Samsung HZ35W vs Sony NEX-5: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Journey

Choosing your next camera can feel overwhelming with so many options available, even when you keep your focus narrow like in this comparison between the Samsung HZ35W and the Sony NEX-5. These models emerged around the same time in 2010 but target markedly different users and photographic ambitions. Having thoroughly tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, we’ll break down what each excels at, where they fall short, and how these distinctions translate into real-world use across a broad range of photographic genres.

Let’s dive in.

Seeing Is Believing: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

First impressions matter. When you pick up a camera, how it feels in your hands often signals if it will inspire you or frustrate you.

• The Samsung HZ35W is a compact superzoom designed for portability and straightforward shooting. With dimensions of 107x61x28mm and a featherweight 245g, it’s ideal for slipping into a pocket or small bag.
• The Sony NEX-5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens system, slightly larger and heavier at 111x59x38mm and 287g (body only), but still very pocketable compared to DSLR alternatives. Its rangefinder-style design gives a comfortable grip despite the smaller footprint.

In ergonomics, the Samsung’s compactness means fewer tactile controls - everything is streamlined for point-and-shoot ease with manual overrides for enthusiasts. The Sony’s design includes a tilting 3-inch screen, and a broader array of buttons and dials for quicker access to exposure and focus settings, foreshadowing the more sophisticated user experience mirrorless cameras are known for.

Ergonomic takeaway:

• Choose the Samsung if ultra-portability and simplicity are your priorities.
• The Sony wins on comfort and control access if you’re ready to engage more deeply with settings and lenses.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Your camera’s sensor is arguably the heart of image quality, influencing resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

The Sony NEX-5’s APS-C sensor is significantly larger than the tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor in the Samsung. In photography, sensor size translates directly to image quality quality advantages:

• Larger sensors gather more light, delivering superior dynamic range - retaining details in both bright highlights and shadow areas.
• Greater control over depth of field enables the more natural subject isolation and creamy bokeh.
• Sony’s capability to shoot in RAW unlocks extensive postprocessing possibilities essential for professionals and serious enthusiasts.
• Sony’s higher native ISO capability means cleaner images in low light.
• Samsung’s sensor, while standard in many compact superzooms, is more restrictive - favoring daylight shots and casual use.

In practical terms, landscapes, portraits, and night scenes capture more detail, color fidelity, and tonal richness on the NEX-5.

Viewing and Composing Your Shots

Screen quality and viewfinding tools affect your framing precision and shooting experience.

The Sony’s higher resolution tilting screen offers better visibility outdoors and more flexibility for shooting angles - great for low or high framing or self-recording. The Samsung provides a simple fixed 3-inch screen, adequate but lacking versatility for dynamic shooting conditions.

Neither device offers an electronic viewfinder (EVF), meaning compositions rely entirely on the LCD - a limitation when shooting in bright sunlight where glare hampers screen visibility.

Autofocus and Lens Performance: The Art of Sharpness

Autofocus speed, accuracy, and lens selection are pivotal for capturing precious moments, especially in fast-moving scenarios.

The Samsung’s built-in 15x zoom lens (24-360mm equivalent) covers a versatile range for everyday photography, from wide-angle landscapes to distant subjects. Its optical image stabilization helps counteract shake in this zoom range.

The Sony NEX-5’s interchangeable lens mount is a standout advantage, supporting a rapidly growing ecosystem of over 120 compatible lenses at launch and expanding continuously. You can pick lenses optimized for:

• Ultrawide landscapes
• Fast-aperture portraits
• Super-telephoto wildlife
• Macro close-ups

The autofocus system on the Sony is more advanced, especially with 25 focus points and continuous AF - which benefits subjects in motion and complex compositions. Samsung’s contrast-detection AF is simpler, slower, and better suited to static subjects and casual use.

Shooting Sports, Wildlife & Action: Which Camera Keeps Up?

Capturing fast-paced subjects demands rapid autofocus, high burst rates, and effective tracking.

The Samsung’s zoom lens reaches 360mm equivalent, offering a strong starting focal length for casual wildlife and sports photography, but its lack of continuous AF and slow burst capabilities hamper precision shots of moving subjects.

The Sony’s 7 frames per second burst rate coupled with continuous AF, faster shutter speed, and the option to mount professional telephoto lenses give it a clear advantage for dynamic shooting needs like wildlife and sports. Despite no dedicated tracking mode, skilled users can work around this for better results.

Portraits and Bokeh: Skin Tones and Background Blur

Portraits often judge a camera’s ability to render lifelike colors and smooth bokeh for subject separation.

• The Samsung’s small sensor and fixed lens limit background blur, yielding relatively flat depth-of-field effects.
• The Sony’s APS-C sensor and choice of fast prime lenses like a 50mm f/1.8 or 35mm f/1.8 create a much shallower depth of field for pro-level bokeh.
• Sony offers custom white balance and RAW support for nuanced skin tone reproduction.
• Samsung’s face detection helps autofocus on faces but doesn’t provide in-depth eye autofocus or advanced subject tracking.

If portraits are a key interest, Sony’s NEX-5 with a bright prime lens is a superior choice for flattering skin tones and pleasing background blur.

