Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V
90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26


92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
- Announced February 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Launched July 2011

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Overview
On this page, we will be analyzing the Nikon S30 versus Sony HX7V, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and HX7V (16MP) and the S30 (1/3") and HX7V (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

The S30 was unveiled 7 months later than the HX7V which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the S30 matches up vs the HX7V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S30 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon S30 Gallery and Sony HX7V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Sony HX7V
S30 | HX7V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | Fresher by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Nikon S30
HX7V | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon S30 and Sony HX7V
S30 | HX7V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon S30 has external measurements of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Sony HX7V has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
Compare the Nikon S30 versus Sony HX7V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the S30 and the HX7V.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S30 and HX7V is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through specs. The photograph below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S30 and HX7V.
All in all, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S30 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony HX7V will render more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more recent S30 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2012-02-01 | 2011-07-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 4.8 x 3.6mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 17.3mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 29-87mm (3.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 7.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT-LCD | XtraFine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.5 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 4.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 214g (0.47 lbs) | 208g (0.46 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") | 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 | 240 photos | - |
Type of battery | AA | - |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $119 | $499 |