Samsung HZ30W vs Sony RX100 III

Let's look more closely at the Samsung HZ30W and Sony RX100 III, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the HZ30W (12MP) and RX100 III (20MP) and the HZ30W (1/2.3") and RX100 III (1") posses totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The HZ30W was brought out 5 years earlier than the RX100 III and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 III being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the HZ30W scores against the RX100 III with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung HZ30W and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III. The entire galleries are provided at Samsung HZ30W Gallery and Sony RX100 III Gallery.

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ30W has external 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 RX100 III has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") along with a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).

See the Samsung HZ30W and Sony RX100 III in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the HZ30W versus the RX100 III.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HZ30W and RX100 III is 91 and 89 respectively.

Quite often, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over technical specs. The graphic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ30W and RX100 III.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The HZ30W because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony RX100 III will deliver extra detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older HZ30W is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.