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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 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
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Alternative Name is WB600
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Introduced December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • Updated by Sony A99 II
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Samsung HZ30W and Sony A99, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the HZ30W (12MP) and A99 (24MP) and the HZ30W (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The HZ30W was introduced 3 years prior to the A99 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the HZ30W scores versus the A99 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony A99

 HZ30W A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Samsung HZ30W

 A99 HZ30W 
IntroducedDecember 2012January 2010More recent by 35 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k230kSharper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony A99

 HZ30W A99 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ30W enjoys physical measurements of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony A99 has sizing of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung HZ30W and Sony A99 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the HZ30W compared to the A99.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the HZ30W and A99 is 91 and 57 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the HZ30W and A99.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The HZ30W using its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony A99 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older HZ30W will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography details
Sony A99 Portrait photography details
29
focusing manually
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
81
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Street photography details
Sony A99 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
75
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Sports photography details
Sony A99 Sports photography details
42
incredible zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Travel photography factors
Sony A99 Travel photography factors
63
lighter than average (245 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (360mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
60
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery life (500 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 as a Landscape photography camera
43
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
74
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
low battery life (500 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung HZ30W
Vlogging with Sony A99
30
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
76
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone support
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony A99
 Samsung HZ30WSony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ30W Sony SLT-A99
Otherwise known as WB600 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-19 2012-12-12
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-360mm (15.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 245 gr (0.54 lb) 812 gr (1.79 lb)
Dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-11A NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots Single Dual
Cost at release $280 $1,998