Samsung HZ50W vs Sony W710: A Hands-On Comparison from a Seasoned Photographer’s POV

Choosing the right compact or bridge camera can feel overwhelming, especially when models from different generations and form factors stand side-by-side. The 2010 Samsung HZ50W and the 2013 Sony W710 are two intriguing small-sensor cameras aimed at everyday shooters craving zoom versatility or ultra-portability. I’ve spent years testing thousands of cameras, including both bridge-style superzooms and pocket compacts. In this article, I’ll walk you through a detailed, first-hand comparison based on extensive technical evaluation and real-world shooting experience - helping you decide which camera better suits your photographic passions and workflow.

Size and Ergonomics: Bulk vs Pocketability

Right off the bat, the Samsung HZ50W impresses with its DSLR-like body that feels reassuringly substantial in the hand. Measuring approximately 116 x 83 x 91 mm and weighing 426 grams, it boasts an SLR-inspired grip and larger controls that facilitate more tactile handling and faster operation. The Sony W710, in contrast, is a petite 97 x 55 x 20 mm featherweight at 114 grams, easily slipping into a pocket or purse.

For photographers who prioritize comfort during extended shooting sessions or need more physical buttons and dials to speed up settings changes without cycling through menus, the HZ50W’s ergonomics will feel much more professional and user-centered. The W710’s slim, compact shape, however, appeals to travelers or street shooters wishing to remain discreet and ultra-mobile.

If you’re often on the move but still want a camera that feels comfortable and intuitive in your hands, this size difference is a key consideration.

Shape, Control Layout, and Handling Experience

From a top-down view, the Samsung HZ50W shows a classic bridge style with dedicated exposure mode dial (shutter, aperture priority, manual), ample buttons for flash, ISO, and more. The Sony W710 has a much simpler layout, largely menu-driven with few physical controls, reflecting its compact, point-and-shoot ideology.

The HZ50W’s feature-rich interface benefits photographers who want manual exposure control - automatic modes suffice on the W710, but for shaping images with precision, the Samsung’s controls are tailored to enthusiasts who want to craft their exposures carefully on the fly.

Personally, while testing these cameras in diverse lighting and fast-moving scenarios, I found the HZ50W’s physical buttons reduced fumbling and frustration, speeding up my shooting flow significantly. The W710’s touchscreen (though small and non-lifelike in color rendering) offers direct shooting mode changes but is less precise.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Showdown

Both cameras use 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors - the de facto standard for superzoom and compact cameras of their era. The Samsung hosts a 14MP sensor, while the Sony offers slightly higher resolution at 16MP. Though higher pixel counts can imply more detail, we must consider sensor technology, noise control, and pixel size.

The Samsung’s sensor area of about 27.72 mm² with 14MP pixels means each photosite is larger, potentially yielding better low-light sensitivity and dynamic range compared to the Sony’s 28.07 mm² 16MP sensor with smaller pixels. However, CCD sensors are known for limited ISO range and dynamic range performance compared to more modern CMOS equivalents, which affects noise control in dim environments and highlight recovery.

From my experience shooting both cameras side-by-side in challenging natural light and indoor scenarios, the Samsung’s images show less noise at ISO 400–800 and better color fidelity, especially in shadows. Its anti-alias filter helps preserve image clarity but softens fine detail subtly, suitable for everyday use where crispness without artifacts is preferable. The Sony struggles more at higher ISOs, exhibiting aggressive noise and chroma smearing.

You won’t see DSLR-grade image quality here, but for casual nature scenes or portraits where you’re not pixel-peeping, both cameras hold their own in well-lit conditions. The HZ50W’s sensor handles highlight roll-off better, giving it an edge in contrasty outdoor landscapes.

LCD Screens and User Interface

The Samsung features a fixed 3-inch screen with 230K pixels. The Sony is slightly smaller at 2.7 inches but matches resolution and adds touchscreen functionality. While you might expect the touchscreen to be a bonus, the W710’s implementation is limited - no advanced gesture support and often unresponsive in bright sunlight. The Samsung’s LCD, meanwhile, delivers better color balance and sharper preview images, aiding accurate framing and manual focus adjustments.

Notably, the Samsung HZ50W includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF) absent on the Sony. Although the EVF resolution isn’t high, it proves invaluable outdoors in bright sunlight, stabilizing your viewfinder rather than struggling with glare-prone LCDs. This is a big advantage for deliberate composition, especially in nature or travel shooting where steady framing matters.

The Sony’s lack of EVF means relying exclusively on its LCD, which can be challenging under high ambient light. Its UI is beginner-friendly but lacks depth for pros wanting quick access to advanced settings.

Lens and Zoom Versatility: Superzoom Power vs Compact Convenience

The HZ50W shines with its hugely versatile 26-676 mm (equiv.) 26x optical zoom, paired with a fast f/2.8 aperture at the wide end tapering to f/5.0 telephoto. This lens breadth enables close wildlife or distant landscape shots without swapping glass, making it an excellent all-in-one solution. Macro focusing is solid too, down to 10 cm, supported by stable optical image stabilization.

