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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980

Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39
Samsung HZ50W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 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
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB5500
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the HZ50W (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The HZ50W was introduced 15 months later than the S980 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the HZ50W matches up against the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Sony S980

 HZ50W S980 
RevealedMay 2010February 2009More recent by 15 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung HZ50W

 S980 HZ50W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ50W and Sony S980

 HZ50W S980 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung HZ50W enjoys exterior dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the HZ50W compared to the S980.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HZ50W and S980 is 70 and 94 respectively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the HZ50W and S980.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Samsung HZ50W to resolve greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The younger HZ50W should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Street photography advice
Sony S980 Street photography advice
56
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
48
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
58
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography details
Sony S980 Landscape photography details
51
focusing manually
really wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
27
focusing manually
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
24
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ50W and Sony S980
 Samsung HZ50WSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ50W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also called WB5500 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-05-03 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426 grams (0.94 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model SLB-11A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $250 $300