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Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Released February 2016
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Nikon B500 and Sony HX1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the B500 (16MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the B500 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") use different sensor sizing.

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The B500 was introduced 6 years later than the HX1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the B500 matches up versus the HX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Sony HX1

 B500 HX1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016April 2009Fresher by 84 months
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Nikon B500

 HX1 B500 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Sony HX1

 B500 HX1 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon B500 provides physical dimensions of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Sony HX1 has measurements of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

See the Nikon B500 and Sony HX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the B500 versus the HX1.

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the B500 and HX1 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading specs. The photograph below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the B500 and HX1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The B500 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Nikon B500 will deliver more detail using its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern B500 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon B500 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX1 Portrait photography advice
37
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
manual focus
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (9MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Street photography camera
52
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than competition (541 grams)
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
heavier than others in class (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon B500
Sports photography with Sony HX1
51
amazing zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
great battery power (600 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
36
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
low megapixels (9MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon B500 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX1 Travel photography highlights
59
great battery power (600 CIPA)
supports bluetooth
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (23mm)
great reach (900mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (541 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
48
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (544 grams)
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX1 Landscape photography advice
45
pretty wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
great battery power (600 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
39
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 Vlogging features
Sony HX1 Vlogging features
27
pretty wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition (541g)
22
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1440 x 1080 resolution)
lack of mic support
heavier than others in class (544g)
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Nikon B500 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Sony HX1
 Nikon Coolpix B500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix B500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-02-23 2009-04-22
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 9MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-900mm (39.1x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 1s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.4fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) 9.20 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1440x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 541 grams (1.19 lb) 544 grams (1.20 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 600 photos -
Battery style AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $300 $47,999