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Samsung HZ15W

 
Samsung HZ15W front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternate Name is WB550
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Samsung HZ15W summary

Samsung HZ15W is Samsung's Small Sensor Compact camera initially announced on February of 2009. It features a 12 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a max resolution of 4000 x 3000. The camera is known as "WB550" in certain regions.

The HZ15W is placed #146 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras and overall #1049 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our database. You should look at our Advanced camera filter to see camera ratings based on your customized criteria.

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The following is a graph of different factors used in the rating system.

Samsung HZ15W family

The Samsung HZ15W comes with a history of related digital cameras. Below, you can take a look at all older and the latest models alongside main specifications.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Samsung-HZ25W front thumbnailSamsung HZ25W
HZ15W vs HZ25W
26-624mm
F2.8-5.0
12MP1/2.3"2010
Samsung-HZ35W front thumbnailSamsung HZ35W
HZ15W vs HZ35W
24-360mm
F3.2-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2010
Photography Glossary
Samsung-HZ30W front thumbnailSamsung HZ30W
HZ15W vs HZ30W
24-360mm
F3.2-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2010
Samsung-HZ10W front thumbnailSamsung HZ10W
HZ15W vs HZ10W
24-240mm
F3.3-5.8
10MP1/2.3"2009
Samsung-HZ15W front thumbnailSamsung HZ15W24-240mm
F3.3-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009

Samsung HZ15W Pros and Cons

Below is a collection of benefits and drawbacks of the Samsung HZ15W based on factors that are typically considered important in a camera.

built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
fairly wide (24mm)
flash built-in
good zoom range (24-240mm 10.0 x zoom)
great minimum ISO (80)
has manual focus
includes HDMI out
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have phase detect autofocus
does not have RAW files
external flash not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed screen
lack of headphone support
lack of microphone support
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low resolution screen (460 thousand dots)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
manual exposure not possible
max zoom aperture not good (f5.8)
more heavy than competition (249g)
no aperture priority
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Samsung HZ15W Sensor details

The size of the sensor in the Samsung HZ15W is 6.08mm x 4.56mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the ability to capture 4000 x 3000 pixels at aspect ratios of 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2. The camera has got Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). In body stabilization is better than digital stabilization as the latter may produce cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 12 megapixels and includes a native ISO range of 80 - 3200. Sadly, RAW files are not saved so the user has less room to maneuver in post.

The image below shows the HZ15W's sensor dimensions when compared to other common sizes. The HZ15W sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.9 and is showcased in green.

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To get a sense of different aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Samsung HZ15W dimensions

Samsung HZ15W weighs around 0.55 pounds (249 grams / 8.78 oz) and the sizing of the camera is 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5"). The weight of typical Small Sensor Compact camera is 174 grams so the Samsung HZ15W is more heavy when compared with its rivals.

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The following is a photo of the Samsung HZ15W beside a soft drink to help you have a sense of its scale.

Samsung HZ15W dimensions scale

The top view here will provide the button layout on the HZ15W.

Samsung HZ15W topview buttons dials

Samsung HZ15W Lens specs

The HZ15W features a fixed lens providing a focal range of 24-240mm making it a 10.0 x zoom which is not at all great nevertheless it would certainly be handy in certain scenarios.

At the widest 24mm, the lens provides an aperture of f3.3 which will be pretty slow and not very good in low light occasions and you might find it hard to capture good bokeh. You will probably also need to raise the ISO causing noisy pictures. For the tele end, 240mm comes with f5.8 which is very slow and you will need to use slow shutter speeds.

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Samsung HZ15W Connectivity

The HZ15W has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Digital cameras which include NFC and Bluetooth support can easily be used wirelessly via smartphones. You can transfer photos and sometimes adjust settings without the hassle of connecting directly to the camera.

Many applications even allow a Liveview and hit the shutter in case you are not near the camera. If the camera features a HDMI out, it could be hooked up to an external monitor. Almost all cameras will allow you to recharge the battery pack with the USB socket.

