube channel: [Video Review Link]
• Step-by-step autofocus testing methodology explanation: [Blog Post Link]
• Lens compatibility guide for bridge cameras: [Resource Link]

Thanks for reading! Feel free to ask questions or share your experience with either camera - I’m always eager to discuss photography gear and help fellow enthusiasts find their perfect fit.