Nikon L31 vs Samsung HZ50W Comparison

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Nikon L31

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS Sensor

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Samsung HZ50W

14 MP | 1/2.33 CCD Sensor

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Nikon L31 vs Samsung HZ50W Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two cameras with different body types: Nikon L31, which was introduced in January 2015 is a Ultracompact camera with a 16.0MP 1/2.3' sensor whereas Samsung HZ50W, which was introduced in May 2010 is a Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 14.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor. As you can see, HZ50W is 5 years older than L31. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon L31 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2015-01-14

16MP - 1/2.3' CMOS Sensor

ISO 80 - 1600

26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 Zoom Lens

2.70" Fixed Type Screen

fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

160g. 96 x 59 x 29 mm

Samsung HZ50W Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2010-05-03

14MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 64 - 3200 ( expands to 6400)

26-676 mm F2.8-5.0 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3.00" Fixed Type Screen

Electronic viewfinder

fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

426g. 116 x 83 x 91 mm

Also known as WB5500

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

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Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix L31 over Samsung HZ50W

Face Detection Focus	Yes vs No	very handy for portraits
Sensor Resolution	16 MP vs 14 MP	14% more pixels
Weight	160 g vs 426 g	266 g lighter
Selfie & Vlogger LCD	Yes vs No	Rotate LCD for taking Selfies

CHECK L31 PRICE

Reasons to choose Samsung HZ50W over Nikon Coolpix L31

In-built Image Stabilization	Optical vs None	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and slow shutter speeds
Viewfinder	Electronic vs None	Better framing and control
RAW Support	Yes vs No	Better image quality
Max ISO	3.200 vs 1.600	100% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Size	3 vs 2.7"	0.3 inches larger display
Focal Length - Tele	676mm vs 130mm	546 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	26× vs 5×	more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	2.80 vs 3.20	faster lens at wide
Max Aperture - Tele	5.00 vs 6.50	faster lens at tele
Flash Coverage	5.6m vs 3.6m	2m longer range

CHECK HZ50W PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Samsung HZ50W

Built-in Flash	Yes vs Yes	Useful in low-light

Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Samsung HZ50W

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	Screen tilts or Flips out independently, perfect for both stills and video
External Flash Shoe	No vs No	Not suitable for flash photography
LCD Screen Resolution	230k dots vs 230k dots	Low resolution screens
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions
AE Bracketing	No vs No	Not good for multi-exposure HDR

Nikon L31 vs Samsung HZ50W: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon L31 has external dimensions of 96 x 59 x 29 mm (3.78 x 2.32 x 1.14″) and weighs 160 g (0.35 lb / 5.64 oz) (including batteries). Samsung HZ50W has external dimensions of 116 x 83 x 91 mm (4.57 x 3.27 x 3.58″) and weighs 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W. Nikon L31 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 20mm narrower, 24mm shorter and 62mm thinner than Samsung HZ50W.

Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon L31 is significantly lighter (266g ) than the Samsung HZ50W which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Bridge Cameras

L31

HZ50W

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Bridge Cameras

L31

HZ50W

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Nikon Coolpix L31 nor Samsung HZ50W (WB5500) provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing
Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Samsung HZ50W's 3.00" LCD screen is slightly larger than Nikon L31's 2.7" screen.

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Nikon L31 vs Samsung HZ50W: Sensor Comparison

Nikon L31 has a 16.0MP 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Samsung HZ50W has a 14.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm ) sized CCD sensor .

Below you can see the L31 and HZ50W sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W Cameras

Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W have almost the same sensor size so none of them has any significant advantage over other in providing control over depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Nikon L31 vs Samsung HZ50W Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon L31 features a 26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 5× zoom lens whereas Samsung HZ50W features a 26-676 mm F2.8-5.0 26× zoom lens.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 26mm. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f2.80, Samsung HZ50W is faster than Nikon L31 at this focal length. On the tele end, Samsung HZ50W has 546mm longer reach than the Nikon L31. At f5.00, it is also faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

L31

HZ50W

Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS

Average

Telezoom

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31

HZ50W

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31

HZ50W

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31

HZ50W

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon L31 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Samsung HZ50W for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.33 sensor
No External Flash Shoe
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Street Photography

POOR

Samsung HZ50W for Street Photography

GOOD

Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Live-view
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.33 sensor
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Sports Photography

POOR

Samsung HZ50W for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
130 mm Tele Lens
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 200 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.50
Read the details

Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
676 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No External Flash Shoe
Environmental Sealings
Focus Points
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Daily Photography

POOR

Samsung HZ50W for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Compact Body
160g
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

RAW shooting capability
26.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.33 sensor
426g
Body Thickness 91mm
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Samsung HZ50W for Landscape Photography

POOR

26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

RAW shooting capability
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Small 1/2.33 sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon L31 vs Samsung HZ50W: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon L31 and Samsung HZ50W scores compare:

Nikon L31

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #105 out of 155 in Ultracompact cameras
Ranked #1132 out of 1259 in all Cameras

Samsung HZ50W

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #59 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #623 out of 1259 in all Cameras

Samsung HZ50W is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Nikon L31 in all criteria except one: Portability.
If small size and light body is a big priority for you, choose Nikon L31. Otherwise, Samsung HZ50W is the better camera overall.

Samsung HZ50W vs Nikon L31 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Nikon Coolpix L31	Samsung HZ50W
Brand	Nikon	Samsung
Announced	2015-01-14	2010-05-03
Body Type	Ultracompact	SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor
Type	CMOS	CCD
Size	1/2.3'	1/2.3-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	6.08 x 4.56 mm
Area	28.07mm²	27.72mm²
Megapixels	16 megapixels	14 megapixels
Max Resolution	4608 x 3456	4320 x 3240
Max Native Light sensitivity	1,600 ISO	3,200 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity	-	6400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	64 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points	n/a	n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	fixed lens
Lens Focal Range	26-130 mm (5×)	26-676 mm (26×)
Max Aperture	F3.2-6.5	F2.8-5.0
Macro Focus Range	10cm	10cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	2.70"	3.00"
Resolution	230k dots	230k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	Electronic
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/2000s	1/2000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization	Digital only	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	3.60 m	5.60 m
External Flash
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	1280 x 720	1280 x 720
Video Formats	Motion JPEG	H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	None	None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	160g	426g
Dimensions	96 x 59 x 29mm	116 x 83 x 91mm
Battery Life	200 shots	n/a
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	None
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction