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Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Key Specs

Nikon S30
(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
Sony HX7V
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Sony HX7V

 S30 HX7V 
LaunchedFebruary 2012July 2011Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Nikon S30

 HX7V S30 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Sony HX7V

 S30 HX7V 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

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

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S30
Portrait photography with Sony HX7V
24
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
no RAW format
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 Street photography factors
Sony HX7V Street photography factors
51
environment proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/3")
no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (214g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 Sports photography factors
Sony HX7V Sports photography factors
28
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
no phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Travel photography camera
52
environment proof
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (214 grams)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
67
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S30
Landscape photography with Sony HX7V
25
environment proof
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor (1/3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging features
Sony HX7V Vlogging features
23
supports face detect focusing
wide angle not good (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (214g)
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon S30 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Sony HX7V
 Nikon Coolpix S30Sony 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