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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 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
  • Alternative Name is WB600
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony W550, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the HZ30W (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The HZ30W was revealed 18 months prior to the W550 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the HZ30W grades vs the W550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony W550

 HZ30W W550 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Samsung HZ30W

 W550 HZ30W 
AnnouncedJuly 2011January 2010Newer by 18 months

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony W550

 HZ30W W550 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ30W comes with outer 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 W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony W550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the HZ30W compared to the W550.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ30W and W550 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ30W and W550.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony W550 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged HZ30W is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung HZ30W
Portrait photography with Sony W550
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung HZ30W
Street photography with Sony W550
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Sports photography advice
Sony W550 Sports photography advice
42
amazing zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Travel photography camera
Sony W550 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (360mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
65
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography highlights
Sony W550 Landscape photography highlights
43
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
42
pretty wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Vlogging features
Sony W550 Vlogging features
30
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
29
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony W550
 Samsung HZ30WSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ30W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Also referred to as WB600 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2010-01-19 2011-07-24
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-360mm (15.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 245 gr (0.54 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID SLB-11A NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One -
Cost at release $280 $119