Sony A7 II vs Sony HX300: In-Depth Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

When you’re standing at the crossroads of choosing a new camera, especially between two Sony models as different as the Sony A7 II and the Sony HX300, the decision can feel daunting. Having spent over 15 years putting cameras through their paces, I’m here to share the hands-on insights that will help you cut through the specs and marketing fluff. Let’s take a deep dive into these two very different machines - a full-frame mirrorless and a superzoom bridge camera - and see which might best support your photography ambitions.

Size, Handling & Ergonomics: Which Fits Your Grip?

From the get-go, the physical characteristics shape the shooting experience more than you might expect.

The Sony A7 II sports a classic SLR-style mirrorless body, designed for a serious enthusiast or pro user. It measures 127 x 96 x 60 mm and weighs around 599 grams. Its body is magnesium alloy, giving it a reassuring robustness and a solid grip that handles larger lenses well. Importantly, the A7 II offers a tilting 3-inch LCD and a high-resolution 2.35M-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) which is bright and detailed, crucial for composing in bright sunlight. The camera includes a well-thought-out button layout and dial clubs for your thumbs - not fancy but functional.

By contrast, the Sony HX300 is a bridge camera with a characteristic DSLR-like shape but a fixed lens. Physically, it’s chunkier – 130 x 103 x 93 mm and heavier at 623 grams. The bulk comes mainly from the hefty 50x zoom lens (24-1200mm equiv.), which is an anchor for versatility but also for heft. It has a smaller, lower resolution 921K-dot tilting LCD, and the EVF specs aren’t clearly detailed but it exists for framing.

Handling-wise, the HX300’s grip is decent for its class, but it feels less refined. Buttons are a bit more cramped, and the lack of customizable buttons and the absence of a touchscreen make navigating menus a slower process compared to the A7 II. Still, for a compact superzoom, it’s surprisingly manageable.

Ergonomics takeaway: If you’re used to DSLR or pro mirrorless handling, the A7 II is more comfortable and responsive in the field. The HX300’s bulkier size and bridge-style ergonomics suit casual travel or all-in-one zoom grab-and-go but might fatigue your hands in longer shoots.

Top Controls & Interface: Where Precision Meets Practicality

Looking down from above, you get a feel for the photographers’ playground - the balance of creative control versus simplicity.

The Sony A7 II features a clean top plate with dedicated dials for exposure compensation, shutter speed, and ISO, plus a mode dial with clear detents for switching between Manual, Aperture, Shutter priority, and Program. Customizable function buttons are spread pleasingly around for quick access. Its Bionz X processor ensures responsive real-time adjustments, and the viewfinder info overlays are sharp and informative.

The HX300’s top view is busier yet less logically arranged for quick changes. It includes a mode dial, zoom control, and dedicated buttons for flash and focus modes, but no customizable physical buttons. The absence of an exposure compensation dial means you sometimes have to dive into menus to tweak settings, slowing down your shooting workflow.

From my experience, when you start shooting fast-moving subjects or need quick adjustments in tricky light, the A7 II’s physical dials beat the HX300’s button-plus-menu system hands down.

Sensor Size & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s where the gap is monumental and central to assessing what you want.

The Sony A7 II sports a full-frame 24MP sensor measuring 35.8 x 23.9 mm, with an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré and the BSI-CMOS architecture for balanced readout speed and image fidelity. Full-frame means superior image quality with larger pixels, better low light, dynamic range, and depth of field control - attributes critical for professionals and serious enthusiasts. The camera’s DxOMark scores back this up with an overall 90, color depth near 25 bits, and a wide dynamic range of 13.6 EV stops.

On the flip side, the HX300 relies on a much smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring just 6.16 x 4.62 mm. Though packing 20MP, that sensor just can’t compete in terms of raw image quality, dynamic range, or noise performance. It peaks at ISO 12800 but expect usable images only up to around ISO 800 under most conditions due to the tiny pixel pitch and noise amplification.

In real-world shooting, the A7 II’s full-frame sensor delivers punchy colors, clean shadows with ample detail, and exceptional skin tone rendition - vital for portrait and studio work. The HX300 can suffice for snapshots and daylight telephoto shots but will disappoint in low light or if you want detail-rich prints.

