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Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
60
Overall
49

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Announced September 2010
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX40 HS
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced March 2016
Photography Glossary

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the SX30 IS (14MP) and HX80 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was unveiled 6 years before the HX80 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SX30 IS matches up against the HX80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Sony HX80

 SX30 IS HX80 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Canon SX30 IS

 HX80 SX30 IS 
AnnouncedMarch 2016September 2010More recent by 66 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Sony HX80

 SX30 IS HX80 
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX30 IS features external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") and a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony HX80 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SX30 IS versus the HX80.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX30 IS and HX80 is 64 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by going through a spec sheet. The visual below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX30 IS and HX80.

Clearly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony HX80 to produce extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older SX30 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony HX80 Portrait photography factors
41
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
39
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Street photography advice
Sony HX80 Street photography advice
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than average in class (601g)
69
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (245g)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Sports photography camera
43
excellent zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
57
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
features tracking focus
better than average battery pack (390 CIPA)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX30 IS
Travel photography with Sony HX80
57
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (840mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (601g)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
76
better than average battery pack (390 per charge)
lighter than others (245 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Landscape photography camera
40
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
49
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
better than average battery pack (390 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging info
Sony HX80 Vlogging info
49
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than average in class (601 grams)
75
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (245g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
missing mic port
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Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Sony HX80
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-09-14 2016-03-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 0cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 601g (1.32 lbs) 245g (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 390 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-7L NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $400 $368