Sony A200 vs Sony HX300

Below is a thorough analysis of the Sony A200 and Sony HX300, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the A200 (10MP) and HX300 (20MP) and the A200 (APS-C) and HX300 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The A200 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the HX300 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A200 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the A200 scores versus the HX300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300. The entire galleries are viewable at Sony A200 Gallery and Sony HX300 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A200 provides outside dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 2.8") and a weight of 572 grams (1.26 lbs) and the Sony HX300 has dimensions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

See the Sony A200 and Sony HX300 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the A200 against the HX300.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the A200 and HX300 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A200 and HX300.

As you can see, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A200 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony HX300 will show greater detail due to its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older A200 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.