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Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Old Model is Nikon L810
  • Newer Model is Nikon L830
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched April 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony HX30V
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Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon L820 and Sony HX50V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L820 (16MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L820 was unveiled 2 months prior to the HX50V so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX50V being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the L820 scores versus the HX50V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Sony HX50V

 L820 HX50V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Nikon L820

 HX50V L820 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Sony HX50V

 L820 HX50V 
LaunchedJanuary 2013April 2013Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon L820 comes with outer dimensions of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Sony HX50V has proportions of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L820 and Sony HX50V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the L820 and the HX50V.

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the L820 and HX50V is 72 and 89 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L820 and HX50V.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX50V to show greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L820 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX50V Portrait photography advice
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
50
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L820 Street photography highlights
Sony HX50V Street photography highlights
38
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (470g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (272 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L820 Sports photography factors
Sony HX50V Sports photography factors
36
amazing zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery (400 per charge)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L820 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX50V Travel photography highlights
56
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (23mm)
great reach (675mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (470 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
better than average battery (400 shots)
lighter than competition (272g)
good megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L820 Landscape photography information
Sony HX50V Landscape photography information
36
really wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
53
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
better than average battery (400 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5 )
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX50V as a Vlogging camera
24
really wide (23mm)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (470g)
34
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (272 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5 )
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
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Nikon L820 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Sony HX50V
 Nikon Coolpix L820Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix L820 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-29 2013-04-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 2920
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-675mm (29.3x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 470g (1.04 lbs) 272g (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 400 photographs
Battery format AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $192 $439