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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380

Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39
Samsung HZ50W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Other Name is WB5500
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 Overview

The following is a extensive analysis of the Samsung HZ50W versus Sony A380, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ50W (14MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively similar but the HZ50W (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

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The HZ50W was introduced 9 months after the A380 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the HZ50W matches up vs the A380 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Sony A380

 HZ50W A380 
LaunchedMay 2010August 2009Newer by 9 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Samsung HZ50W

 A380 HZ50W 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Samsung HZ50W and Sony A380

 HZ50W A380 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ50W features external dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Look at the Samsung HZ50W versus Sony A380 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the HZ50W and the A380.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HZ50W and A380 is 70 and 68 respectively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ50W and A380.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The HZ50W comes with the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging. The more modern HZ50W should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography details
Sony A380 Portrait photography details
46
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Street photography camera
Sony A380 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Sports photography details
Sony A380 Sports photography details
48
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
bad battery (500 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Travel photography camera
Sony A380 as a Travel photography camera
58
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
53
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (500 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography details
Sony A380 Landscape photography details
51
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery (500 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Vlogging highlights
Sony A380 Vlogging highlights
24
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
9
no video
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ50W and Sony A380
 Samsung HZ50WSony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ50W Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Alternative name WB5500 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-05-03 2009-08-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lb) 519 gr (1.14 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-11A NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $250 $899