LCD Screens and Live View Experience

Both cameras have tilting 3-inch LCDs but with different quality and resolution.

The A7 II’s 1.2 million-dot LCD is crisp enough for checking focus and reviewing images on the fly, though it lacks touchscreen support - a mild annoyance in 2024, but the physical buttons help make up for it. The HX300’s screen clocks in at just 921k dots, so less detailed, and combined with the lower quality EVF, it’s less comfortable for manual focus or framing fine details.

Neither has a selfie-friendly flip-out, but the A7 II’s screen tilts for easy waist-level shots or overhead compositions, a plus for macro and candid shooting.

Autofocus & Burst: Speed Matters in Action

The A7 II employs a hybrid system combining 117 phase-detection points with contrast detection, which leads to speedy, accurate focusing across the frame, including face and eye detection. While it lacks animal eye AF or the newer real-time tracking of successors, it’s still competent for portraits, street, and moderate wildlife shooting.

The HX300 features a simpler contrast-detection system with just 9 AF points and no face or eye detection. It’s slower and less reliable in low contrast or low light, often hunting before locking focus. Burst shooting is 5fps for A7 II compared to 10fps for HX300, but the HX300’s buffer and processing are limited - expect slowdowns.

Autofocus performance in the field: The A7 II outshines the HX300 for tracking sports and fast wildlife by a wide margin. The HX300’s focusing is more for stills or slow-moving subjects.

What About Lenses? Ecosystem and Versatility

The A7 II features the Sony E-mount, compatible with over 120 native lenses ranging from affordable primes to high-end G Masters and third-party glass (Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss). This ecosystem is a massive selling point - whether you want buttery wide apertures for portraits or super sharp telephoto lenses for wildlife, the choice is there.

The HX300’s fixed zoom lens covers a staggering 24-1200mm equivalent range (50x zoom), with a variable aperture of f/2.8-f/6.3. It’s a jack of all trades for travel photography but can’t compete optically with dedicated lenses on the A7 II. Also, because the lens is fixed, you’re stuck with the limitations: no macro lenses, no specialized wide-angle or fast primes.

Build Quality & Weather Sealing

Sony has given the A7 II environmental sealing - it resists dust and moisture better than expected from a mirrorless model of its generation. Despite that, it’s not fully weatherproof, but you can shoot in light rain with caution. The magnesium body adds durability.

The HX300, designed primarily as a superzoom for casual users, lacks weather sealing. Its plastic shell and parts mean it’s vulnerable to harsh environments and rough handling.

Battery Life & Storage: Practicalities on the Road

The A7 II uses the NP-FW50 battery, rated at around 350 shots per charge using the viewfinder (closer to 400+ with economy tricks). This is average but definitely showing its age compared to rivals. Still, it’s sufficient for a day’s shoot if you carry spares.

The HX300’s official battery capacity is less clear, but reports and experience place it lower than mirrorless cameras, partly because the EVF and zoom motor draw power. It uses a fixed proprietary battery (NP-FH50), and expect fewer clicks per charge.

Both support single SD card slots, with the A7 II also accepting Memory Stick Duo formats - a nice retro touch but mostly irrelevant now.

Connectivity Features

The A7 II has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing easy image transfers to smartphones and quick remote control via the Sony app, much appreciated by Instagrammers and content creators.

The HX300 has no wireless connectivity options - something to keep in mind if you like wireless workflows.

Video Capabilities: For Hybrid Shooters

The A7 II records Full HD 1080p video up to 60fps with Sony’s XAVC S codec, providing solid quality and manual controls over exposure, focus, and audio input via mic and headphone jacks - essential for serious videographers.

The HX300 also offers Full HD at 60fps but lacks audio input jacks and advanced codecs. It’s fine for casual video recording but not a tool for those looking to shoot cinematic or professional video.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Who Wins Where?

Let’s break down these cameras by genre and shooting style, integrating hands-on results, technicalities, and user experience.

Portrait Photography

• Sony A7 II: Full-frame sensor and 5-axis IBIS produce creamy backgrounds and sharp, detailed skin tones. Face and eye detection AF help nail focus. Perfect for studio and natural light portraits.
• HX300: Limited by sensor size and no eye-detection AF. Background blur weak due to small sensor and lens aperture range. Suitable only for casual family snapshots.

