4.3The Samsung HZ15W is a relatively minor upgrade to the HZ10W introduced just a month ago. The principal upgrades are an increase in resolution from 10.2 to 12.2 megapixels, a larger LCD display and built-in HDMI output. Both cameras sport an impressive 10x zoom, packed into a compact body. This positions the HZ15W to compete with other compact ultra zooms from the likes of Panasonic, Canon and Kodak.
Samsung made its first foray into very small ultra-zoom cameras at CES 2009 with the HZ10W. Here we are just two months later at PMA 2009 and they've already released an update in the form of the HZ15W. The upgrades offered aren't too significant, you get a bigger LCD display, mini HDMI out, and a boost from 10 to 12 megapixels. You'll have to decide whether these upgrades are worth the extra $30 that Samsung is asking for the HZ15W. We tend to think that they are.
Apart from the minor upgrades the HZ15W is one of the smallest ultra-zoom cameras available on the market. Competing with similar cameras from Panasonic and Canon the HZ15W offers 720p video recording, full manual controls and an impressive zoom range from 24mm wide angle up to 240mm telephoto. The zoom range isn't as large as the 12x zoom offered by its competitors, but it is the widest angle lens on a camera in this class. We are a bit annoyed by the lack of thought put into the manual mode, however. Switching between aperture and shutter control is unintuitive. This is probably our biggest annoyance, and if you can live with it there's a lot to like in the Samsung HZ15W.
The HZ15W is available as of March 2009 and has an MSRP of $329.99.
Likes
Dislikes
• Pocketable form factor
• 24mm wide angle
• 10x zoom range
• Full manual mode
• Manual mode is unintuitive
• No aperture or shutter priority modes
• Maximum aperture is unimpressive
