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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 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 S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ30W (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The HZ30W was released 12 months later than the S950 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the HZ30W matches up against the S950 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony S950

 HZ30W S950 
IntroducedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 12 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Samsung HZ30W

 S950 HZ30W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony S950

 HZ30W S950 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Samsung HZ30W comes with physical dimensions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the HZ30W versus the S950.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ30W and S950 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ30W and S950.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Samsung HZ30W to give greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher HZ30W should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography details
Sony S950 Portrait photography details
29
focusing manually
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
26
you can focus manually
no manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung HZ30W
Street photography with Sony S950
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Sports photography information
Sony S950 Sports photography information
42
amazing zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Travel photography information
Sony S950 Travel photography information
63
lighter than competition (245g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (360mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.2)
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography information
Sony S950 Landscape photography information
43
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
31
you can focus manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Vlogging advice
Sony S950 Vlogging advice
30
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
9
lack of video recording
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony S950
 Samsung HZ30WSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ30W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Also called as WB600 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-360mm (15.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 245 gr (0.54 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model SLB-11A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $280 $130