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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Color
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03.Noise
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04.Resolution
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05.Video
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06.Sample Photos
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07.Playback
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08.Hardware
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09.Controls
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10.Design & Handling
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11.Canon SD970 Comparison
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12.Nikon S630 Comparison
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13.Panasonic FX580 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Comments
Samsung HZ15W
Previous: Page 2
ColorNext: Page 4
ResolutionNoise
Noise levels are decent from ISO 400 down, but problematically noisy from ISO 800 up.
Noise (7.68)
At high ISOs, the HZ15W was definitely on the noisy side, but below ISO 400, it was perfectly reasonable. This test looks at how much image noise appears at the different full resolution ISOs that the camera offers, taking into account both bright and low light situations. More on how we test noise.
Under 60 lux illumination, as compared to 3000 lux, the noise is a bit worse at low ISOs, but this difference narrows at the higher sensitivities. Generally we found that at low ISOs, the Samsung manages to keep noise levels about what you’d expect. But after ISO 400, it drives off a cliff, and things get pretty bad.
The following chart shows same-size samples from test shots taken at both light levels.
| Noise Comparisons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 80 | ISO 400 | ISO 800 | ISO 3200 | |
| 60 Lux |  |
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| 3000 Lux |  |
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Because of the high noise levels, especially at ISO 800 and 1600, the HZ15W trails behind the other cameras here. The HZ15W has a full size ISO range of 80-1600, and can also shoot ISO 3200 at three megapixels. However, as you’ll see in the same-size crops below, shots taken at ISO 3200 have nearly as much noise as image.
ISO (7.50)
| ISO Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Samsung HZ15W | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S630 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
| ISO Low | |||
|
ISO 80
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ISO 80
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ISO 64
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ISO 80
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| Samsung HZ15W | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S630 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
| ISO 200 | |||
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| Samsung HZ15W | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S630 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
| ISO 400 | |||
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| Samsung HZ15W | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S630 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
| ISO 800 | |||
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| Samsung HZ15W | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S630 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
| ISO 1600 | |||
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| Samsung HZ15W | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S630 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
| ISO 3200 | |||
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| Samsung HZ15W | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S630 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
| ISO 6400 | |||
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| Samsung HZ15W | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Nikon Coolpix S630 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.
Shop for the Samsung HZ15W
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