Clicky

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
96
Imaging
44
Features
29
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S3600 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Nikon S3600
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 58 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2014
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX20V
  • Updated by Sony HX50V
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Nikon S3600 versus Sony HX30V, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S3600 (20MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

The S3600 was unveiled 23 months after the HX30V which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the S3600 matches up vs the HX30V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S3600 over the Sony HX30V

 S3600 HX30V 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2012Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Nikon S3600

 HX30V S3600 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S3600 and Sony HX30V

 S3600 HX30V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon S3600 features exterior dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S3600 versus Sony HX30V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the S3600 against the HX30V.

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S3600 and HX30V is 96 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through specs. The picture here will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3600 and HX30V.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Nikon S3600 to show extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer S3600 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3600 Portrait photography info
Sony HX30V Portrait photography info
37
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
44
you can focus manually
decent MP (18MP)
supports face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Nikon S3600 Street photography advice
Sony HX30V Street photography advice
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Nikon S3600 Sports photography details
Sony HX30V Sports photography details
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Nikon S3600 Travel photography information
Sony HX30V Travel photography information
70
lighter than competitors (125g)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
69
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
decent MP (18MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3600 Landscape photography information
Sony HX30V Landscape photography information
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
50
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S3600 Vlogging features
Sony HX30V Vlogging features
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon S3600 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3600 and Sony HX30V
 Nikon Coolpix S3600Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S3600 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-01-07 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.7-6.6 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 7.10 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280x720p (30fps) , 1280x720 (25p), 640x480 (30fps ) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125g (0.28 lbs) 254g (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 230 photographs 320 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $200 $420