Conversely, the Sony W710’s lens spans 28-140mm (5x zoom) at slower apertures f/3.2 to f/6.5. This is noticeably less reach and light gathering ability, limiting action or wildlife photography potential. The compact lens performs adequately indoors and daylight but shows softness and flare at extremes.

The Samsung’s bigger, heavier lens also delivers superior bokeh quality - its wider apertures permit pleasing shallow depth of field for portraits, producing creamy background separation. The Sony’s narrower apertures all but rule out creative background blur.

In my practical tests photographing both landscapes and urban portraits, the Samsung allowed me to freeze birds mid-flight with its far reach and isolate subjects with smooth bokeh - features simply inaccessible on the Sony.

Autofocus, Speed, and Low Light Performance

Both cameras rely on contrast-detect autofocus without phase-detection sensors, limiting speed and accuracy in low contrast or fast-moving scenarios. The Samsung has a slight advantage from offering single-AF with center-weighted detection, but it lacks continuous AF or advanced tracking features. Face detection is absent on the Samsung, reducing speed with human subjects.

The Sony offers face detection AF and AF tracking (though slow and somewhat unreliable), which aids casual portrait or street photography. Its touchscreen autofocus further helps quick focusing on subjects but at the cost of speed.

Neither camera supports burst shooting meaningfully for action sports or wildlife - continuous shooting is limited to about 1 fps on Sony, and unreported but slow on Samsung.

During field tests in dimly lit environments, I observed the Samsung occasionally hunting for focus but generally locking quicker on high-contrast subjects. The Sony could hesitate and swipe focus searching longer, showing its lower-end AF system.

For low light, both cameras fall short due to sensor technology and limited ISO ranges - the Samsung maxes at ISO 3200 with noticeable noise, the Sony tops at 3200 ISO but noise is harsher and image smoothing aggressive.

Real-World Test: Portraits and Bokeh

Portrait photographers will appreciate the Samsung HZ50W’s wider aperture, longer zoom, and manual exposure modes letting you fine-tune depth of field and skin tone rendering. Its CCD sensor imparts natural color with less artificial sharpening, preserving flattering skin textures. However, without face or eye detection AF, you must aim carefully to pin focus on eyes.

The Sony W710, with slower lens and limited manual settings, defaults to auto everything. It yields softer images with less background separation and slightly cooler color tones.

I shot outdoors portraits side-by-side under late afternoon light: the Samsung produced more three-dimensional faces, smooth bokeh in the background highlighting subjects, and handled contrast well. The Sony’s images felt flatter and more “digital,” though with decent sharpness centrally.

Landscape and Nature Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Resistance

The HZ50W and W710 lack professional weather sealing. Both are vulnerable to dust and moisture, so caution is advised in rugged or misty environments.

On resolution, the Sony’s sensor offers higher pixel count which can translate to more detail in static landscapes when properly exposed. But the Samsung’s better dynamic range preserves detail in shadow and highlight extremes, crucial for shooting sunrises, forests, or cityscapes with deep shadows.

Samsung’s chip paired with the 26x zoom lets you snap distant mountain peaks or wildlife with more reach and less cropping than Sony’s limited 5x zoom. The latter is still handy for casual landscapes but may struggle when fine detail or tonal range is required.

Wildlife and Sports Use: Autofocus and Burst

Neither camera suits serious sports or wildlife photographers due to slow AF and low frame rates. However, the Samsung HZ50W’s telephoto reach and optical stabilization make it a better candidate for casual wildlife spotting or slow-moving subjects. The Sony’s short telephoto end and sluggish AF limit performance drastically.

My experience trying to capture flying birds or fast athletes found the Samsung could lock focus if the subject moved predictably and lighting was good. The Sony often missed focus entirely.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion and Versatility

Because of its small size and light weight, the Sony W710 is the more discreet street and travel companion. Its silent operation and subtle design attract less attention than the large HZ50W. The touchscreen helps intuitive quick shooting in the street hustle.

The Samsung HZ50W’s bulk makes it less ideal for candid shooting or maneuvers in crowds, but the EVF provides compositional advantage outdoors, and the zoom range offers diverse framing options from wide environmental shots to tighter portraits.

Battery life favors Sony’s more efficient power draw and smaller sensor, rated at about 240 shots per charge vs Samsung’s unspecified but likely lower number due to bigger sensor and bright EVF.

Macro and Close-Up Creativity

Both cameras offer 10 cm macro focusing, but the Samsung’s faster lens and image stabilization excel in handheld close-ups. I found the HZ50W more versatile for flower or insect shots, with pleasing background blur and fewer motion blur issues.

The Sony’s compact size is great for crawling into tight spots or quick snaps, but its slower aperture limits bokeh quality and background separation.

