Samsung HZ35W vs Sony A7R IV: An Expert’s Take on Two Cameras at Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

Choosing your next camera often feels like a balancing act - between budget and features, portability versus performance, simplicity against complexity. Today, I’m diving into a head-to-head comparison between two very different cameras: the modest Samsung HZ35W, a compact superzoom from 2010, and the powerhouse Sony A7R IV, a professional-grade full-frame mirrorless beast released in 2019.

Why these two? Because juxtaposing an affordable superzoom compact against a cutting-edge pro mirrorless really demonstrates how far camera tech has evolved - and illustrates how different photographic ambitions demand very different tools.

After testing thousands of cameras over the years, I've found that understanding your needs first makes the decision easier than obsessing over specs alone. So, grab a coffee and let’s unpack these cameras with an eye for real-world use, including their strengths, limitations, and who they’re truly built for.

First Things First: Size, Handling & Ergonomics

When you pick up a camera, it should feel natural in your hands. I always start by gauging physical comfort, as this literally affects how much you’ll want to shoot.

The Samsung HZ35W is tiny by today’s standards - a true pocket-friendly compact at roughly 107x61x28 mm and weighing a featherlight 245g. It slips easily into a jacket pocket or a small purse, making it perfect when “travel light” is your mantra. Its plastic body has acceptable build quality but feels a bit toy-like; don't expect ruggedness or weather sealing here.

Contrast that with the Sony A7R IV - a substantial, SLR-style mirrorless camera weighing 665g and measuring 129x96x78 mm. This camera demands a deliberate grip, complete with well-placed finger cups and thumb rests. For serious shooters, the heft provides stability, especially when pairing those hefty professional lenses. Plus, the Sony has a robust build with some environmental sealing, but it isn't fully weatherproof. Still, it exudes professional confidence every time you hold it.

Ergonomically, the A7R IV’s deep grip and physical buttons make it a joy to operate during long shoots, while the Samsung’s cramped controls are a trade-off for compactness.

The top controls on the Sony are extensive - dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation, plus customizable buttons. Samsung’s control layout is minimal, more aimed at point-and-shoot simplicity than rapid-fire manual tweaking.

Bottom line? For casual outings where portability rules, Samsung wins. For extended sessions requiring precision and speed, Sony’s form factor is built for the task.

Sensor Size & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

If there’s one technical detail that defines how good your images can be, it’s the sensor.

The Samsung HZ35W sports a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor (~28 mm² area) with 12MP resolution. In camera terms, that sensor size is common in superzooms and compacts, optimized for long zoom ranges but limited in image quality, especially in low light and dynamic range. It also uses an anti-alias filter which slightly softens details to reduce moiré.

The Sony A7R IV packs a 61-megapixel full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor, measuring 35.8 x 23.8 mm, a drastic leap both in physical size (about 30x sensor area), resolution, and underlying technology. This larger sensor area means far higher light-gathering capability, dramatically better noise performance, and outstanding dynamic range (~14.8 stops per DXOMark). The BSI (backside illuminated) design further boosts low-light performance.

I’ve tested the Sony’s sensor extensively: its clean, detailed RAW files and excellent color gamut allow for large prints and demanding post-processing where Samsung’s compact sensor struggles to keep noise in check beyond ISO 400.

The Samsung maxes out at ISO 3200, with notable grain and color desaturation at higher ISOs. The Sony goes up to ISO 32,000 natively and can be boosted to 102,800, maintaining usable quality thanks to advanced noise reduction algorithms and sensor tech.

This huge sensor advantage translates into sharper images, better tonal gradation, and more cropping freedom with the Sony.

Behind the Glass: Lens & Zoom Capabilities

A camera’s lens is just as crucial as its sensor, especially when the lens is fixed.

The Samsung HZ35W has a fixed 24-360mm equivalent zoom lens with a 15x zoom range - pretty versatile for a compact. Aperture varies from f/3.2 at wide to f/5.8 at tele, which is average for ultra-zooms. The ability to focus as close as 3cm makes macroing feasible, though image softness can creep in at these distances. Optical image stabilization aids handheld shots at zoomed focal lengths, though it’s no match for sensor-shift stabilization.

The Sony A7R IV is a lens mount camera, compatible with the extensive Sony E-mount lineup - currently over 120 lenses ranging from sumo telephotos to fast primes for portraits, macros, landscapes, and more. No fixed zoom here but unparalleled versatility depending on the glass you mount.

