Samsung HZ50W vs Sony QX1

Following is a detailed overview of the Samsung HZ50W and Sony QX1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Lens-style by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the HZ50W (14MP) and QX1 (20MP) and the HZ50W (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The HZ50W was unveiled 5 years before the QX1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the HZ50W scores versus the QX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung HZ50W & Sony Alpha QX1. The full galleries are viewable at Samsung HZ50W Gallery & Sony QX1 Gallery.

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung HZ50W has outside measurements of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony QX1 has specifications of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Compare the Samsung HZ50W and Sony QX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the HZ50W against the QX1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ50W and QX1 is 70 and 90 respectively.

Typically, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The pic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the HZ50W and QX1.

All in all, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The HZ50W using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony QX1 will result in greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged HZ50W will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.