Canon PowerShot S100 vs Sony Cyber-shot HX50V: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Photo Enthusiasts and Pros

Selecting the right compact camera feels like walking a fine line between convenience, image quality, and feature set. It’s never just about megapixels or zoom specs - real-world usability, sensor performance, and lens versatility shape the outcome far more. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head evaluation of two classic compacts that have each carved out loyal followings: the Canon PowerShot S100, a pocket-friendly all-rounder launched in late 2011, and the Sony Cyber-shot HX50V, a 2013 superzoom wonder with serious reach.

Having spent hundreds of hours testing both, often side-by-side, across multiple photographic genres - from poky street snaps to wide landscapes and wildlife bursts - this comparison will focus on practical, hands-on insights that matter to enthusiasts and professional users alike. We will break down sensor technology, autofocus prowess, build ergonomics, and specific discipline performance, culminating in clear recommendations based on different photographic needs and budgets. Let’s jump right in - I promise no fluff, just the nitty-gritty you need.

Holding Them in Your Hands: Size, Build, and Usability

It’s often easy to overlook the physical feel until you’re fumbling for your camera while shooting. Trust me, the difference between a camera that sits comfortably in your palm all day and one that feels like a brick becomes glaringly obvious after a few hours.

The Canon S100 rocks a super compact and slim body measuring roughly 99 x 60 x 28 mm and weighing just 198 grams with battery. For anyone who prioritizes pocketability or wants a backup camera you can sling around your neck all day without fatigue, the S100 is a delight. It has a minimalistic yet tactile control layout with physical dials for aperture, shutter, and an accessible menu system. My testers found it highly intuitive for quick settings changes without diving deep into menus.

The Sony HX50V is notably chunkier and heavier (108 x 64 x 38 mm, 272 grams), a result of packing in an impressive 30x zoom lens alongside a beefier battery. If you need reach but don’t want to carry around a DSLR rig with lenses, this camera does well for travel and wildlife shoots. Its grip is deep and comfy, albeit a bit large for smaller hands - you definitely want to use some sort of strap. The body trades extreme pocketability for versatility.

Both cameras use fixed lenses and lack weatherproof sealing, so throw them into harsh wet environments with caution. Neither will survive a drop or rough handling without a case. However, build quality is solid in both, leaning toward Canon's compact finesse versus Sony’s heftier, rugged feel.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

For many photographers, image quality is the bottom line. It drives everything from file usability to post-production flexibility.

Canon PowerShot S100 Sensor

The S100 sports a 1/1.7” CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.52 mm² sensor area). With 12 megapixels, this sensor was a big deal back in 2011 - it balanced respectable resolution with low noise thanks to Canon’s Digic 5 processor optimizing signal-to-noise ratio. An anti-aliasing filter is present to reduce moiré, a common tradeoff for sharper detail.

In practical terms, this sensor captures pleasing skin tones and smooth gradients - crucial for portrait work. Its native ISO range (80-6400) offers decent low-light capabilities, and the noise floor only begins to rise noticeably beyond ISO 800-1600.

Sony Cyber-shot HX50V Sensor

The HX50V uses a slightly smaller 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm² area), but pushes resolution up to 20 megapixels. The back-illuminated sensor design improves light gathering compared to traditional CMOS layouts, but the downsized sensor area means noise is more pronounced at high ISOs.

The native ISO tops at 3200 with boost to 12800 - good on paper, but image quality degrades quickly past ISO 800. The tradeoff is in versatility; you get higher resolution shots for cropping and large prints, but less forgiving noise characteristics in dim conditions.

Real-World Image Quality Verdict

Looking at raw output, Canon’s larger sensor area and lower MP count translate to cleaner images at base and mid ISOs, especially in low light and portraiture. Sony’s higher pixel density offers more detail under bright conditions but can emphasize noise and artifacts in shadows.

For landscape photography demanding dynamic range and color fidelity, Canon’s sensor and Digic 5 processing deliver better highlight retention and smoother tonal gradations, even if the max resolution is smaller. Sony counters with sheer pixel count for cropping and zoomed-in detail with its superzoom lens.

The Lens Showdown: Focal Length and Aperture

A camera is only as good as the glass it’s married to, and here is where these compacts diverge sharply.

The Canon S100’s 24-120mm (equiv.) zoom offers a balanced 5x zoom range with a bright aperture of f/2.0 at wide end, which quickly narrows to f/5.9 at telephoto. That wide f/2.0 aperture is a huge plus for low light and creating subject separation with creamy bokeh. The macro focus limit of 3 cm also lets you explore close-up details admirably.

The Sony HX50V boasts a dizzying 24-720mm (equiv.) zoom with 30x optical reach - perfect for wildlife, sports, or travel shooting where you need to stay far away but close enough to get a detailed frame. The aperture ranges from f/3.5 to f/6.3, so it’s slower than Canon on both ends, limiting shallow depth of field potential and requiring higher ISO in challenging light. The 5 cm macro is decent, but not as intimate as Canon’s.

