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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550

Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39
Samsung HZ50W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Also referred to as WB5500
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced December 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A100
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Samsung HZ50W and Sony A550, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the HZ50W (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the HZ50W (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The HZ50W was unveiled 5 months later than the A550 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the HZ50W grades against the A550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Sony A550

 HZ50W A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Samsung HZ50W

 A550 HZ50W 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ50W and Sony A550

 HZ50W A550 
AnnouncedMay 2010December 2009Similar generation
Manually focus More precise focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Samsung HZ50W comes with outer 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 A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Examine the Samsung HZ50W and Sony A550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the HZ50W against the A550.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HZ50W and A550 is 70 and 63 respectively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by looking at technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ50W and A550.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with the identical megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The HZ50W has got the tinier sensor which should make obtaining bokeh tougher.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography factors
Sony A550 Portrait photography factors
46
manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Sports photography highlights
Sony A550 Sports photography highlights
48
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
58
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (480 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography features
Sony A550 Landscape photography features
51
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
66
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
24
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
9
no video shooting
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ50W and Sony A550
 Samsung HZ50WSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ50W Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Alternate name WB5500 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-05-03 2009-12-09
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 64 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m
Flash options 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426g (0.94 lbs) 632g (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life - 480 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-11A NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $250 $749