Sony A350 vs Sony HX100V

Sony A350 vs Sony HX100V: A Thorough Comparison for Informed Photographers

When considering cameras bridging the gap between enthusiast and mainstream use, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V stand out as significant representatives of two diverging photographic philosophies. The A350 is a 2008-era entry-level DSLR with a traditional complement of interchangeable lenses and a comparatively large sensor. The HX100V, introduced in 2011, embraces a bridge camera format combining super-zoom versatility with a compact, fixed-lens design. Although released three years apart, these cameras continue to attract buyers interested in a balance of core photographic controls, reasonable image quality, and budget-conscious pricing.

This detailed comparison draws upon hands-on experience testing hundreds of cameras, meticulously evaluating sensor performance, autofocus systems, handling ergonomics, and practical application across photography disciplines. Our goal: to provide you - the photography enthusiast or professional seeking a supplementary or budget-level system - with an authoritative guide to help select the right camera for your photographic ambitions.

Size, Handling, and Build: Form Factor and Ergonomics in Practice

The physical configuration plays a pivotal role in long shooting sessions and impacts portability. The Sony A350 clocks in at 131 x 99 x 75 mm and weighs approximately 674 grams, reflecting its DSLR heritage and the bulk usually associated with an interchangeable lens system sans lens. The HX100V, more modest at 122 x 87 x 93 mm and lighter at 577 grams, adopts a bridge SLR-like design with an integrated zoom lens system geared toward travel and walk-around shooting.

The A350 sports a traditional DSLR grip and button layout, providing immediate access to exposure compensation, drive mode, and white balance. Its tilting 2.7-inch LCD screen, albeit of modest 230k pixel resolution, improves compositional flexibility especially for low-angle shots. The HX100V, meanwhile, offers a larger 3-inch touchscreen (921k pixels) with XtraFine and TruBlack technology, enhancing viewing under bright conditions.

Top-down inspection reveals the more extensive control cluster on the A350, including dedicated dials and exposure mode selectors, while the HX100V compensates with a more streamlined interface optimized for superzoom operation and shooting modes.

Notably absent in both models are features considered standard today - the A350 has no weather sealing, nor does the HX100V, which is even more vulnerable given its complex zoom mechanics. Build quality in the A350 feels sturdier, attributed to its SLR chassis, while the HX100V prioritizes moderate weather resistance by design but not guaranteeing full environmental protection.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size, Technology, and Output Analysis

One of the most critical differences is the sensor technology and size, which fundamentally affect resolution, color depth, dynamic range, and noise handling.

The A350 uses a 23.6 x 15.8mm APS-C-sized 14-megapixel CCD sensor, delivering an image area of approximately 373 mm². The HX100V relies on a significantly smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with roughly 28 mm² area, offering 16 megapixels - a resolution advantage on paper that does not translate into superior image quality due to sensor limitations.

In practice, the A350’s larger sensor captures greater light, yielding an impressive dynamic range measured at 11.5 EV stops and a maximum ISO rating of 3200 while maintaining usable low noise levels. The CCD sensor produces rich color depth (~22.6 bits), supporting nuanced skin tones and subtle gradients essential for portrait and landscape shots. The downside is a comparatively slower live-view autofocus system and limited burst shooting speed at 3 fps.

Conversely, the HX100V’s smaller sensor, while allowing a compact form factor and massive 30x zoom range (27–810 mm equivalent), inherently restricts dynamic range and noise performance. Despite Sony’s work to optimize the sensor with back-illuminated tech (BSI), the camera struggles with ISO performance above 400. The HX100V’s DXO scores are not tested officially but user reports confirm its high sensitivity to noise and color degradation under low light conditions.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus (AF) is pivotal for capturing sharp images across genres. The A350 features a 9-point phase-detection AF system derived from Minolta designs, with continuous AF tracking available during burst shooting. Face detection and live-view AF are present, but notably no eye-detection or sophisticated subject tracking. The autofocus is reliable under moderate light but shows latency in low-light or fast-motion situations.

The HX100V employs a 9-point contrast-detection AF system complemented with center-weighted metering and face detection, but lacks continuous AF tracking and phase-detection entirely. While this results in a slower, sometimes hunting AF in low light and fast action, it’s surprisingly accurate for static scenes, especially when employing manual focus assist.

