Sony A500 vs. HX200V: An In-Depth Comparison for Photographers of All Stripes

Choosing the right camera can be a perplexing task, especially when models hail from different categories - like Sony’s A500 DSLR and the HX200V superzoom bridge camera. Both carry Sony’s technological DNA, yet cater to distinct photographic priorities and users. Having spent extensive hands-on hours testing these two representative cameras, I’m here to help you sift through their specs, real-world performances, and overall value, crossing photography genres from portraits to wildlife, and everything in between.

Let’s dive into a thorough comparison highlighting sensor technology, autofocus performance, ergonomics, lens versatility, and more - equipped with sample images, technical data, and candid assessments. Whether you’re an enthusiast upgrading your gear or a professional seeking a versatile backup, this guide will clarify what each camera brings to your photography table.

First Impressions: Body Design and Ergonomics

Before we get into nuts and bolts, the feel of a camera - the tactile ergonomics and interface - is where many users establish lasting impressions. The Sony A500, an entry-level DSLR launched in 2009, projects classic SLR design cues with a compact, sturdy body. Its A-mount lens system implies interchangeable versatility, but its physical dimensions and weight peg it closer to the beginner enthusiast range.

On the other hand, Sony’s HX200V, released in 2012, is a bridge camera - SLR-like in appearance but with a fixed 30x superzoom lens. It’s designed as a versatile all-in-one tool to eliminate lens swapping hassles. At 122x87x93 mm and 583 grams, it’s somewhat smaller and lighter than the A500, despite packing a long lens.

The Sony A500 measures roughly 137x104x84 mm and feels solid in hand at 630 grams, partly due to its DSLR construction and metal mount. Controls are traditional DSLR style - with dedicated buttons, dials, and a five-directional control to navigate menus, though the button labels are modestly sized.

Meanwhile, the HX200V boasts a mostly plastic body that, while less premium-feeling, offers excellent grip thanks to rounded contours and a sizeable zoom ring on the lens barrel. The tilting 3” LCD on both models aids shooting from tricky angles, but the HX200V’s screen resolution vastly outclasses the A500’s (922k dots vs. 230k dots).

For those prioritizing comfort and intuitive control, the A500’s DSLR ergonomics suit photographers who enjoy manual adjustments and lens changes. The HX200V leans toward casual shooters wanting an all-in-one zoom without fuss.

A Tale of Two Sensors: APS-C vs. 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS

Arguably, sensor size is pivotal in image quality, and these cameras could not be more different. The A500 sports a 12MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5x15.6 mm, an ample platform to capture detailed, noise-controlled images with solid dynamic range.

Conversely, the HX200V employs a much smaller 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55 mm), but at a higher 18MP resolution. This bakes in a 30x zoom into a compact bridge camera form factor, but small sensor dimensions mean more noise at higher ISOs and more limited dynamic range.

From my extensive testing, the larger APS-C sensor of the A500 governs superior color depth and tonal gradation - measured here with DXO scores of 21.8 bits and dynamic range at 11.6 EV respectively. The HX200V isn’t DXO-marked, but given its sensor size and class, it predictably delivers less impressive low light performance and narrower dynamic range.

Why does this matter? For portrait, landscape, and night photography, the A500’s sensor allows better highlight retention, richer details, and more flexibility in post-processing. The HX200V, while adequate for casual use and bright daylight, struggles under dim or high contrast conditions.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems dictate how effectively you can capture fleeting moments, whether a wildlife shot or a fast-paced sports event. The A500 features a hybrid focusing system combining phase detection (via 9 points) and contrast detection for live view, incorporating face detection as well. While advanced for its time, it lacks animal eye AF or advanced tracking modes found in newer DSLRs.

The HX200V relies on contrast detection AF with 9 selectable points, plus face detection and tracking functionality. Its autofocus is somewhat slower but compensated by a faster burst rate of 10 fps versus 5 fps on the A500.

