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Samsung HZ50W

 
Samsung HZ50W front
 
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB5500
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39

Samsung HZ50W overview

Samsung HZ50W is Samsung's Small Sensor Superzoom camera first announced on May of 2010. It comes with a 14 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a maximum resolution of 4320 x 3240. The camera is referred to as "WB5500" in some markets.

The HZ50W is rated #152 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and all-around #757 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to test our Advanced camera finder to get camera results based on your custom factors.

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Here is a diagram of various criteria used in the scoring system.

Samsung HZ50W family

The Samsung HZ50W is part of a family of products. You can see the detailed range underneath.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Samsung-HZ25W front thumbnailSamsung HZ25W
HZ50W vs HZ25W
26-624mm
F2.8-5.0
12MP1/2.3"2010
Samsung-HZ35W front thumbnailSamsung HZ35W
HZ50W vs HZ35W
24-360mm
F3.2-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2010
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Samsung-HZ50W front thumbnailSamsung HZ50W26-676mm
F2.8-5.0
14MP1/2.3"2010
Samsung-HZ30W front thumbnailSamsung HZ30W
HZ50W vs HZ30W
24-360mm
F3.2-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2010

Samsung HZ50W Pros and Cons

Below is a checklist of positives and negatives of the Samsung HZ50W based on factors which are usually viewed as crucial in a camera.

built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with HDMI out
fairly wide (26mm)
flash built-in
great min ISO (64)
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
long zoom (676mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice screen size (3 inches)
saves RAW files
you can focus manually
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have phase detect auto focus
external flash not possible
no external microphone support
no headphone support
no Timelapse recording
screen does not articulate
screen has low resolution (230 thousand dots)
slow at full zoom (f5.0)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
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Samsung HZ50W Sensor specifications

The size of the sensor in the Samsung HZ50W is 6.08mm x 4.56mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to resolve 4320 x 3240 pixels at aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera boasts Image Stabilization (Optical). Sensor stabilization is better than digital stabilization as the latter can easily produce cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 14 megapixels and gives a native ISO range of 64 - 3200. This ISO can also be expanded electronically to a high of 6400. RAW files are supported so the user has wider room to maneuver in post.

The image underneath shows the HZ50W's sensor dimensions in comparison to other common sizes. The HZ50W sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.9 and is presented in green.

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To get an idea of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Samsung HZ50W dimensions

Samsung HZ50W is 0.94 pounds (426g / 15.03 oz) and features outside measurements of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6"). The weight of normal Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387g so the Samsung HZ50W is more heavy when compared with various rivals.

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Here is a image of the Samsung HZ50W next to a soft drink so you can have a sense of its scale.

Samsung HZ50W dimensions scale

The top view underneath will highlight the button design on the HZ50W.

Samsung HZ50W topview buttons dials

Samsung HZ50W Lens specifications

The HZ50W includes a built-in lens providing a focal range of 26-676mm making it a 26.0 x zoom which is significant and would make it easier to zoom all the way in.

At the widest 26mm, the lens will have an aperture of f2.8 which will be very slow and not very good in low light occasions and you will likely find it difficult to capture good bokeh. You might also have to boost the ISO setting producing noisy files. At the tele end, 676mm is phenomenal zoom and comes to f5.0 which is very slow and you may need to apply slow shutter speeds.

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Samsung HZ50W Connectivity

The HZ50W has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Cameras that come with NFC and / or Bluetooth compatibility can easily be used wirelessly through smartphones. You can send photos and usually adjust camera settings without connecting straight to the camera.

Some applications even give a Liveview and click the shutter whenever you aren't near the camera. If the camera contains a HDMI out, it could be hooked up to an external screen. Almost all cameras enable you to recharge the battery using the USB socket.

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Samsung HZ50W Video specifications

The maximum video resolution in the Samsung HZ50W is 1280 x 720 and it can capture in H.264 format. 720p is terrible by today's standards. You should really go for a minimum 1080p resolution for video recording. The camera doesn't feature a mic and / or headphone socket so you have got no control over your audio. It is perhaps a better idea to consider a different model should you require decent audio in your video clips.

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Samsung HZ50W Weather Sealing

Samsung HZ50W doesn't include weather sealing so rainy conditions could affect the camera.

Samsung HZ50W Display and Viewfinder

The Samsung HZ50W comes with a 3 inch fixed display screen boasting a resolution of 230 thousand dots.

Sadly the display screen is not a touch screen.

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The View Finder details regarding Samsung HZ50W are as follows:

  • ViewFinder Electronic

Viewfinders are very useful during sunny outdoor situations which can easily make the camera display washed out and very difficult to view.

Samsung HZ50W Shutter specifications

The maximum shutter speed is 1/2000 sec.

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Samsung HZ50W Flash and Hot shoe specifications

Samsung HZ50W boasts only integrated flash without external flash ability.

Samsung HZ50W Autofocusing specifications

Samsung HZ50W boasts just Contrast Detect AF and is missing Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection focusing is a lot more quicker & exact when compared with Contrast Detect focusing.

Samsung HZ50W boasts manual focus in case it is required during low light or you need to have more accurate focus control.

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Samsung HZ50W Battery life

The general Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR has got the highest possible (600) battery life within this category of cameras.

Below is a number of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras which have the highest battery life:

Samsung HZ50W for various categories of photography

The following graph presents a analysis of the Samsung HZ50W for various categories of photography. To check out more, scroll to the specific paragraph underneath.

Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography highlights

The Samsung HZ50W receives a points tally of 46 which is average, and means the camera is relatively adequate to use for portrait photography. Photographing portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor dimension, support for RAW photos plus the potential to work with off-camera lighting.

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focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")

Samsung HZ50W Street photography factors

Getting a moderate points tally of 56, the Samsung HZ50W is fairly suitable to use in street photography. A good street photography camera offers a good balance of picture quality plus portability.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")

Samsung HZ50W Sports photography highlights

A reasonable sports photography rating of 48 indicates the Samsung HZ50W is reasonably adequate for shooting sports. A camera really should have great autofocus plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF

Samsung HZ50W Travel photography details

Portability is pretty critical when picking a travel camera. On the whole, the Samsung HZ50W gets a modest 58 as a travel camera which is fairly suitable for your trips.

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resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)

Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography factors

In case you're looking to purchase a digital camera for landscape pictures, the most critical factor is going to be image quality. The Samsung HZ50W at it's reasonable rating of 51 for a landscape camera is somewhat suitable compared to it's competition.

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you can focus manually
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode

Samsung HZ50W Vlogging information

A vlogging camera should have a articulating display, mic port and ideally IBIS. Taking everything into account, the Samsung HZ50W is not really appropriate as a vlog camera as it receives a horrible score of 24.

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relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port

Samsung HZ50W Alternatives

If you are trying to find replacements to the HZ50W, here is a range of the highest placed cameras that fall into the family of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The diagram followed below will give you a summary of the HZ50W compared to it's highest ranked competitors suggested previously.

There are a bunch of cameras you may regard as alternative options. To browse through a full comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand
Samsung
Model
Samsung HZ50W
Also called as
WB5500
Category
Small Sensor Superzoom
Released
2010-05-03
Physical type
SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area
27.7mm²
Sensor resolution
14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution
4320 x 3240
RAW images
Highest native ISO
3200
Highest boosted ISO
6400
Min native ISO
64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mounting type
fixed lens
Lens focal range
26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture
f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance
10cm
Crop factor
5.9
Screen
Type of display
Fixed Type
Display diagonal
3 inches
Resolution of display
230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
Electronic
DXO scores
DXO All around score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
16 secs
Maximum shutter speed
1/2000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range
5.60 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Video data format
H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
426g (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions
116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
Other
Battery model
SLB-11A
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Storage type
SC/SDHC, Internal
Card slots
Single
Price at launch
$250