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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230

Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39
Samsung HZ50W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Announced May 2010
  • Alternate Name is WB5500
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the HZ50W (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The HZ50W was released 15 months after the W230 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the HZ50W matches up vs the W230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Sony W230

 HZ50W W230 
ReleasedMay 2010February 2009More modern by 15 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Samsung HZ50W

 W230 HZ50W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ50W and Sony W230

 HZ50W W230 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Samsung HZ50W features outside measurements 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 W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the HZ50W compared to the W230.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HZ50W and W230 is 70 and 95 respectively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The pic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ50W and W230.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Samsung HZ50W to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher HZ50W will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography factors
Sony W230 Portrait photography factors
46
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
27
manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung HZ50W
Street photography with Sony W230
56
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung HZ50W
Sports photography with Sony W230
48
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Travel photography highlights
Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
58
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography info
Sony W230 Landscape photography info
51
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse mode
36
manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung HZ50W
Vlogging with Sony W230
24
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic port
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ50W and Sony W230
 Samsung HZ50WSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ50W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Also called WB5500 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-05-03 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
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) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance 10cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.90 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 exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426g (0.94 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $250 $180