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Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon S9300
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
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
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Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon S9100 versus Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the S9100 (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was released 7 months earlier than the HX30V and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the S9100 matches up against the HX30V for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Sony HX30V

 S9100 HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Nikon S9100

 HX30V S9100 
IntroducedFebruary 2012July 2011Newer by 7 months
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Sony HX30V

 S9100 HX30V 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S9100 comes with exterior measurements of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S9100 versus Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the S9100 and the HX30V.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S9100 and HX30V is 91 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The picture underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S9100 and HX30V.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony HX30V to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged S9100 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
32
focusing manually
provides face detection focusing
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
44
focusing manually
decent MP (18MP)
features face detection focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9100
Street photography with Sony HX30V
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 Sports photography details
Sony HX30V Sports photography details
36
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (270 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 Travel photography details
Sony HX30V Travel photography details
61
lighter than competition (214 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery (270 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
decent MP (18MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 Landscape photography details
Sony HX30V Landscape photography details
39
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (270 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
50
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9100 Vlogging info
Sony HX30V Vlogging info
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone port
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone support
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Nikon S9100 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Sony HX30V
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S9100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-19 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 4cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214g (0.47 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 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 270 pictures 320 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $329 $420