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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39
Samsung HZ50W front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Launched May 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB5500
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Samsung HZ50W and Sony NEX-5R, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the HZ50W (14MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is very comparable but the HZ50W (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The HZ50W was released 3 years before the NEX-5R and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the HZ50W matches up vs the NEX-5R in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Sony NEX-5R

 HZ50W NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Samsung HZ50W

 NEX-5R HZ50W 
AnnouncedAugust 2012May 2010Fresher by 28 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Samsung HZ50W and Sony NEX-5R

 HZ50W NEX-5R 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ50W features exterior measurements of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung HZ50W and Sony NEX-5R in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the HZ50W and the NEX-5R.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the HZ50W and NEX-5R is 70 and 89 respectively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ50W and NEX-5R.

Clearly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The HZ50W because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-5R will show greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively. The older HZ50W will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung HZ50W
Street photography with Sony NEX-5R
56
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ50W
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
48
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
68
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography details
58
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
73
has touch focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography details
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
24
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
31
touchscreen capability
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic support
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ50W and Sony NEX-5R
 Samsung HZ50WSony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ50W Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Also called as WB5500 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-05-03 2012-08-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426 grams (0.94 lbs) 276 grams (0.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-11A NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $250 $750