Samsung HZ35W vs Sony NEX-5R

The following is a extended review of the Samsung HZ35W versus Sony NEX-5R, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the HZ35W (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the HZ35W (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The HZ35W was released 3 years earlier than the NEX-5R which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ35W being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the HZ35W matches up vs the NEX-5R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung HZ35W and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The complete galleries are provided at Samsung HZ35W Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ35W comes with outside dimensions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

See the Samsung HZ35W versus Sony NEX-5R in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the HZ35W against the NEX-5R.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the HZ35W and NEX-5R is 91 and 89 respectively.

Usually, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by checking technical specs. The picture below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ35W and NEX-5R.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The HZ35W due to its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh trickier and the Sony NEX-5R will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged HZ35W is going to be behind in sensor technology.