Clicky

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX200V
  • Updated by Sony HX400V
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon Z50 and Sony HX300, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the Z50 (APS-C) and HX300 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The Z50 was introduced 6 years later than the HX300 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a simple view of how the Z50 grades versus the HX300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony HX300

 Z50 HX300 
RevealedOctober 2019February 2013Fresher by 81 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Nikon Z50

 HX300 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony HX300

 Z50 HX300 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 features outside dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Sony HX300 has measurements of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z50 and Sony HX300 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the Z50 compared to the HX300.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and HX300 is 74 and 63 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at specs. The visual here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and HX300.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z50 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon Z50 will give more detail using its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern Z50 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX300 Portrait photography highlights
80
has manual focus
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
42
manual focus
good MP (20MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Sony HX300
73
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than others in class (623 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography info
Sony HX300 Sports photography info
75
MP count decent (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
55
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
has tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography info
Sony HX300 Travel photography info
77
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
MP count decent (21MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
54
good MP (20MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (623 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
MP count decent (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
48
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging advice
Sony HX300 Vlogging advice
71
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
25
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (623 grams)
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony HX300
 Nikon Z50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2019-10-10 2013-02-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 209 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Total lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 grams (0.88 pounds) 623 grams (1.37 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos -
Style of battery Built-in -
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) -
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $857 $339