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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550

Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39
Samsung HZ50W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Alternative Name is WB5500
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed July 2011
Photography Glossary

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the HZ50W (14MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The HZ50W was brought out 14 months prior to the W550 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the HZ50W grades vs the W550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Sony W550

 HZ50W W550 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Samsung HZ50W

 W550 HZ50W 
RevealedJuly 2011May 2010Fresher by 14 months

Common features in the Samsung HZ50W and Sony W550

 HZ50W W550 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ50W has external dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Examine the Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the HZ50W versus the W550.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the HZ50W and W550 is 70 and 96 respectively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specs. The graphic below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ50W and W550.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP and you can expect comparable quality of photographs however you will need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older HZ50W will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography factors
Sony W550 Portrait photography factors
46
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Street photography information
Sony W550 Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Sports photography camera
Sony W550 as a Sports photography camera
48
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Travel photography factors
Sony W550 Travel photography factors
58
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W550 as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Vlogging factors
Sony W550 Vlogging factors
24
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
29
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ50W and Sony W550
 Samsung HZ50WSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ50W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Otherwise known as WB5500 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2010-05-03 2011-07-24
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
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 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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 426g (0.94 lb) 110g (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single -
Launch pricing $250 $119