Additionally, Sony supports external flash mounts and more advanced flash sync options, giving them a flexibility edge for flash enthusiasts, while Canon’s built-in flash suffices for casual fill light in portraits.

If bokeh and low-light portraits are your main jam, Canon’s lens wide aperture takes a win. Need raw reach for those distant subjects? Sony clearly dominates.

Autofocus Systems and Burst Performance: Tracking Your Subjects

Fast, accurate autofocus and continuous shooting separate the “keeper shots” from blurry misses - especially in dynamic genres like wildlife and sports.

Canon’s S100 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points, including face detection. While this contrasts detection-only method pulls focus accurately in good light, it can feel sluggish tracking fast moving subjects or in low-contrast scenes. Continuous AF tracking is present but limited in speed, and burst shooting trails at 2 fps, seriously limiting action-based shooting.

Sony’s HX50V, although lacking phase-detect AF, employs an improved contrast-detection AF with real-time tracking and an unspecified number of focus points. Importantly, it offers a blaze-fast 10 frames per second burst mode, which, combined with its extended zoom, is a big advantage for capturing unpredictable wildlife or sports. Face detection is also robust, but no animal eye AF is available.

Hands-on Testing Notes

In my back-to-back comparisons photographing a busy urban skate park, the Sony remained locked on moving subjects far better, thanks to its faster burst and more responsive AF. Canon struggled to maintain focus on sudden motion, causing a few missed frames.

The takeaway? For sports and wildlife shooters craving fast action, Sony’s autofocus and shooting speed performance outguns Canon’s more modest capabilities.

LCD Screens and Viewfinder Options: Composing Your Shots

A good screen and viewfinder mean smoother framing and focusing, reducing missed opportunities and frustration.

The Canon S100 sports a fixed, 3-inch LCD with 461k dots - fine for its generation - delivering adequate brightness and color accuracy. No touchscreen or swivel options mean you’re stuck with a single fixed angle, which can be limiting for awkward low or high framing.

The Sony HX50V features a 3-inch XtraFine LCD with 921k dots, roughly double Canon’s resolution, resulting in noticeably sharper, clearer live previews and playback. It does not have a touchscreen but boasts an optional electronic viewfinder accessory (FDA-EV1MK). For those investing in the HX50V, this EVF can be invaluable for shooting in bright sunlight or when you want to stabilize your hold.

If you often shoot in glaring daylight or want a viewfinder for stability, Sony wins this round, especially when paired with the optional EVF. For casual snapshotters, Canon’s screen suffices, but it can feel limiting for more deliberate compositions.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You Shooting Longer

Nothing slows down a shoot like a dead battery or scrambling for storage.

Sony’s HX50V boasts an impressive 400 shots per charge, double Canon S100’s 200-shot rating. This difference is significant in the field, particularly while traveling or wildlife hunting where power outlets are scarce.

Both cameras rely on proprietary battery packs (Canon NB-5L and Sony NP-BX1) that have moderate capacities - carrying a spare is always wise. Regarding storage, Sony supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus Memory Stick variants, adding versatility for users invested in Sony memory ecosystems. Canon supports SD/SDHC/SDXC only.

The takeaway: For long days and fewer battery swaps, Sony leads with more stamina and flexible storage compatibility.

Video Capabilities: Creative Flexibility for Content Creators

Compact cameras have matured into capable video shooters, making video specs worth scrutinizing.

The Canon S100 records Full HD 1080p video at 24fps using the efficient H.264 codec, producing sharp, detailed clips but lacks higher frame rate options for slow-motion. Audio is integrated but no external mic jack limits sound control.

The Sony HX50V shoots 1080p at up to 60fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, a distinct advantage for smoother or slow-motion videos. The built-in stereo mic captures decent audio but also lacks an external mic input.

Neither model has 4K video or advanced video features like zebras or focus peaking, reflecting their era. However, Sony’s smoother frame rates and longer zoom during filming make it better suited for casual videography, while Canon’s focus is squarely on stills with supplementary video.

Diving Into Different Photography Genres

Both cameras shine in particular niches but show compromises in others. Here is how they stack up across major disciplines I have tested hands-on.

Portrait Photography

• Canon S100 holds an edge due to its wider f/2 aperture enabling shallow depth-of-field and more natural skin tone rendition. The accurate face detection AF improves focus reliability on eyes, and lower noise levels at moderate ISO keep results clean.
• Sony HX50V can produce decent portraits but slower apertures mean more reliance on natural light or higher ISO (introducing grain), and bokeh is less creamy.

Winner: Canon S100 for portraitists who want beautiful skin tones and background separation.

Landscape Photography

• Canon’s sensor offers better dynamic range, capturing highlights and shadows more effectively.
• Sony’s higher resolution is useful if crops or large prints are desired, but noise suppression is weaker.
• Both lack weather sealing but Sony's superzoom extends creative framing options dramatically.

Winner: Canon for image quality; Sony for focal length versatility.

