Samsung HZ10W Review

The Samsung HZ10W is aimed at fans of wide-angle photography. Featuring a 10.2 effective megapixel image sensor behind a Schneider-branded 10x optical zoom lens, the HZ10W offers a 24 - 240mm equivalent focal range, a generous wide angle to a useful telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from F3.3 to F5.8 across the zoom range. As you'd expect on a camera with a lens of this reach, there's no optical viewfinder, with images instead being framed on a 2.7" LCD display with 230,000 dot resolution.

The HZ10W's ISO sensitivity ranges from 80 to 1,600, with the ability to extend this to a maximum of ISO 3,200 at a reduced three megapixel resolution. The Samsung HZ10W offers contrast detection autofocusing, with a face detection function capable of detecting nine faces simultaneously that's also linked to the camera's autoexposure system. The HZ10W also has both smile shot and blink detection functions, which can be used to prevent capture of a photo if somebody blinks, and to automatically trigger the shutter when your subject is smiling. The Samsung HZ10W has 13 scene modes aimed at keeping things approachable for beginner photographers while still offering a degree of control over images. More experienced photographers will appreciate the ability to select an aperture or shutter speed manually, with available shutter speeds ranging from 16 to 1/1500 second.

Usefully given the telephoto range available, the Samsung HZ10W includes true mechanical image stabilization, as part of what Samsung terms "Dual Image Stabilization". The other part of the function is Digital Image Stabilization, which combats blur using the camera's firmware, automatically raising the camera's ISO sensitivity (and noise levels) as needed. The Samsung HZ10W has the ability to record movies in MPEG-4 H.264 format, with a maximum resolution of 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) at 30 frames per second. The HZ10W stores its images on SD or MMC cards, and derives its power from a proprietary lithium-ion battery pack. Connectivity options include NTSC / PAL video, and USB 2.0 computer connectivity of unspecified speed.

The Samsung HZ10W ships from January 2009 in either black or silver variants, with pricing set at about $300.

Similar to the HZ10W but smaller lighter larger sensor cheaper But ...

No cameras match your search criteria(s)

   

Ricoh WG-50

$232.95 (40% more)

16 MP (37% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

6% smaller

5x zoom (100% less)

HZ10W vs WG-50

Sony WX350

$288.00 (51% more)

18.2 MP (45% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

74% smaller

2x zoom (50% more)

HZ10W vs WX350

Sony WX500

$348.00 (60% more)

18.2 MP (45% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

12% smaller

3x zoom (67% more)

HZ10W vs WX500

Fujifilm XP120

$119.00 (18% less)

16.4 MP (39% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

9% smaller

5x zoom (100% less)

HZ10W vs XP120

Sony W830

$128.00 (9% less)

20.1 MP (50% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

115% smaller

8x zoom (25% less)

HZ10W vs W830

Canon 360 HS

$284.50 (51% more)

20.2 MP (50% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

79% smaller

12x zoom (17% more)

HZ10W vs 360 HS

Canon 190 IS

$189.00 (26% more)

2 MP (50% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

84% smaller

1x zoom

HZ10W vs 190 IS

Canon SX620 HS

$319.00 (56% more)

20.2 MP (50% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

53% smaller

25x zoom (60% more)

HZ10W vs SX620 HS

Sony HX80

$368.00 (62% more)

18.2 MP (45% more)

Has viewfinder

12% smaller

3x zoom (67% more)

HZ10W vs HX80

Sony HX90V

$448.00 (69% more)

18.2 MP (45% more)

Has viewfinder

12% smaller

3x zoom (67% more)

HZ10W vs HX90V

Canon 180

$166.98 (16% more)

2 MP (50% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

106% smaller

8x zoom (25% less)

HZ10W vs 180

Fujifilm XP130

$109.00 (28% less)

16.4 MP (39% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

9% smaller

5x zoom (100% less)

HZ10W vs XP130

Ricoh WG-6

$336.95 (58% more)

20.2 MP (50% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

8% larger

5x zoom (100% less)

HZ10W vs WG-6

Nikon W300

$386.95 (64% more)

16 MP (37% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

10% smaller

5x zoom (100% less)

HZ10W vs W300

Nikon W100

$156.95 (11% more)

13.2 MP (24% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

16% larger

3x zoom (233% less)

HZ10W vs W100

Canon SX720 HS

$279.00 (50% more)

20.3 MP (51% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

6% larger

4x zoom (75% more)

HZ10W vs SX720 HS

Fujifilm XP140

$229.00 (39% more)

16.4 MP (39% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

9% smaller

5x zoom (100% less)

HZ10W vs XP140

Ricoh WG-80

$0.00

16 MP (37% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

6% smaller

5x zoom (100% less)

HZ10W vs WG-80

Nikon A900

$396.95 (65% more)

20.2 MP (50% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

22% larger

35x zoom (71% more)

HZ10W vs A900

Panasonic ZS70

$347.99 (60% more)

20.3 MP (51% more)

Has viewfinder

24% larger

3x zoom (67% more)

HZ10W vs ZS70

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