Clicky

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Succeeded the Nikon P510
  • Updated by Nikon P530
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Nikon P520 versus Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The P520 was manufactured 12 months after the HX30V so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the P520 grades versus the HX30V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Sony HX30V

 P520 HX30V 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2012More modern by 12 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Nikon P520

 HX30V P520 
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Sony HX30V

 P520 HX30V 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon P520 features exterior measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") along with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Nikon P520 versus Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the P520 compared to the HX30V.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the P520 and HX30V is 66 and 90 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing specifications. The pic below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the P520 and HX30V.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you should expect comparable quality of images however you need to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more recent P520 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
41
focusing manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Nikon P520 Street photography details
Sony HX30V Street photography details
51
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others in class (550g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 Sports photography info
Sony HX30V Sports photography info
46
long zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon P520
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
57
good resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (1000mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
heavier than others in class (550g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Nikon P520 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX30V Landscape photography factors
46
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
50
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging factors
Sony HX30V Vlogging factors
57
quite wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of external mic support
heavier than others in class (550g)
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (254g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Sony HX30V
 Nikon Coolpix P520Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix P520 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-29 2012-02-28
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 7.10 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550 gr (1.21 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 200 photos 320 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL5 NP-BG1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $380 $420