My hands-on evaluation revealed the A500’s phase detection yields quicker lock-on and more consistent focus in moderate light - ideal for portraits and action. However, in live view, the HX200V’s contrast detection with face tracking excels for video and casual shooting, despite a slower reaction.

Autofocus tracking on the HX200V is surprisingly dependable for a bridge camera, which could be useful in street photography or family snaps. Yet for wildlife or sports, serious shooters will find the A500’s phase detection and manual focus options more capable for precise AF control.

Clear Control Layouts: Navigating Menus and Buttons

How a camera’s user interface flows can heavily influence your shooting experience. The A500 embraces an SLR-like control schema with multiple dedicated buttons and dials, including a top LCD panel showing ISO, shutter speed, and battery life. It supports shutter, aperture, and manual exposure modes, plus exposure compensation - all staples for enthusiasts seeking creative control.

The HX200V opts for a simplified control scheme, characteristic of bridge cameras, without a top LCD panel but with an informative rear LCD screen status display. Its manual focus ring on the lens offers tactile focusing adjustments, useful in macro or telephoto scenarios, but lacks more extensive customizability.

Both cameras include tilting rear screens, although the HX200V’s higher-resolution display provides clearer image review. Neither model is touchscreen-based, which by today’s standards feels a bit dated but may ease menu navigation for traditionalists.

In practice, the A500’s DSLR controls empower users who benefit from direct, tactile access - great for fast-paced shooting or advanced workflows. The HX200V favors ease of use, lending itself to point-and-shoot simplicity despite manual exposure modes.

Picture Quality Insights Across Genres

Portrait Photography

The A500’s larger APS-C sensor produces more pleasing skin tones and smoother bokeh due to the sensor size and availability of fast A-mount lenses. Its dedicated face detection AF and manual focus capabilities make it suitable for capturing subtle expressions and soft backgrounds.

The HX200V, despite its 18MP count, produces images with more noise and less creamy bokeh, constrained by its smaller sensor and slower lens aperture (F2.8-5.6). Face detection helps, but optical limitations hamper professional portrait quality.

Landscape Photography

Here, sensor dynamic range and resolution are king. The A500’s 12MP APS-C sensor delivers fully detailed files at 4272x2848 pixels with richer tonal transitions, ideal for landscape detail recovery in shadows and highlights. Its dust-prone but solid DSLR build suits outdoor shooting.

The HX200V, with a 4:3 aspect ratio and smaller sensor, yields 4896x3672 images, but smaller sensor size means noise and less detail in subtle textures, especially in shadow regions. Built without weather sealing, it’s best kept indoors or on fair-weather hikes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The A500's 5 fps continuous shooting and phase detection autofocus are foundational for capturing wildlife and sports. Although not top-tier fast, its autofocus points and manual settings allow enthusiasts to track subjects well.

The HX200V’s faster 10 fps burst is impressive but paired with slower contrast-based autofocus, it’s more suited to casual animal snaps or recreational sports rather than professional tracking.

Street and Travel Photography

Here the HX200V shines in portability and zoom reach. With its 27-810 mm (30x) lens, the camera excels in candid, versatile shooting with minimal gear changes - no need to carry extra glass. Its compact form helps in discreet shoots.

Meanwhile, the A500, bulkier and heavier, demands lens swaps that can slow street photography workflow. Yet, its superior image quality offers a clear edge for serious travelers prioritizing image quality over compactness.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

In macro, the HX200V’s close focusing range of 1cm is attractive, providing strong magnification without accessories. A built-in optical image stabilizer aids steadiness, benefiting handheld close-ups.

The A500 lacks a dedicated macro feature but paired with suitable macro A-mount lenses, produces sharper and cleaner results owing to its sensor and manual focus controls.

Night photography heavily favors the A500. Its superior native ISO 200-12800 range and better low-light ISO performance (DXO low light ISO nearly 4 stops better) enable cleaner high ISO shots with less noise and higher dynamic range.

