Samsung WB150F vs Sony HX50V: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When shopping for a compact superzoom camera, it’s tempting to get swept up in specs sheets and zoom ranges alone. But as a reviewer who has personally tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, I know better than to judge a camera solely by its numbers. Real-world photography demands a holistic look - image quality, ergonomics, autofocus speed, video capabilities, and usability all weigh heavily when deciding which compact zoom deserves your investment.

Today, we’re diving deep into two small sensor superzooms that represent a fascinating snapshot of early- to mid-2010s technology: the Samsung WB150F and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V. Though both aim at enthusiasts seeking versatile focal length coverage in pocketable packages, their feature sets and performance diverge in several important ways. I’ve spent hours testing and comparing them head-to-head across multiple photography disciplines and shooting conditions. Here’s everything you need to know to make the right call.

First Impressions: Design and Handling Matter More Than You Think

Before we get into specs and image quality, let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked: how a camera feels in your hands and how intuitive its controls are. After all, the best camera is one you enjoy using - and can quickly operate when that decisive moment comes.

Samsung WB150F: Slim and Lightweight

The WB150F is a notably slim and lightweight model, weighing just 188 grams and measuring a compact 107×61×23 mm. Its sleek body feels pocketable and travel-friendly. However, the compactness comes with tradeoffs: the grip is minimalistic, and the fixed lens barrel is relatively thin, which can affect handling especially with extended zoom.

Sony HX50V: Chunkier Yet More Substantial

In contrast, the Sony HX50V weighs 272 grams and is chunkier at 108×64×38 mm. This extra heft and depth lend it a more solid, DSLR-like feel in hand without becoming unwieldy. The larger body provides room for more pronounced grip contours and button placement, improving shooting comfort for longer sessions or when using telephoto focal lengths.

The ergonomic edge here goes to the HX50V, which - although not pocketable in a strict sense - feels more balanced, especially when composing with extended zoom. The WB150F’s slim profile is great for grab-and-go convenience but less comfortable for steady framing.

Control Layout and Interface

Examining the top view layouts shows the Samsung favors simplicity with fewer dials and buttons, while the Sony includes a dedicated zoom lever around the shutter button, a mode dial, and more physical controls for quick adjustments.

Although arguably more complex, Sony’s layout supports faster manual adjustments once you’re familiar with it. Samsung’s approach might appeal to casual photographers who prefer less clutter.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Both cameras rely on the classic 1/2.3” sensor format typical for superzooms of their era - but the similarities end there.

Sensor Technologies Compared

• Samsung WB150F: Utilizes a 14MP CCD sensor. CCDs tend to excel in color rendition but are generally slower and noisier at high ISOs versus CMOS sensors.
• Sony HX50V: Employs a 20MP back-illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) sensor, which affords better light-gathering efficiency and greater dynamic range.

In practical shooting, this sensor technology difference manifests clearly. The HX50V’s images show more detail and noticeably better noise control at ISO ranges beyond 400, thanks to the CMOS architecture and BSI design. Samsung’s CCD performs reasonably at base ISOs (80-200), but noise and detail drop off become evident beyond ISO 400.

Resolution and Dynamic Range

Sony wins the resolution contest hands down, with a native 20MP output versus Samsung’s 14MP. This higher pixel count lets you crop more aggressively or produce larger prints without losing sharpness.

Dynamic range - vital for retaining detail in shadows and highlights, especially landscape scenes - is noticeably wider on the Sony. The HX50V preserves highlight and shadow nuances better, reducing blown-out skies or blocked shadows.

In my side-by-side RAW (yes, Sony can shoot RAW, unfortunately Samsung cannot) comparisons converted to TIFF, Sony's files demonstrated more tonal latitude, a critical factor for photographers who love post-processing.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness

High zoom ranges demand an autofocus system that’s both fast and accurate - miss focus, and your “superzoom” shots are wasted.

Samsung WB150F Autofocus Performance

The WB150F’s contrast-detection AF system is straightforward but lacks continuous AF mode and advanced tracking. It supports face detection but no eye detection or animal tracking. I noticed focus hunt in low light or busy scenes, leading to some missed shots during quick action.

Sony HX50V Autofocus Performance

Sony’s HX50V uses a more advanced contrast-detection AF with face detection and live view continuous AF, resulting in snappier focus lock and smoother tracking for moving subjects. It does not have phase detection or eye AF, which is understandable for its class but still feels superior overall.

In wildlife and sports test sequences, the HX50V’s autofocus had fewer focus lock failures with 10 fps burst shooting, making it more reliable for capturing quick moments.

Zoom Range Versus Aperture

If zoom reach is your priority, the Sony’s 30x zoom (24-720 mm equivalent) comfortably outperforms the Samsung’s 18x (24-432 mm). But zoom range alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

The Samsung maintains a slightly brighter max aperture (f/3.2 - f/5.8) compared to Sony’s narrower f/3.5 - f/6.3 as you zoom in. This means the Samsung lets in a bit more light at wide end, but Sony’s longer reach sacrifices aperture size for zoom length.

For hand-held shooting in low light, both rely heavily on optical stabilization - and both cameras include optical image stabilization that’s effective up to about 3 stops. However, Sony's stabilization felt steadier in my extended telephoto tests.

Real-World Usage Across Photography Genres

Let’s now see how these cameras perform in various shooting scenarios - the true test of any camera’s versatility.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand accurate skin tones, pleasing background blur (bokeh), and reliable eye detection AF.

