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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300

Portability
66
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
45
Features
51
Overall
47

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Announced July 2014
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
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony HX200V
  • Replacement is Sony HX400V
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Pentax XG-1 and Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was announced 17 months after the HX300 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the XG-1 matches up versus the HX300 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony HX300

 XG-1 HX300 
IntroducedJuly 2014February 2013Newer by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Pentax XG-1

 HX300 XG-1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony HX300

 XG-1 HX300 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax XG-1 offers outside dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sony HX300 has proportions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Examine the Pentax XG-1 and Sony HX300 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the XG-1 vs the HX300.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and HX300 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and HX300.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sony HX300 to deliver more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern XG-1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Portrait photography camera
40
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
43
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography features
Sony HX300 Street photography features
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (623g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX300 Sports photography highlights
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (240 shots)
no phase detect AF
55
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Travel photography camera
52
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1248mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery (240 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (567g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (623g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography information
Sony HX300 Landscape photography information
45
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery (240 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
49
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX300 Vlogging highlights
25
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (567g)
25
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (623 grams)
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony HX300
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-07-15 2013-02-20
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m -
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567g (1.25 lb) 623g (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
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 240 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LB-060 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC -
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $599 $339