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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850

Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39
Samsung HZ50W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB5500
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed April 2010
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the HZ50W (14MP) and A850 (25MP) and the HZ50W (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor size.

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The HZ50W was introduced at a similar time to the A850 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the HZ50W matches up against the A850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Sony A850

 HZ50W A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Samsung HZ50W

 A850 HZ50W 
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Samsung HZ50W and Sony A850

 HZ50W A850 
RevealedMay 2010April 2010Similar age
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung HZ50W enjoys outside dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check the Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the HZ50W vs the A850.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the HZ50W and A850 is 70 and 54 respectively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The image below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ50W and A850.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The HZ50W using its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony A850 will give greater detail using its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures much more aggressively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography info
Sony A850 Portrait photography info
46
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
72
focusing manually
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung HZ50W
Street photography with Sony A850
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Sports photography camera
Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
48
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
has phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
58
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
weather proof
megapixel count excellent (25 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography features
Sony A850 Landscape photography features
51
you can focus manually
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
no liveview
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung HZ50W
Vlogging with Sony A850
24
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
9
can't shoot video
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ50W and Sony A850
 Samsung HZ50WSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ50W Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Also called as WB5500 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-05-03 2010-04-15
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lb) 895 gr (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-11A NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Single 2
Price at release $250 $0