Landscape Photography

• A7 II: Excellent dynamic range for shadow recovery; shoot in raw to maximize detail. The sensor resolution lets you crop creatively or push large prints. Weather sealing adds confidence in outdoor conditions.
• HX300: Decent resolution for prints up to 8x10, but limited dynamic range and smaller sensor result in noise and clipped highlights under contrasty skies.

Wildlife Photography

• A7 II: The hybrid AF system locks focus on animals reasonably well, especially with telephoto lenses. 5 fps burst is acceptable for moderate action.
• HX300: The 50x zoom lens is tempting, but AF speed and accuracy limit success. Burst rate is faster but with more shot lag.

Sports Photography

• A7 II: Solid autofocus tracking, manual settings, and good handling make this a capable sports shooter at moderate speed.
• HX300: Slow AF and less predictable exposure hold it back.

Street Photography

• A7 II: Relatively compact for a full-frame camera, with silent shutter mode (somewhat limited). Discreetness improves with small primes.
• HX300: Bulky lens and prominent zoom barrel reduce stealth - the camera screams "tourist."

Macro Photography

• A7 II: No built-in macro mode but supports dedicated macro lenses and benefits from stabilization for close-ups.
• HX300: Limited to lens’s minimum focusing distance with no real macro capability.

Night & Astrophotography

• A7 II: Wide native ISO range, clean high-ISO images, and manual exposure make it ideal.
• HX300: Image noise dominates; ISO flexibility is limited.

Video

• A7 II: Superior quality with external mic/headphone, manual controls, IBIS.
• HX300: Basic, good for casual video only.

Travel Photography

• A7 II: Tradeoff between size/battery and image quality; great with versatile lenses.
• HX300: All-in-one zoom appeals to travelers wanting to pack light.

Professional Work

• A7 II: Supports raw, tethering (via software), decent handling for professional workflows.
• HX300: Lacks raw, limited connectivity - not suited for professional use.

Scores in Summary: Visualizing the Verdict

Sample Images Tell the Story Best

Looking at side-by-side sample photos under controlled conditions, the A7 II delivers sharper, cleaner, and more detailed images across the board - especially notable in low light and texture-heavy scenes. The HX300 still produces respectable daylight snaps and impressive reach given the 50x zoom but lacks the tonal richness and noise control of its bigger sibling.

Sony A7 II front Sony A7 II screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back

Price and Value: How Much Bang for Your Buck?

At typical retail prices, the A7 II sits around $1450, while the HX300 is at a budget-friendly ~$340, a massive price gap.

Which camera you pick is weighted heavily by budget and your photography goals:

• If image quality, professional use, and future-proofing matter, the A7 II’s price is justified by the sensor size, lens ecosystem, and build.
• For cheapskates or those needing a simple all-in-one zoom to capture holidays and casual snaps, the HX300 serves well without breaking the bank.

Real-World Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Sony A7 II if you:

• Want pro-level image quality without stepping up to the newest models
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, weddings, or professional assignments
• Will invest in lenses and need robust low-light performance
• Desire manual control, customizability, and good video specs
• Can accommodate a slightly larger body and moderate battery life

Pick the Sony HX300 if you:

• Are hobbyist or beginner wanting a superzoom bridge for travel and casual shooting
• Need a flexible focal range from wide-angle to extreme telephoto without lens changes
• Prefer a point-and-shoot style with manual options but no lens investment
• Have a tight budget and occasional photography needs
• Don’t require raw files or professional-grade video

Final Thoughts: Balance Your Priorities

No camera is perfect, and the Sony A7 II and HX300 illustrate this beautifully - a tale of two extremes wrapped in one brand. The A7 II feels like a gateway to full-frame photography with room to grow into professional realms, while the HX300 offers convenient versatility and zoom reach in a single compact package. Your choice boils down to whether you prioritize supreme image quality and system expandability or all-in-one simplicity for travel and casual use.

Hopefully, these insights help you see beyond numbers and marketing. Whichever you opt for, both will put you behind the lens and closer to capturing what matters most.

If you want to dive deeper into any specific use case or technical aspect, feel free to ask - after thousands of cameras, there's always something new to share!