Nikon S100 vs Sony HX5
94 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon S100 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
- Launched August 2011
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Introduced June 2010

Nikon S100 vs Sony HX5 Overview
Following is a complete comparison of the Nikon S100 and Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the S100 (16MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the S100 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") enjoy different sensor sizes.

The S100 was brought out 15 months after the HX5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the S100 grades against the HX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon S100 vs Sony HX5 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon S100 Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Sony HX5
S100 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 15 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 820k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+590k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Nikon S100
HX5 | S100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S100 and Sony HX5
S100 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Nikon S100 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Nikon S100 provides external dimensions of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
See the Nikon S100 and Sony HX5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the S100 versus the HX5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S100 and HX5 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S100 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The picture below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S100 and HX5.
As you have seen, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S100 because of its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Nikon S100 will show greater detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The newer S100 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S100 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S100 vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S100 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S100 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-08-24 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed C2 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3456 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3.5" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 820 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | Organic LED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 175 grams (0.39 pounds) | 200 grams (0.44 pounds) |
Dimensions | 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 | 150 pictures | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $240 | $275 |