• Samsung WB150F: Skin tones appear natural, but the shallow depth of field is limited due to smaller sensor and lens aperture; bokeh is soft but visibly constrained. Face detection helps with focus but without eye AF, sharpness on eyes can miss occasionally.
• Sony HX50V: Produces punchier images with better detail rendition. Though bokeh isn't creamy due to sensor size, higher resolution and better AF accuracy give portraits a crisper feel.

Neither camera truly rivals larger sensor models in shallow depth of field, but Sony’s edge in resolution and AF gives it a slight advantage for casual portraiture.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers prize dynamic range, resolution, and environmental durability.

• Samsung’s CCD sensor struggles a bit in dynamic range and noise, which can be limiting for HDR or shadow-heavy scenes.
• Sony’s CMOS sensor produces cleaner images and higher detail preservation, especially useful when cropping.

Neither camera offers weather sealing or robust build, so carry a protective cover if shooting outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, decent burst rates, and telephoto reach are crucial here.

The WB150F’s 18x zoom and 10 fps burst rate are decent, but AF lag and tracking challenges limit success with fast-moving subjects.

The HX50V’s 30x zoom combined with equally fast burst shooting and smoother tracking improve chances to capture wildlife or sports action well.

Street and Travel Photography

Compact size and discretion matter.

The Samsung’s slim form is great for inconspicuous shooting; however, it lacks GPS tagging.

The Sony is bigger but includes built-in GPS - a boon for travel photographers who want to geotag images without carrying extra gadgets.

Macro Photography

Both cameras can focus down to 5cm, offering reasonable macro capabilities for casual close-ups. Thanks to optical stabilization, hand-held macro shots are more feasible.

Low Light and Night/Astro Photography

Noise performance favors Sony; its boosted ISO up to 12800 (though noisy) is an advantage over Samsung’s capped 3200 ISO with no boosted ISO.

Neither offers bulb mode or advanced astro features - keep expectations modest here.

Video Capabilities

The Samsung WB150F records HD video at 1280x720 max resolution at 30fps; Sony’s HX50V shoots full HD 1080p at 60fps, supporting AVCHD format - more appealing to serious videographers.

Neither includes microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

Display, Viewfinder, and UI

The quality and usability of the rear screen influence your shooting experience greatly.

Sony’s XtraFine 921k-dot LCD clearly outclasses Samsung’s 460k-dot TFT, delivering sharper images and better outdoor visibility.

While Samsung lacks a viewfinder, the Sony offers an optional electronic viewfinder (sold separately), further enhancing compositional flexibility in bright light.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Sony’s HX50V outdoes Samsung with a longer battery life rated at approximately 400 shots per charge vs. unspecified but typically shorter lifespan on Samsung’s SLB-10A battery.

Both accept SD cards, but Sony extends support to Memory Stick Duo formats for legacy users.

Connectivity is similar - both have built-in Wi-Fi (Bluetooth and NFC absent) and USB 2.0 interfaces; Sony adds HDMI output, enabling easy playback on TVs.

Durability and Build

Neither camera features environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shockproofing. These compacts are best protected from harsh elements.

Pricing and Value Analysis

At launch, the Samsung WB150F was priced around $230, while the Sony HX50V retailed near $440 - almost double.

Is the price gap justified?

Given Sony’s superior sensor, zoom reach, video specs, LCD quality, battery life, and GPS, it offers better value for enthusiasts wanting more flexibility, especially if telephoto reach and image quality weigh heavily.

Samsung’s strength is in ultra-portability and straightforward operation at a very budget-friendly cost - perfect for casual users or gift-giving.

Summary Ratings and Recommendations

After comprehensive testing, here are how the two cameras stack up overall.

Now breaking it down by photographic genre:

Conclusion: Which Superzoom Should You Choose?

Choose Samsung WB150F if:

• You want an ultra-compact travel camera with easy handling
• Budget is a major constraint
• Your photography is casual, mainly snapshots and family events
• Portability beats advanced features for you

Choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V if:

• You prioritize image quality, especially in telephoto and low light
• You enjoy shooting wildlife, sports, or action with reliable AF tracking
• Video capabilities and longer battery life matter
• You want built-in GPS and superior display for travel photography

Final Thoughts From My Experience

After hours shooting side-by-side in dynamic range tests, sports action, portraits, and travel scenarios, the Sony HX50V emerges as the more capable enthusiast-level superzoom camera, clearly benefiting from newer sensor tech, extended zoom reach, and practical usability advances.

The Samsung WB150F is no slouch - its ease of use, size, and price point make it a fine budget alternative for beginners or snapshot-focused users.

Both cameras deliver the hallmark convenience of superzooms: massive focal length flexibility wrapped in pocket-friendly bodies. Your choice boils down to how far you want to push image quality and functionality versus portability and cost.

Sample Images Gallery: See the Difference for Yourself

Below are sample images taken under similar conditions with both cameras, illustrating differences in sharpness, color rendition, and noise.

Samsung WB150F front Samsung WB150F screen back Sony HX50V front Sony HX50V screen back

Choosing the right superzoom demands careful inspection beyond the specs sheet. I hope this comprehensive comparison helps you pick the model that unlocks the photographer in you! Feel free to ask any follow-up questions or share your own experiences below.

Happy shooting!