Samsung HZ30W vs. Sony A77 II: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Photography Paths

Choosing your next camera can feel overwhelming with the variety of models and specifications out there. Today, we’re comparing two vastly different cameras that serve very different photographers but often get mentioned in the same breath due to their enthusiasm-provoking features: the compact superzoom Samsung HZ30W and the advanced DSLR-style Sony A77 II. Each answers unique photographic demands and budgets, so let’s unpack their real-world performance, technical prowess, and how each fits into your creative journey.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Basic Overview

The Samsung HZ30W (also known as the WB600) is a compact, superzoom camera announced in 2010, featuring a fixed 24-360mm equivalent lens with a 15x zoom range. It targets casual shooters looking for lightweight travel versatility and substantial reach in one pocketable body.

The Sony A77 II, released in 2014, is an advanced DSLR-style camera with a rugged mid-size body, boasting a 24MP APS-C sensor and compatibility with Sony’s extensive Alpha lens ecosystem. It’s a serious tool designed for passionate amateurs and pros who want a robust hybrid capable of action, portraiture, and pro-level creative control.

Here’s a snapshot of their body styles and handling:

• Samsung HZ30W: Compact, light at 245g, with a simple fixed lens design.
• Sony A77 II: Larger DSLR form factor at 647g, weather-sealed, and built for more intense handling.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensor Superzoom vs. Large APS-C

Sensor size and quality critically influence image output - often the defining factor between compact shooters and enthusiast cameras.

From our extensive testing experience, APS-C sensors like in the A77 II deliver substantially better image quality. The bigger sensor size means larger pixels, better light gathering, reduced noise at higher ISO, and a more pleasing depth of field control for portraits and creative blur.

The HZ30W’s 1/2.3” sensor limits low light abilities and fine detail, especially at telephoto zoom lengths. This makes it more suitable for daylight scenery rather than professional work or challenging light.

In short: The A77 II’s sensor technology offers superior resolution, tonal range, and flexibility, crucial if you demand image quality above all. For casual travel snaps or stepping up from a smartphone, the HZ30W suffices.

Ergonomics and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

Handling and user interface are vital to your creative flow. Here’s how these cameras shape up:

• Samsung HZ30W

  • Simple compact design with minimal physical controls.
  • Fixed 3-inch LCD, 230K pixels - basic visibility in daylight.
  • No electronic viewfinder (EVF).
  • Lightweight and pocketable but limited manual control physicality.

• Sony A77 II

  • Substantial DSLR-style grip with robust build and weather sealing.
  • Fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen LCD, 1.2M+ pixels.
  • High-resolution EVF (2359K pixels), 100% coverage, 0.73x magnification.
  • Plenty of dedicated buttons and dials for adjusting settings quickly.

The A77 II clearly prioritizes photographers who need speed and tactile feedback. The articulated screen and EVF work well in varied shooting angles and bright conditions, essential for fieldwork. The HZ30W, while simple and compact, falls short on ergonomics for prolonged or serious use.

Autofocus: Tracking Fast Action vs. Simple Snapshots

The AF system’s sophistication impacts your success with fast-moving subjects: sports, wildlife, or children.

The Samsung HZ30W’s contrast-only autofocus is slow and prone to hunting, especially at long zoom or dim light. It suits static subjects but frustrates burst or action photography.

The Sony A77 II’s 79-point AF system with phase detection is a game changer: it locks onto subjects quickly, tracks movement accurately, and supports continuous AF during bursts. Face detection adds accuracy in portraiture, ensuring tack-sharp eyes.

If you plan to shoot wildlife, sports, or kids in motion, the A77 II excels. For casual snapshots or budget travel, the HZ30W’s autofocus system is workable.

Lens and Zoom: Fixed Superzoom Convenience vs. Interchangeable Flexibility

• Samsung HZ30W: Fixed 24-360mm equivalent (15x zoom), max aperture f/3.2-5.8.
• Sony A77 II: Uses Sony Alpha mount lenses (143+ options), crop factor 1.5x, supports pro-grade primes and zooms.

The HZ30W’s long reach is convenient for travel and outdoor use when changing lenses isn’t desirable. Its macro minimum focus is 3cm, which is decent for close-ups but limited by small sensor depth of field.

The A77 II offers interchangeable lenses, including some superb macro lenses, professional telephoto zooms for wildlife and sports, and fast wide-aperture primes for portraits and low-light. This flexibility allows tailored setups unmatched by any superzoom fixed lens.

The ability to select specialized glass profoundly affects image quality and creative potential - something the HZ30W’s lens cannot match.

Burst Shooting and Performance: Speed and Responsiveness

For fast action photography, you need a responsive camera. The Sony A77 II’s impressive 12 frames per second shooting with continuous AF is excellent for sports or wildlife.

The HZ30W cannot compare, with no continuous shooting modes specified and a modest shutter range that limits creative control over motion.

Video Capabilities: Basic HD vs. Professional-Level Full HD

If video is part of your creative workflow, the Sony A77 II is clearly the better tool: full HD at 60fps, advanced codecs, in-body stabilization, and microphone input offer higher video quality and flexibility.

The HZ30W can capture basic HD video, but at a lower resolution and frame rate, without professional audio or stabilization features.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

• Samsung HZ30W: Compact plastic body. No weather sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedness.
• Sony A77 II: Magnesium alloy chassis, professional-grade weather sealing protects against dust and moisture.

