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Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550

Portability
97
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40
Samsung MV800 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Samsung MV800
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 121g - 92 x 56 x 10mm
  • Revealed September 2011
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
  • Introduced July 2011
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Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the MV800 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The MV800 was introduced 2 months later than the W550 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung MV800 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the MV800 grades versus the W550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung MV800 over the Sony W550

 MV800 W550 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Samsung MV800

 W550 MV800 

Common features in the Samsung MV800 and Sony W550

 MV800 W550 
IntroducedSeptember 2011July 2011Similar generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Samsung MV800 has got outer measurements of 92mm x 56mm x 10mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.4") along with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Sony W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the MV800 versus the W550.

Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the MV800 and W550 is 97 and 96 respectively.

Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the MV800 and W550.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Samsung MV800 to deliver greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots more aggressively.

Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung MV800 Portrait photography info
Sony W550 Portrait photography info
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Samsung MV800 as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung MV800 Sports photography details
Sony W550 Sports photography details
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung MV800
Travel photography with Sony W550
71
lighter than competitors (121g)
comes with touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung MV800 Landscape photography details
Sony W550 Landscape photography details
43
really wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung MV800 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (26mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
29
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
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Samsung MV800 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung MV800 and Sony W550
 Samsung MV800Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung MV800 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-09-01 2011-07-24
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.20 m 3.80 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
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 (30/15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 121 grams (0.27 lbs) 110 grams (0.24 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 56 x 10mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.4") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 BP70 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Micro SD SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 -
Pricing at launch $499 $119