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Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1

Portability
50
Imaging
62
Features
81
Overall
69
Nikon D4 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D3S
  • Successor is Nikon D4s
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Released April 2009
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Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the D4 (16MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the D4 (Full frame) and HX1 (1/2.4") provide different sensor measurements.

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The D4 was launched 2 years later than the HX1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon D4 being a Large SLR camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the D4 matches up against the HX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Sony HX1

 D4 HX1 
ReleasedJanuary 2012April 2009Fresher by 33 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Nikon D4

 HX1 D4 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon D4 and Sony HX1

 D4 HX1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D4 provides exterior measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) while the Sony HX1 has sizing of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the D4 versus the HX1.

Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the D4 and HX1 is 50 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D4 and HX1.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D4 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon D4 will give extra detail utilizing its extra 7MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger D4 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D4
Portrait photography with Sony HX1
77
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
27
focusing manually
external flash not possible
MP count low (9MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon D4 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Street photography camera
56
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than average in class (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D4 Sports photography advice
Sony HX1 Sports photography advice
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
36
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count low (9MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D4 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Travel photography camera
59
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
48
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (544g)
MP count low (9MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D4 Landscape photography info
Sony HX1 Landscape photography info
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
39
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (9MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D4
Vlogging with Sony HX1
26
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
22
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1440 x 1080 resolution)
no microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (544g)
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Nikon D4 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D4 and Sony HX1
 Nikon D4Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D4 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Category Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-06 2009-04-22
Physical type Large SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3280 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 9
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 309 -
Crop factor 1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT color LCD with brightness control -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1440x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1340g (2.95 lb) 544g (1.20 lb)
Physical dimensions 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 89 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 2965 not tested
Other
Battery life 2600 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL18 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type CompactFlash, XQD Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Dual Single
Price at release $4,500 $47,999