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Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon S9500
  • Replacement is Nikon S9900
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX20V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX50V
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Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S9700 was manufactured 24 months later than the HX30V making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the S9700 grades against the HX30V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Sony HX30V

 S9700 HX30V 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014February 2012Fresher by 24 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Nikon S9700

 HX30V S9700 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Sony HX30V

 S9700 HX30V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon S9700 has physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S9700 vs the HX30V.

Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S9700 and HX30V is 90 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The visual underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9700 and HX30V.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sony HX30V to offer more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher S9700 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S9700
Portrait photography with Sony HX30V
37
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9700 Street photography details
Sony HX30V Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9700
Sports photography with Sony HX30V
53
long zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (750mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
69
lighter than competition (254g)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9700 Landscape photography details
Sony HX30V Landscape photography details
45
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
50
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
34
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.7)
does not have selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Sony HX30V
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S9700 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-02-07 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-750mm (30.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 232g (0.51 lb) 254g (0.56 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" 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 300 pictures 320 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $350 $420