Clicky

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2019
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
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX20V
  • New Model is Sony HX50V
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is very close but the Z50 (APS-C) and HX30V (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The Z50 was manufactured 7 years later than the HX30V and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the Z50 matches up against the HX30V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony HX30V

 Z50 HX30V 
RevealedOctober 2019February 2012More recent by 93 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k922kCrisper display (+118k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Nikon Z50

 HX30V Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony HX30V

 Z50 HX30V 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon Z50 provides outer dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Sony HX30V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the Z50 and the HX30V.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and HX30V is 74 and 90 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by researching technical specs. The graphic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and HX30V.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Z50 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon Z50 will render greater detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern Z50 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography details
Sony HX30V Portrait photography details
80
manual focus
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
45
you can focus manually
decent MP (18 megapixels)
features face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography features
Sony HX30V Street photography features
73
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
has touch to focus
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX30V Sports photography highlights
75
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography advice
Sony HX30V Travel photography advice
77
environment sealing
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
good MP (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competition (397 grams)
69
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
decent MP (18MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Landscape photography camera
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
no image stabilization
50
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Sony HX30V
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
provides face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic socket
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony HX30V
 Nikon Z50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2019-10-10 2012-02-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 209 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 15 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.10 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 grams (0.88 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 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 320 shots 320 shots
Battery type Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $857 $420