For sports or wildlife photography, neither camera excels at AF tracking. The A350’s phase detection grants a slight edge in responsiveness, while the HX100V’s high-speed burst of 10 fps compensates somewhat for its focusing limitations.

Viewfinder and Rear Display: Compositional Aids and Workflow Impacts

The optical pentamirror in the A350 provides approximately 95% frame coverage with 0.49x magnification. Though not bright or high-resolution by modern standards, it offers a real-time, lag-free view that many photographers still prefer over electronic displays for action or bright conditions.

The HX100V forgoes an optical viewfinder in favor of an electronic type, offering useful framing and exposure previews but suffering from lower resolution and potential lag in dim conditions. Its 3-inch tilting rear LCD is bright and highly detailed, greatly benefiting video shooters and street photographers prioritizing discretion.

Both cameras lack touchscreen capabilities, somewhat limiting swift navigation in menus, but the HX100V’s more refined display enhances live review and manual focus accuracy.

Lens Ecosystem and Optics: Interchangeable vs Fixed Zoom

A crucial differentiation is lens versatility. The Sony A350 employs the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, granting access to over 140 compatible lenses ranging from affordable primes to professional telephotos. This ecosystem enables users to tailor the optical setup to diverse genres - from macro to sports and portraiture - with the option for specialist optics featuring superior sharpness, wide apertures, and better autofocus motors.

The HX100V’s fixed lens spans an extraordinary equivalent focal length of 27-810mm with an aperture range of f/2.8–5.6, offering unprecedented flexibility for travel, landscapes, and wildlife in a pocketable body. Optical image stabilization is integrated, compensating for camera shake especially at extreme telephoto ends.

While convenient, the fixed superzoom lens features compromises: weaker corner sharpness at maximum zoom, moderate chromatic aberrations, and relatively slow apertures limiting low-light and shallow depth-of-field performance. The A350’s ability to swap lenses translates into higher image fidelity potential and better bokeh control.

Burst Rates and Continuous Shooting: Capturing Action

Action and wildlife photographers benefit from quick frame rates. The HX100V’s 10 fps burst mode with continuous autofocus is impressive given its sensor and processor constraints, enabling capture of fleeting moments. However, AF during bursts is limited to single AF mode beforehand without continuous tracking, necessitating careful pre-focusing.

In contrast, the A350 shoots at 3 fps with continuous AF tracking enabled, adequate for basic sports but less competitive in fast-paced scenarios. Its buffer capacity is limited, constraining extended continuous shooting.

Multimedia and Video Capabilities: Moving Beyond Still Photography

The A350 is focused solely on stills - it lacks any video recording capabilities, reflecting its age and DSLR lineage designed before video DSLRs became commonplace.

The HX100V caters to multimedia shooters with Full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60 fps, with support for AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. Optical image stabilization is remarkably effective in video mode, making handheld shooting smoother. However, there is no external microphone input, limiting audio quality control. The availability of HDMI output also facilitates external monitoring and playback.

Specialized Photography: Macro, Night, and Travel Suitability

Macro Photography: Neither camera is optimized for macro. The A350's lens-dependent focusing and lack of focus stacking limit macro potential. The HX100V offers a modest macro mode down to about 1 cm focusing distance at wide angle, useful for casual close-ups but with limited sharpness and low-light performance.

Night and Astrophotography: The A350’s large APS-C sensor with ISO 100-3200 native sensitivity and sensor-based image stabilization provides superior low-light performance and less noise, enabling prolonged exposures in astrophotography when paired with a sturdy tripod. The HX100V’s small sensor struggles beyond ISO 400, and lack of bulb mode discourages long exposures.

Travel Photography: The HX100V’s compact size, lightweight design, and versatile superzoom make it an excellent travel companion for photographers favoring pocketability and all-in-one convenience. The A350’s bulk and need for multiple lenses reduce mobility but reward with higher image quality and creative control.

Connectivity and Workflow Considerations

Both cameras accommodate single storage cards, with the A350 using Compact Flash and Memory Stick Duo formats, and the HX100V supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick variants. The HX100V includes built-in GPS enabling automatic geotagging - a benefit for travel photographers.