Night and Astro Photography Potential

Neither camera is designed for astrophotography, but the Samsung gives you marginally better high ISO usability with ISO 3200 max and manual shutter control down to 16 seconds. This enables some long exposures for star trails or nighttime cityscapes but expect noise and softness.

The Sony maxes at shorter minimum shutter speeds and lacks manual exposure modes, limiting creative night shots. Both have no RAW support save Samsung’s, which helps post-processing latitude.

Video Capabilities

Video is basic on both: 1280 x 720 resolution max at 30fps with no 4K or advanced frame rates. Samsung records in H.264 format vs Sony’s AVCHD and MPEG-4 - not a major difference for casual video but Samsung’s lens and sensor may produce better light gathering in video mode.

Neither camera has external mic inputs or headphone jacks; built-in mics are minimal, ideal only for casual clips. Optical image stabilization helps reduce handheld shake on both.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow Integration

These cameras fall short for professional workflows. The Samsung supports RAW files, permitting better post-processing flexibility. Sony shoots only JPEGs, limiting control over color grading and detail recovery.

Build quality is moderate - no weatherproofing or ruggedized features on either. For reliable, repeatable image quality supporting client work, neither is ideal; they serve more as compact travel backups or casual cameras.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Neither has wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. This absence complicates instant sharing or remote control.

Both rely on SD card formats; Sony accepts a wider range including Memory Stick Duo variants, useful if you have legacy accessories.

Battery-wise, the Sony W710 offers roughly 240 shots per charge on its rechargeable battery pack, while Samsung’s battery life is unspecified but tends to be shorter due to the EVF and large sensor. External USB charging is unavailable on both, requiring dedicated chargers.

Samsung HZ50W front Samsung HZ50W screen back Sony W710 front Sony W710 screen back

I captured this urban street scene (left) with the Sony W710 - colors are bright, and framing was convenient with the compact body. On the right, a nature macro shot by the Samsung HZ50W highlights its superior bokeh and detail rendering.

Overall Performance and Scoring

Based on my hands-on tests covering build, handling, optics, sensor output, and versatility, the Samsung HZ50W averages higher scores for image quality, zoom range, and manual controls but loses points for bulk and slower AF. The Sony W710 rates well for portability, battery life, and user friendliness but lags in optics and creative flexibility.

How They Compare Across Photography Genres

• Portraits: Samsung excels with faster lens and manual control for skin tones and bokeh.
• Landscape: Samsung’s dynamic range and zoom outmatch Sony.
• Wildlife: Samsung’s telephoto reach provides more opportunities.
• Sports: Neither is ideal - but Samsung edges out due to longer reach.
• Street: Sony is preferable for discretion and size.
• Macro: Samsung offers better magnification and focusing stability.
• Night/Astro: Samsung’s slower shutter and RAW support help here.
• Video: Both limited; minor edge to Samsung.
• Travel: Sony favored for pocketability and weight.
• Professional: Samsung’s RAW support aids workflow but still limited.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

The Samsung HZ50W is the obvious choice if:

• You want the extensive zoom reach of a superzoom and manual exposure controls.
• You shoot a blend of portraits, landscapes, and occasional wildlife demanding decent image quality.
• You’re comfortable carrying a larger camera and appreciate tactile dials and an EVF.
• RAW format shooting is important to your post-processing workflow.

This bridge camera punches well beyond its 2010 release date in creative flexibility and image fidelity. It remains a valid option for enthusiasts on a budget seeking a forgiving all-in-one zoom.

The Sony W710 suits you better if:

• Pocket-friendly camera size and low weight trump zoom range.
• You mainly shoot casual snapshots, street scenes, and travel photos where compactness is king.
• You favor simplicity with an accessible touchscreen interface over manual complexity.
• Price is a major factor and you prefer a very affordable camera for day-to-day use.

Its modest zoom and inexpensive price make it ideal as a secondary grab-and-go camera or for beginners.

From My Testing Experience

Over years of direct side-by-side testing, the Samsung HZ50W consistently produced richer images with more creative options, especially outdoors and in portraits. Its ergonomic design and EVF made shooting more enjoyable and professional-feeling. The Sony W710, while a competent point-and-shoot, felt more like an entry-level travel compact best for casual users.

Remember, neither camera competes with modern mirrorless or DSLR systems in autofocus speed, low-light performance, or image quality - but both serve as capable companions for specific photo needs and budgets.

If you’re intrigued, I recommend visiting a store to handle both cameras and see which fits your style best - personally tested ergonomics and UI responsiveness often outweigh specification sheets.

For readers wanting modern equivalents with similar strengths, consider recent Sony RX100 series or Nikon Coolpix superzoom cameras.

I hope this comparison, drawn from years of hands-on experience and technical testing, helps you find the ideal camera for your photographic journey. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments or reach out for personalized advice.

Happy shooting!