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Sony A7 vs Sony HX300

Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Refreshed by Sony A7 II
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Announced February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX200V
  • Updated by Sony HX400V
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Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Sony A7 vs Sony HX300, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A7 (24MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is fairly similar but the A7 (Full frame) and HX300 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The A7 was launched 12 months later than the HX300 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A7 grades against the HX300 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony HX300

 A7 HX300 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014February 2013Fresher by 12 months
Display resolution1230k921kCrisper display (+309k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Sony A7

 HX300 A7 

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony HX300

 A7 HX300 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7 features outside dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) while the Sony HX300 has dimensions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Examine the Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the A7 versus the HX300.

Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A7 and HX300 is 78 and 63 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7 and HX300.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A7 because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Sony A7 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent A7 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX300 Portrait photography highlights
82
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
42
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 Street photography details
Sony HX300 Street photography details
79
tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than competition (474g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competitors (623g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Sports photography camera
66
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (340 CIPA)
55
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A7
Travel photography with Sony HX300
69
lighter than competition (474 grams)
environment sealing
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
bad battery life (340 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
54
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (623 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A7
Landscape photography with Sony HX300
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (340 per charge)
48
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX300 Vlogging highlights
35
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
lighter than competition (474g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
25
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors (623 grams)
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Sony A7 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony HX300
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-01-22 2013-02-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 50 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 117 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Number of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes no built-in flash -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 474 gr (1.04 lb) 623 gr (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 90 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 2248 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) -
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo -
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $798 $339