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Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99

Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 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
  • Launched February 2012
Sony HX99
(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
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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.

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Sony HX99

 S30 HX99 

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Nikon S30

 HX99 S30 
IntroducedSeptember 2018February 2012Fresher by 80 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.00"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 size comparison

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

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX99 Portrait photography highlights
24
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/3")
lacks RAW files
53
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 Street photography details
Sony HX99 Street photography details
51
weather sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competitors (214g)
77
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization
supports RAW files
lighter than others (242g)
sensor size is small (1/2.3-inch)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 Sports photography features
Sony HX99 Sports photography features
28
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
58
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
good battery pack (360 shots)
sensor size is small (1/2.3-inch)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 Travel photography information
Sony HX99 Travel photography information
52
weather sealing
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (214g)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
76
good battery pack (360 CIPA)
lighter than others (242g)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography features
Sony HX99 Landscape photography features
25
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
58
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3.00 inches)
built in image stabilization
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (360 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3-inch)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX99 as a Vlogging camera
23
provides face detection focus
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competitors (214g)
76
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others (242g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have microphone jack
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Nikon S30 vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Sony HX99
 Nikon Coolpix S30Sony 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