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Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43
Samsung WB850F front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Samsung WB850F
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 109 x 62 x 25mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX10V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX30V
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Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Samsung WB850F and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WB850F (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The WB850F was introduced 6 months before the HX20V and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the WB850F grades against the HX20V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung WB850F over the Sony HX20V

 WB850F HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Samsung WB850F

 HX20V WB850F 
Screen resolution922k614kClearer screen (+308k dot)

Common features in the Samsung WB850F and Sony HX20V

 WB850F HX20V 
RevealedJanuary 2012July 2012Same generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Samsung WB850F enjoys physical dimensions of 109mm x 62mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.0") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung WB850F and Sony HX20V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the WB850F compared to the HX20V.

Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WB850F and HX20V is 91 and 90 respectively.

Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through specs. The photograph below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WB850F and HX20V.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony HX20V to show extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung WB850F Portrait photography features
Sony HX20V Portrait photography features
43
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
45
you can focus manually
decent MP (18 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung WB850F as a Street photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (250 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung WB850F Sports photography info
Sony HX20V Sports photography info
52
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung WB850F Travel photography advice
Sony HX20V Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competitors (250g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
great zoom (483mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung WB850F Landscape photography features
Sony HX20V Landscape photography features
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
50
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung WB850F Vlogging information
Sony HX20V Vlogging information
34
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
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Samsung WB850F vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung WB850F and Sony HX20V
 Samsung WB850FSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung WB850F Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-01-09 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 614k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech AMOLED display XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lb) 254 gr (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 62 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 life - 320 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $599 $397