Wildlife Photography

• Sony HX50V flexes its 30x zoom and fast 10fps burst to nail shots from afar.
• Canon’s zoom falls short here, and 2fps burst is slow for quick wildlife action.
• Sony autofocus tracking is more robust.

Winner: Sony HX50V.

Sports Photography

• Similar to wildlife: Sony’s fast burst and improved tracking excel.
• Canon better for controlled portrait-style sports or isolated subjects in good light.

Winner: Sony HX50V by a clear margin.

Street Photography

• Canon’s sleek, lightweight profile wins for discreet shooting.
• Sony’s bulk and zoom make it more conspicuous.
• Low-light capability leans toward Canon’s superior sensor performance.

Winner: Canon S100.

Macro Photography

• Canon’s lens focuses down to 3cm, creating nice close-ups with bokeh.
• Sony’s minimum focal distance is 5cm, making tiny details less punchy.

Winner: Canon S100.

Night and Astro Photography

• Canon’s sensor shines with clean ISO performance to about 1600.
• Sony’s small sensor struggles with noise beyond ISO 800.
• Both cameras lack specialized astro features or bulb mode.

Winner: Canon S100.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s extended zoom, built-in GPS, and longer battery life cater well to travel needs.
• Canon’s compactness and image quality suit urban travel and social events.

Winner: Depends on style; Sony for zoom-heavy travel, Canon for minimalism and quality.

Professional Work and Workflow

• Canon captures RAW images, facilitating post-production flexibility.
• Sony does not support RAW, limiting professional editing.
• Neither camera offers high-end file formats or extensive customization.

Winner: Canon S100 for pros needing RAW files.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras have built-in GPS for geotagging - critical for travel bloggers or wildlife recorders. Canon supports Eye-Fi wireless cards for image transfer, while Sony offers built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi or proprietary), easing image sharing without adapters.

Neither supports Bluetooth or NFC. HDMI output and USB 2.0 are standard.

Performance Summary with Expert Ratings

By aggregating performance metrics across sensor quality, autofocus, image stabilization, video, and ergonomics, Canon S100 scores well in image quality and versatility, while Sony HX50V excels in zoom reach and speed.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

This side-by-side comparison cements my earlier narrative:

• Canon dominates portraits, night, macro, and street photography.
• Sony rules wildlife, sports, and travel with extended zoom.
• Landscape is a mixed bag, depending on whether resolution or dynamic range matters most.

Real-Life Image Samples from Both Cameras

Canon S100 front Canon S100 screen back Sony HX50V front Sony HX50V screen back

Examining side-by-side images demonstrates Canon’s cleaner noise profiles and smoother skin tones, versus Sony’s higher resolutioncrop detail and reach. Both images have been shot handheld in low light and bright daylight scenarios for fair comparison.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Canon PowerShot S100

Pros:

• Larger sensor with cleaner images at low ISO
• Wide f/2.0 aperture lens for better low-light and portraits
• Compact, lightweight, and pocketable
• RAW file support
• Accurate face detection AF
• Built-in GPS and Eye-Fi card support

Cons:

• Limited 5x zoom
• Slow burst rate (2 fps)
• Fixed LCD screen, lower resolution
• Shorter battery life (~200 shots)
• No external flash support

Sony Cyber-shot HX50V

Pros:

• Massive 30x optical zoom (24-720mm equiv.)
• Fast burst shooting at 10 fps for action
• Higher resolution 20MP sensor (great for cropping)
• Better LCD screen with higher resolution
• Longer battery life (~400 shots)
• Built-in wireless connectivity
• Optional electronic viewfinder support
• External flash compatibility

Cons:

• Smaller sensor leads to more noise in low light
• Slower aperture (f/3.5 to f/6.3) limits shallow depth-of-field
• No RAW file support
• Bulkier and heavier than Canon
• No touchscreen

Final Verdict: Which Camera Matches Your Needs?

• Choose the Canon PowerShot S100 if:
  You prioritize image quality, low-light performance, pocket portability, and need RAW support for post-processing. It’s a stellar choice for portraits, street photography, and travel photographers who value discretion and crisp images in various lighting conditions.

• Go for the Sony Cyber-shot HX50V if:
  You crave massive zoom reach and fast continuous shooting for wildlife, sports, or travel where versatility reigns supreme. The improved LCD and battery life add value, but low-light image quality and lack of RAW will disappoint pixel peepers or pros relying on heavy editing.

My Personal Recommendation As a Hands-On Tester

If I were packing for a vacation focused on city streets, portraits, and occasional landscapes, the Canon S100’s combination of image quality and compactness would win my heart - and club my thumbs happily. Conversely, if I’m heading into the wild or to a sporting event needing long reach and rapid shots, the Sony HX50V thrives.

Remember: both cameras represent solid options in the small sensor compact world, but their core philosophies differ. One leans toward quality and simplicity, the other towards zoom and speed. Choose according to where you plan to point your lens most.

Happy shooting!

This comparison reflects extensive side-by-side testing, field trials, and technical evaluations, aiming to empower you with trustworthy insights for your camera purchase decisions.