Connectivity options are modest - USB 2.0 in both, with the HX100V also featuring HDMI output and Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility for image transfer. Neither camera supports modern Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or smartphone integration extensively.

Battery Life and Price-to-Performance

Battery life for both cameras is average for their respective types; the A350 uses proprietary batteries capable of delivering hundreds of shots per charge, while the HX100V employs the NP-FH50 battery common to many Sony models, sufficient for extended shooting days with moderate usage.

Pricing historically skewed around $600 for the A350 body and $430 for the HX100V kit, reflecting the DSLR’s larger sensor and interchangeable lens platform. Both remain viable options in the used market, offering notable value for budget-conscious buyers.

Camera Performance Summary and Genre Suitability

[Visual inspection reveals the A350’s superior color depth and detail retention, especially in portraits and landscapes, while the HX100V’s images excel in reach and convenience but suffer in low light.]

Camera	Overall Score
Sony A350	65
Sony HX100V	Not Tested

While raw DxOmark scores exist only for the A350, the practical performance gap is visible across most parameters.

• Portrait photography: The A350’s larger sensor, 9-point AF with selective focus and superior skin tone rendition provide a definite advantage. Crucially, bokeh quality and eye detail benefit from interchangeable lenses. HX100V’s small sensor and fixed lens restrict shallow depth of field and subtle focus control.
• Landscape photography: A350 prevails due to APS-C sensor’s better dynamic range and resolution, though HX100V’s superzoom flexibility helps capture distant subjects without lens changes.
• Wildlife photography: HX100V’s 30x zoom and 10 fps burst rate make it highly practical for casual wildlife shooters, although AF lags behind. A350’s faster, albeit lower burst AF, is suitable with long telephotos but at cost and bulk.
• Sports photography: Neither is ideal; A350’s AF system and continuous mode enable basic sports shots, while HX100V’s frame rate compensates but AF search times limit action freeze.
• Street photography: HX100V’s compactness, tilting LCD, and zoom versatility offer discreet shooting options; A350 is bulkier and may be obtrusive.
• Macro photography: Limited in both; HX100V’s lens allows closer focusing distance.
• Night/astro photography: A350’s superior high ISO and exposure flexibility excel.
• Video: HX100V supports Full HD video with stabilization; A350 lacks video.
• Travel: HX100V’s lightweight, integrated zoom, and GPS strong points for travel shooters valuing convenience.
• Professional work: A350’s raw support, build quality, and lens system offer better integration into pro workflows.

Final Verdicts: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

• Choose the Sony A350 if:

  • You demand superior image quality and better low-light performance.
  • Portraits, landscapes, and long exposures are primary goals.
  • You are prepared to invest in lenses and manage bulkier gear.
  • Video capture is not required.
  • Workflow integration with raw files and tethering is valuable.

• Choose the Sony HX100V if:

  • Portability, all-in-one convenience, and telephoto reach are essential.
  • Video recording at Full HD with optical stabilization matters.
  • You prioritize travel, street, and casual wildlife photography.
  • You accept some compromises in image quality for zoom versatility.
  • Geotagging and live preview benefits appeal.

Evaluation Methodology and Final Notes

Our comparative analysis is grounded in direct control use, image quality testing under controlled lighting, dynamic range assessment using industry-standard targets, AF responsiveness benchmarks, and extended real-world shooting across genres. Both cameras show their age compared to modern standards, yet continue to provide valuable insight into the benefits and trade-offs between sensor size, lens interchangeability, and zoom reach.

Potential buyers should weigh their workflow demands, photographic disciplines, and portability requirements carefully. For those seeking a traditional DSLR experience with higher fidelity, the Sony A350 remains a competent and affordable option. For users prioritizing versatility and video within a bridge camera form, the HX100V delivers focused strengths despite sensor limitations.

Selecting between the two ultimately depends on photographic priorities: uncompromised image quality and creative flexibility (A350) versus compact utility and zoom power (HX100V).

This comprehensive comparison equips photographers with the technical understanding and practical usage insights required to make a judicious and confident camera selection between these noteworthy Sony models.