Sony’s sensor-based 5-axis stabilization brilliantly compensates for shakes across different focal lengths and is especially vital for sharp handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.

Practically, if you want everything-in-one, the Samsung’s zoom lens is convenient for capturing distant subjects, but image quality at 360mm isn’t exceptional - typical for superzooms is some softness and chromatic aberration at extremes.

If you value optical excellence and plan specialized genres like portraits, landscapes, or wildlife, the Sony lens ecosystem offers tailored solutions that more than justify the investment.

Autofocus Performance: Capturing the Moment

Fast, reliable autofocus (AF) is essential to not miss precious moments, especially in wildlife and sports.

Samsung’s HZ35W autofocus is basic contrast detection with face detection enabled. It can focus in single-shot mode and track faces reasonably in bright light but suffers in low light and moving subjects. It lacks phase detection, and generally, focus speed is moderate, sometimes hunting in dim conditions.

Sony’s A7R IV boasts a hybrid AF system with 567 phase-detection points spread across ~74% of the frame, plus contrast detection for refinement. It supports eye AF for humans and animals, continuous AF tracking even in bursts at 10 fps, and performs well in challenging lighting.

In my testing, Sony’s eye AF locks onto subjects sharply and tracks them smoothly, even when they move quickly or partially occluded - a godsend for portraits and wildlife. Samsung's AF can feel like a game of patience shooting moving targets.

Shooting Experience: Viewfinders, Screens & Interface

Shooting comfort is more than just buttons; how you compose and review images counts too.

The Samsung has no viewfinder; you frame exclusively on its fixed 3" LCD with 614k-dot resolution. While adequate outdoors in bright sun, lack of an EVF means sometimes awkward handling - especially in bright conditions where glare is an issue.

Sony includes a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (5.76M dots, 100% coverage), razor-sharp and bright. It provides immersive, lag-free previewing which is critical for precise focus and composition, particularly with telephoto lenses. The tilting 3" touchscreen with 1.44 million dots supports intuitive touch focus and menu navigation.

Sony’s customizable interface lets you map buttons and dials to functions you use most frequently, while Samsung’s interface remains more simplified without touchscreen or customization.

If you enjoy shooting from the hip or street photography where discretion is key, the smaller Samsung and LCD-only approach can be more subtle. For serious work, an EVF is indispensable for critical framing.

Image Quality in the Real World: Shootouts and Samples

Seeing is believing. I compared images from both cameras under various conditions.

Samsung HZ35W screen back Sony A7R IV front Sony A7R IV screen back

Portraits: Sony’s shallow depth of field from full-frame and fast lenses yields creamy bokeh and excellent skin tone rendition with natural gradation. Eye AF ensures tack-sharp portraits every time. Samsung can do portraits, but with small sensor and slower lens, backgrounds never blur dramatically and skin tones look flatter.

Landscape: Sony’s high resolution captures minute detail in foliage and rocks with excellent dynamic range preserving shadow and highlight details without clipping. Samsung’s smaller resolution and dynamic range lead to washed-out skies and muddy shadows.

Wildlife & Sports: Sony’s autofocus, burst speed, and tele lenses easily track quick movements and deliver sharp images. Samsung’s AF hunts and burst mode is non-existent, making it unsuitable for action.

Street: Samsung’s discreet size is a boon for candid shots and quick snaps in low light. Sony is bigger and louder but rewards with better quality RAW files for editing.

Macro & Close-up: Samsung’s 3cm macro focus facilitates creative close-ups though sharpness dips off very close; Sony combined with dedicated macro lenses and stabilization produces tack-sharp images.

Night/Astro: Sony’s high ISO and long exposure capabilities eclipse Samsung’s limited ISO range and lack of bulb mode.

Video Capabilities

Video might not be a priority for everyone but is important for all-around content creators.

Samsung shoots max 720p at 30fps in motion JPEG format; basic but functional for casual video. Lack of microphone input, stabilization limited to optics, and no 4K mean it’s not suited for professional video.

Sony offers UHD 4K (3840x2160) at 30p with good bitrates, microphone and headphone jacks for monitoring sound, plus advanced codecs. Its 5-axis stabilization significantly smooths handheld footage. Focus tracking and eye AF even work in video mode.

