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Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5

Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
23
Overall
30
Nikon Coolpix S32 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs

Nikon S32
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
  • Released February 2014
Sony HX5
(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
  • Launched June 2010
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Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the S32 (13MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the S32 (1/3") and HX5 (1/2.4") use different sensor dimensions.

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The S32 was introduced 3 years after the HX5 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S32 scores against the HX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Sony HX5

 S32 HX5 
LaunchedFebruary 2014June 2010More modern by 45 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Nikon S32

 HX5 S32 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S32 and Sony HX5

 S32 HX5 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S32 comes with exterior measurements of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the S32 and the HX5.

Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S32 and HX5 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S32 and HX5.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S32 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Nikon S32 will provide extra detail using its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The more recent S32 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S32 Portrait photography info
Sony HX5 Portrait photography info
33
decent megapixels (13MP)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/3")
no RAW support
19
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S32 Street photography information
Sony HX5 Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/3")
no RAW support
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon S32 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Sports photography camera
36
image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/3")
not so great battery (220 shots)
no phase detect AF
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S32 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX5 Travel photography highlights
58
weather sealing
decent megapixels (13MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery (220 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S32 Landscape photography info
Sony HX5 Landscape photography info
34
image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/3")
no RAW support
not so great battery (220 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
37
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S32 Vlogging factors
Sony HX5 Vlogging factors
30
image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
31
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
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Nikon S32 vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S32 and Sony HX5
 Nikon Coolpix S32Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S32 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-02-07 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4160 x 3120 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-90mm (3.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 3.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 175 gr (0.39 pounds) 200 gr (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 220 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL19 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $180 $275