Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99
90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26


91 Imaging
45 Features
67 Overall
53
Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 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
- Launched February 2012
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
- 3.00" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Introduced September 2018

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Overview
Here is a extended review of the Nikon S30 versus Sony HX99, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and HX99 (18MP) and the S30 (1/3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) feature totally different sensor measurements.

The S30 was brought out 7 years prior to the HX99 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the S30 grades vs the HX99 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S30 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon S30 Gallery & Sony HX99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Sony HX99
S30 | HX99 |
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Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Nikon S30
HX99 | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2018 | ![]() | February 2012 | Fresher by 80 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3.00" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon S30 and Sony HX99
S30 | HX99 |
---|
Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon S30 features outer dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony HX99 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).
Look at the Nikon S30 versus Sony HX99 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the S30 against the HX99.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S30 and HX99 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S30 and HX99.
As you can see, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S30 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony HX99 will provide more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older S30 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix S30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2012-02-01 | 2018-09-01 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/3" | 1/2.3-inch |
Sensor measurements | 4.8 x 3.6mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 17.3mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4896 x 3672 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 29-87mm (3.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 7.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | 3.00" |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | TFT-LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 638 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.5x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.5 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 214 grams (0.47 lb) | 242 grams (0.53 lb) |
Dimensions | 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 240 shots | 360 shots |
Type of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $119 | $469 |