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Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs

Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
  • Released September 2010
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
Photography Glossary

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S8100 (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is fairly close but the S8100 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") have totally different sensor size.

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The S8100 was introduced 3 months after the HX5 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the S8100 scores versus the HX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Sony HX5

 S8100 HX5 
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Nikon S8100

 HX5 S8100 

Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Sony HX5

 S8100 HX5 
LaunchedSeptember 2010June 2010Same age
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S8100 enjoys external measurements of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the S8100 and the HX5.

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S8100 and HX5 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The image below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S8100 and HX5.

All in all, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S8100 using its larger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Nikon S8100 will result in greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos more aggressively.

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S8100 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX5 Portrait photography factors
26
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S8100 Street photography details
Sony HX5 Street photography details
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
55
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S8100 Sports photography information
Sony HX5 Sports photography information
38
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
26
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S8100 Travel photography advice
Sony HX5 Travel photography advice
55
built-in flash
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
60
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S8100 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Landscape photography camera
32
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 Vlogging details
Sony HX5 Vlogging details
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
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Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S8100 and Sony HX5
 Nikon Coolpix S8100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S8100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-09-08 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 160 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-300mm (10.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
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 speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 180 gr (0.40 lbs) 200 gr (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 220 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $299 $275