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Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Replaced the Sony A9
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
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Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Sony A9 II and Sony HX30V, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the A9 II (24MP) and HX30V (18MP) and the A9 II (Full frame) and HX30V (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The A9 II was revealed 7 years later than the HX30V and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A9 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the A9 II grades vs the HX30V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Sony HX30V

 A9 II HX30V 
LaunchedOctober 2019February 2012Fresher by 93 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k922kCrisper screen (+518k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony A9 II

 HX30V A9 II 

Common features in the Sony A9 II and Sony HX30V

 A9 II HX30V 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A9 II has outer measurements of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

See the Sony A9 II and Sony HX30V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the A9 II and the HX30V.

Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A9 II and HX30V is 62 and 90 respectively.

Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by seeing technical specs. The graphic here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A9 II and HX30V.

As you have seen, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A9 II having a bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Sony A9 II will provide greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher A9 II will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
85
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
45
focusing manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 II Street photography details
Sony HX30V Street photography details
78
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 II Sports photography information
Sony HX30V Sports photography information
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high max fps (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery power (690 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A9 II
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
73
good battery power (690 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
good resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 II Landscape photography details
Sony HX30V Landscape photography details
86
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery power (690 CIPA)
has double storage slots
50
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A9 II
Vlogging with Sony HX30V
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of external mic support
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Sony A9 II vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 II and Sony HX30V
 Sony Alpha A9 Mark IISony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Mark II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2019-10-03 2012-02-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip BIONZ X BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,440 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.10 m
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678 gr (1.49 pounds) 254 gr (0.56 pounds)
Physical dimensions 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 690 images 320 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual Single
Retail cost $4,498 $420