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Samsung HZ15W Video specs

The max video resolution in the Samsung HZ15W is 1280 x 720 and it can capture in Motion JPEG format. 720p is low by today's standards. You should aim for at least FUll HD resolution for video. The camera does not have a mic and headphone jack so you have got no control over your sound. It is perhaps a better idea to purchase another camera should you require decent sound in your video clips.

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Samsung HZ15W Weather Sealing

Samsung HZ15W does not include environment sealing so rainy conditions can ruin the camera.

Samsung HZ15W Display and Viewfinder

The Samsung HZ15W features a 3 inch fixed screen boasting a resolution of 460 thousand dots.

Please note that the screen offers no touch support.

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The View Finder specifications regarding Samsung HZ15W are below:

  • ViewFinder None

In those bright outdoor situations which make the camera displays washed out and challenging to view, viewfinders can be very useful.

Samsung HZ15W Shutter specs

The max shutter speed is 1/2000s.

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Samsung HZ15W Flash and Hot shoe specs

Samsung HZ15W has got only integrated flash without external flash support.

Samsung HZ15W Autofocus specs

Samsung HZ15W has got just Contrast Based AF and lacks Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection focusing is more faster & exact when compared with Contrast Based focusing. The camera features Face detect making it valuable for portraits.

Samsung HZ15W has got manual focusing in case it is required for low light or you need to have more exact control on focusing.

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Samsung HZ15W Battery life

The usual Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 features the maximum (470) battery life for this category of cameras.

Below is a number of Small Sensor Compact cameras with the strongest battery life:

Samsung HZ15W for different forms of photography

The following bar chart shows a outline of the Samsung HZ15W for different forms of photography. To check out more, check out the specific section below.

Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W

The Samsung HZ15W receives a rating of 31 which is low, meaning that it is not good to use for portrait photos. Shooting portraits leans heavily to sensor size, support for RAW photos and potential to work with external lighting.

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has manual focus
comes with face detect autofocus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format

Samsung HZ15W Street photography info

Getting a modest points total of 52, the Samsung HZ15W is relatively acceptable to use in street photography. A decent street photography camera provides a perfect balance of image quality and portability.

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image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (249 grams)

Samsung HZ15W Sports photography highlights

A low sports photography rating of 27 means the Samsung HZ15W is not good for taking pictures of sports. A camera should have fantastic focusing plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF

Samsung HZ15W Travel photography advice

Weight is super crucial when picking a travel camera. Overall, the Samsung HZ15W gets a reasonable 54 as a travel camera which is fairly suited to take with you on your holidays.

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flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (249 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography advice

When you're planning to choose a digital camera for landscape photos, the most vital factor will be image quality. The Samsung HZ15W at it's low grade of 40 for a landscape camera is not good in the current marketplace.

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you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging features

A vlogging camera ought to posses a articulating display screen, mic input and if possible IBIS. Taking everything in to account, the Samsung HZ15W is not good for vlogging as it delivers a low score of 28.

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relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
heavier than others in class (249 grams)

Samsung HZ15W Alternatives

If you are in the market for alternatives to the HZ15W, below is a range of the highest rated cameras which fall within the class of Small Sensor Compact.

The chart just below will give you a summary of the HZ15W vs it's highest rated competitors suggested earlier.

Following are additional cameras you might see as alternatives. To read through a thorough comparison, simply click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Samsung
Model type
Samsung HZ15W
Also referred to as
WB550
Category
Small Sensor Compact
Launched
2009-02-23
Physical type
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area
27.7mm²
Sensor resolution
12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW photos
Highest native ISO
3200
Minimum native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens support
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
24-240mm (10.0x)
Max aperture
f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing distance
5cm
Crop factor
5.9
Screen
Type of display
Fixed Type
Display size
3 inches
Resolution of display
460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Min shutter speed
16s
Max shutter speed
1/2000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance
4.70 m
Flash options
Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Video data format
Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
249 gr (0.55 lb)
Dimensions
105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
Other
Self timer
Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type
SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots
One
Retail pricing
$330