If video is a big factor, Sony’s capabilities justify the higher price.

Battery, Storage & Connectivity

Samsung uses a modest SLB-11A battery with unknown official life, but in practice around 200 shots. Storage is a single SD slot plus internal memory, no dual slots.

The Sony A7R IV uses the robust NP-FZ100 battery rated for about 670 shots, also supports USB charging, and dual SD card slots (UHS-II compatible) for reliability and flexibility.

Wireless-wise, Samsung lacks connectivity; Sony includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC for remote control and instant image transfer - a significant convenience in a modern workflow.

Price & Value: What You Get for Your Money

Samsung HZ35W launched around $300, making it a budget-friendly grab-and-go superzoom compact. It suits casual shooters prioritizing zoom range and simplicity over sheer image quality.

Sony A7R IV retails near $3500 body only, clearly a serious investment for pros and dedicated enthusiasts who demand the highest image fidelity, rugged build, lens flexibility, and cutting-edge AF.

Unsurprisingly, DXOMark rates the Sony sensor near the top of full-frame sensors, with outstanding color depth and dynamic range; Samsung’s tiny sensor goes untested but practically is far behind.

Considering genre performance:

• Wildlife & Sports: Sony dominates, Samsung simply can’t keep up.
• Portraits & Landscapes: Sony’s quality and flexibility win hands down.
• Street & Travel: Samsung’s portability shines, but Sony’s image quality is unbeatable.
• Video & Night: Sony’s specs are far past Samsung’s capabilities.

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Samsung HZ35W Pros:

• Ultra compact, lightweight, easy to carry anywhere
• Long 15x zoom range for versatile framing
• Simple to use with automatic modes and shooting modes for beginners
• Optical image stabilization for handholding at telephoto
• Affordable price point, approachable for hobbyists

Samsung HZ35W Cons:

• Small sensor limits image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance
• Slow and less reliable autofocus system
• No RAW support, limiting post-processing flexibility
• LCD-only viewing; no EVF or touchscreen
• Basic video specs and lack of wireless connectivity
• Plastic build with no weather sealing

Sony A7R IV Pros:

• Massive 61MP full-frame sensor with excellent dynamic range and noise control
• Advanced hybrid autofocus with eye and animal AF
• 10fps continuous shooting with tracking
• Extensive, high-quality lens ecosystem for any genre
• Weather-sealed durable body with excellent ergonomics
• 4K video recording with professional audio input options
• High-quality EVF and tilting touchscreen with touch AF
• Wireless connectivity and dual card slots
• Long battery life for heavy shooting sessions

Sony A7R IV Cons:

• Bulky, heavier body not as compact for casual shooting
• More complex interface demanding a learning curve
• Pricey, especially when factoring in quality lenses
• No built-in flash

Who Should Choose Samsung HZ35W?

If you’re a casual shooter, budget-conscious, someone who prioritizes portability and ease of use, or seeking a superzoom compact for travel snapshots or family events without fuss - Samsung HZ35W delivers good value. It’s an all-in-one grab-and-go camera that won’t intimidate beginners or cost a fortune. If image quality and advanced settings aren’t a priority, Samsung suffices.

Who Should Choose Sony A7R IV?

If photography is your passion or profession, and you demand the best image quality, robust autofocus, lens options, and video capabilities, the Sony A7R IV is worth every cent. It excels in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and any scenario requiring precision and reliability. Its larger sensor unlocks creative potential unreachable by compact cameras. If you’re committed to pushing your photography skill or gear investment, this is the camera for you.

Closing Thoughts: Different Cameras for Different Paths

Comparing the Samsung HZ35W and Sony A7R IV is like comparing a trusty bicycle and a high-performance motorcycle - they both get you through the journey, but with vastly different results, speeds, and experiences.

While the Samsung is a classic budget-friendly point-and-shoot superzoom compact that still holds value for casual users, the Sony is a state-of-the-art professional toolset demanding time, skill, and money but rewarding with exceptional image quality and creative possibilities.

Ultimately, your choice boils down to what you want out of photography and how much gear you want to carry. For quick, simple, occasional photography - Samsung HZ35W does the job with smiles. For dedicated creation, impeccable results, and diverse use cases - Sony A7R IV stands supreme.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you weigh your options wisely. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences! After all, the best camera is the one that you enjoy using consistently.