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Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Successor is Sony A9 II
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
  • Announced February 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX20V
  • Later Model is Sony HX50V
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Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Sony A9 versus Sony HX30V, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are manufactured by Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the A9 (24MP) and HX30V (18MP) and the A9 (Full frame) and HX30V (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The A9 was revealed 5 years later than the HX30V and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the A9 matches up against the HX30V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony HX30V

 A9 HX30V 
AnnouncedApril 2017February 2012More recent by 63 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k922kSharper screen (+518k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony A9

 HX30V A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony HX30V

 A9 HX30V 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A9 provides exterior dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Sony A9 versus Sony HX30V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the A9 compared to the HX30V.

Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A9 and HX30V is 65 and 90 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A9 and HX30V.

To sum up, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A9 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Sony A9 will offer greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger A9 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 Portrait photography details
Sony HX30V Portrait photography details
83
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
45
has manual focus
good MP (18MP)
has face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Street photography camera
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 Sports photography factors
Sony HX30V Sports photography factors
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery pack (650 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A9
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
73
great battery pack (650 per charge)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
good MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A9
Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
85
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
has double storage slots
50
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 Vlogging details
Sony HX30V Vlogging details
36
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing mic jack
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Sony A9 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony HX30V
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2017-04-19 2012-02-28
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 24 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,440k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 20.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 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 file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 673g (1.48 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 92 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 3517 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 320 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail pricing $4,498 $420