Exploring Creative Boundaries: Macro and Landscape Photography

Creative genres require specific technical assets:

Samsung’s 3cm macro focusing distance is decent for casual close-ups but limited in precision and magnification. Sony users can explore dedicated macro prime or zooms with focus limiting and stabilization features to achieve very fine close-up work.

Landscape shooters benefit greatly from Sony’s superior sensor size and dynamic range, capturing extensive tonal detail in sky and shadow. Neither camera offers weather sealing, so be mindful shooting in adverse conditions.

Street and Travel: Discretion and Portability

When roaming cities or packing light for travel, size and lens accessibility matter.

• The Samsung’s compact fixed-lens body and long zoom make it easy to carry for travel snapshots and casual street captures.
• Sony’s mirrorless form and interchangeable lens system offers compactness but slightly more bulk and complexity.
• Battery life favors the Sony at approximately 330 shots per charge, while the Samsung’s battery endurance is unspecified but generally lower for pocket compacts.

The Sony’s tilting screen assists shooting from creative, non-intrusive angles - valuable for street photography. The Samsung’s simple interface appeals to beginners who want to grab shots with minimal fuss.

Night and Astro: How Low Can You Go?

Shooting at night is a telling test of sensor quality and noise management.

• Samsung’s CCD sensor maximizes clarity only up to ISO 3200 but without RAW support limits noise reduction finesse.
• Sony’s APS-C CMOS sensor boasts max ISO 12800, cleaner noise performance (DxOMark low light ISO 796), and RAW files enable extensive editing.

If you chase stars, city lights, or candlelit scenes, the Sony substantially outperforms the Samsung in producing usable images under challenging light.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures Compared

Both cameras offer HD video, but their capabilities differ significantly.

Sony’s Full HD 60p recording using AVCHD format provides smoother, higher-quality video than Samsung’s HD 720p Motion JPEG clips. Though neither supports external microphones, Sony’s manual focus and continuous AF video make it a more flexible choice for casual filmmakers and vloggers.

Built for the Journey: Build Quality, Battery, and Connectivity

Durability and power solutions are practical concerns for consistent use.

Sony’s adoption of dual memory type compatibility and longer battery life gives it a practical edge. The Samsung’s built-in GPS tagging benefits travelers adding location metadata to shots - a feature missing on the NEX-5 without accessories.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings & Genre Recommendations

Having covered specs, handling, and performance, let's summarize how these cameras stack up in various photography types. The following chart reflects our combined technical analysis, hands-on testing, and real-world trial feedback.

And to break it down by photographic discipline:

• Portrait Photography: Sony NEX-5 shines for skin tones and bokeh; Samsung delivers competent casual portraits.
• Landscape: Sony’s sensor and resolution dominate here.
• Wildlife: Sony offers better lens options and faster shooting speed; Samsung’s zoom lens is a convenient starter.
• Sports: Sony’s 7 fps and continuous AF outperform Samsung’s limited burst and AF.
• Street: Samsung’s compactness is handy; Sony’s tilt screen and lens versatility appeal to enthusiasts.
• Macro: Sony provides options; Samsung’s fixed lens macro is basic.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s low-light prowess takes the lead.
• Video: Sony’s Full HD at 60p is a clear advantage.
• Travel: Samsung’s compactness and GPS are handy; Sony balances portability and professional features.
• Professional Work: Sony offers RAW files, manual controls, and a lens ecosystem essential for pros.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Creative Journey?

Understanding your photography goals will guide your choice between these two:

Choose the Samsung HZ35W if:

• You want an ultra-portable all-in-one with a versatile zoom lens.
• You prioritize simplicity and ease of use over manual controls.
• Compact travel snaps, casual street photography, and quick vacation shots define your needs.
• Budget is constrained (around $300 new or less used market).
• GPS geotagging is a plus.

Choose the Sony NEX-5 if:

• You’re ready to invest in a system camera with interchangeable lenses.
• Superior image quality, dynamic range, and RAW support matter to you.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, low-light scenes, or need burst shooting for action.
• You want video with Full HD 60p and higher creative control.
• You seek a foundation to expand your photography skills and kit over time.

Getting Started and Exploring Further

Whichever camera you pick, we encourage you to get hands-on experience at a local camera store or rental service. Test the ergonomics, try the menus, and shoot a few frames in your preferred style. Pair your camera with accessories that boost your creativity - be it a versatile prime lens for the Sony or a tripod and filters for the Samsung.

Samsung HZ35W screen back Sony NEX 5 front Sony NEX 5 screen back

Explore our sample image gallery above, showcasing both cameras side by side in various shooting conditions. Notice the difference in detail, color, and bokeh – a vivid illustration of the tech specs in practice.

In Summary

Your next camera is a tool to unlock creativity, not just a collection of specifications. Both the Samsung HZ35W and Sony NEX-5 have unique strengths suited for different photographers. Use this comparison as a foundation to match a camera to your envisioning and crafting of imagery.

For beginners desiring portability and simplicity, the Samsung is a warm welcome. For enthusiasts ready to grow and demand professional-grade quality, the Sony NEX-5 remains a powerful gateway.

Get out there, shoot a lot, and let your new camera be the partner that helps your photographic journey soar!

If this in-depth comparison helped your research, explore more hands-on reviews and real-world samples on our site. Dive into our buying guides to find optimal lenses and accessories tailored for your chosen system. Happy shooting!