The Sony’s robust construction better suits demanding outdoor and professional use. If you shoot in challenging conditions, the A77 II’s durability is a major plus.

LCD Displays and Viewfinders: Framing Your Shot

• Samsung HZ30W: Fixed 3-inch LCD, low resolution (230,000 pixels), no EVF.
• Sony A77 II: Fully articulated 3-inch LCD, high resolution (1.2 million pixels), plus a high-res electronic viewfinder.

The articulated high-res screen on the A77 II enhances composition from creative angles and shooting modes like macro or low light. The EVF is bright and detailed, useful in sunlight where LCD visibility suffers.

The HZ30W lacks these advanced tools, which can frustrate experienced users in tricky lighting.

Connectivity and Storage

• HZ30W: Basic USB 2.0, SD card slot. No wireless or GPS features.
• A77 II: USB 2.0, HDMI output, built-in WiFi, NFC connectivity for quick sharing and remote control. Supports SD and Memory Stick cards.

Wireless features on the A77 II streamline workflows by allowing image transfer without cables - a bonus for busy photographers or vloggers.

Battery Life: Shooting Through the Day

The Sony’s larger battery suits longer shooting sessions and professional use. The Samsung’s battery life is unspecified but expected to be shorter due to smaller battery size.

How They Perform Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s break down suitability by genre:

Portrait Photography

• Samsung HZ30W: Limited by sensor size, no face or eye detection, modest aperture range. Decent bokeh at longer focal lengths but less creamy than larger sensors.
• Sony A77 II: Superior skin tone rendition, eye-detection AF, shallow depth of field with fast lenses, better color fidelity.

Winner: Sony A77 II for creative portrait work.

Landscape Photography

• Samsung HZ30W: Handy zoom but limited dynamic range and resolution.
• Sony A77 II: Excellent resolution and dynamic range for rich detail, weather sealing protects gear on the trail.

Winner: Sony A77 II for landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

• Samsung HZ30W: Long zoom but slow AF limits action shots.
• Sony A77 II: Fast tracking AF, high frame rates, and telephoto lens options make this a true wildlife camera.

Winner: Sony A77 II.

Sports Photography

• Samsung HZ30W: Poor continuous shooting and AF speed.
• Sony A77 II: 12fps, autofocus tracking ideal for sports.

Winner: Sony A77 II.

Street Photography

• Samsung HZ30W: Compact and discreet.
• Sony A77 II: Larger but better image quality and EVF.

Winner: Depends on preference; casual street shooters might prefer HZ30W portability, but the A77 II offers better image results.

Macro Photography

• Samsung HZ30W: Close focusing at 3cm, limited by sensor size.
• Sony A77 II: Excellent with dedicated macro lenses and precise AF.

Winner: Sony A77 II.

Night and Astro Photography

• Samsung HZ30W: Poor high ISO and long exposure options.
• Sony A77 II: High ISO capabilities and longer shutter speeds make this the clear choice.

Winner: Sony A77 II.

Video Recording

• Samsung HZ30W: Basic 720p HD, limited frame rates.
• Sony A77 II: 1080p full HD at 60fps, professional codecs, mic input.

Winner: Sony A77 II.

Travel Photography

• Samsung HZ30W: Lightweight, superzoom, one-lens convenience.
• Sony A77 II: More versatile but heavier.

Winner: Samsung HZ30W for carry-on ease, Sony A77 II for versatility and image quality.

Professional Work

• Samsung HZ30W: Limited in features, no raw, no durability.
• Sony A77 II: Raw support, weather sealing, wide lens support.

Winner: Sony A77 II.

Real-World Gallery: Sample Images Comparison

Samsung HZ30W front Samsung HZ30W screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

Here, you can see side by side how much sensor size and lens quality affect the final image. The Sony A77 II delivers richer colors, sharper details, and better dynamic range. The Samsung’s images are softer with muted shadows.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Final Ratings at a Glance

Who Should Pick Which Camera?

If you are:

• A casual photographer or traveler looking for a simple, affordable camera with a big zoom range to capture everything from landscapes to distant wildlife casually - Samsung HZ30W makes a good pocket-sized travel companion.

• An enthusiast or professional seeking top-notch image quality, professional controls, fast autofocus for action shooting, and video capabilities - the Sony A77 II will better serve your creative ambitions and demanding projects.

Final Thoughts: Which One Fits Your Creative Journey?

Both cameras come from different design philosophies. The Samsung HZ30W is built for convenience and decent zoom reach in a compact package. It’s an accessible entry point for casual users or those upgrading from smartphones.

The Sony A77 II, however, is a no-compromise machine blending DSLR form, advanced technology, and versatility across genres. It rewards those who want to invest time and money into developing their photographic skills and expanding creative possibilities.

We encourage you to handle both cameras if possible. Feel the ergonomics, test the autofocus speed, and review sample images. Your choice ultimately depends on what photography means to you.

Explore your options, find your style, and most importantly, get out there and create stunning images with whichever camera you choose.

Ready to dive deeper? Check out lenses and accessories for the Sony A77 II to tailor your kit. Or if portability is key, explore Samsung’s recent superzoom models for upgrades.

Happy shooting!