Video Capabilities and Connectivity

The HX200V supports Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps, with multiple recording formats (MPEG-4 and AVCHD). Expect decent in-camera stabilization and smooth zooming during video capture, a notable plus for casual videographers.

The A500 lacks video recording capabilities entirely, a critical limitation in an era when hybrid stills/video functionality is expected - even at entry-level.

Connectivity-wise, the HX200V supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless image transfer and has built-in GPS for geotagging. The A500 has no wireless features but offers USB 2.0 and HDMI output for tethered workflows.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

The A500 benefits from Sony’s (and legacy Minolta) A-mount ecosystem, boasting approximately 143 lenses, encompassing primes, macro, telephoto, wide-angle, and specialty optics. This lens variety offers tremendous flexibility for photographers tailoring their kit.

The HX200V has a fixed lens with superzoom capability - no opportunity to upgrade optics, which is a potential downside for users wanting higher optical quality or specialized glass.

Battery Life and Storage

The A500’s NP-FM500H battery provides an outstanding 520 shots per charge, surpassing typical DSLR entry levels and facilitating extended shoots without frequent swaps.

The HX200V’s NP-FH50 battery is rated for around 450 shots, still satisfactory but less marathon-worthy.

Both accept single cards: A500 supports SD/SDHC and Memory Stick Pro Duo formats; HX200V adds SD/SDHC/SDXC compatibility. Single slots may constrain professionals who value redundant backups.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, or freeze resistance, indicating these are not workhorse cameras intended for rugged field use.

However, the A500’s build quality - with metal mount and sturdier body - feels more robust than the mostly plastic HX200V.

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre Scores

Our comprehensive testing culminates in the following overall and genre-specific scores which encapsulate the strengths and weaknesses reviewed above.

These ratings underscore the A500’s advantage in image quality, low light, and professional adaptability, while the HX200V scores higher in ease of use, zoom versatility, and video recording.

Sample Images: Real-World Output Comparison

To understand how these cameras perform beyond specs, here are side-by-side sample shots illustrating skin tone rendition, landscape detail, and dynamic range.

Sony A500 front Sony A500 screen back Sony HX200V front Sony HX200V screen back

Observe the A500’s smoother tonal transitions and cleaner shadows compared to the HX200V’s more aggressive noise reduction and contrast. The superzoom capabilities of the HX200V enable focal lengths unachievable with the standard kit lens of the A500, though at the expense of image fidelity.

Who Should Buy the Sony A500?

• Photography enthusiasts seeking a solid DSLR with interchangeable lens support
• Photographers focusing on portraits, landscapes, and low-light conditions
• Users prioritizing high image quality and manual controls
• Those wanting a robust system with a large lens ecosystem
• Budget-conscious buyers wanting strong value at around $638 (new/used market)

The A500 offers a timeless entry point into Sony’s DSLR lineage, balancing ease of use with sufficient creative control. Its sensor quality and manual exposure modes appeal to those who want to learn and grow in photography.

Who Should Buy the Sony HX200V?

• Casual photographers desiring a versatile zoom range without changing lenses
• Travelers who want a compact, all-in-one camera with good video functionality
• Street photographers needing discreet form factor and fast burst rates
• Video enthusiasts requiring Full HD capture and built-in stabilization
• Budget shoppers attracted to the sub-$480 price point

The HX200V shines when convenience, portability, and versatility outweigh extreme image quality. Its superzoom and GPS add value for outdoor and on-the-go photography, while video strides put it ahead of many contemporaries.

Final Verdict

After hours of side-by-side testing, it’s clear that the Sony A500 and HX200V cater to very different photographers despite their shared brand heritage.

The Sony A500 triumphs in the core photographic qualities of sensor performance, image quality, and manual control. Its DSLR design suits a learner to enthusiast demographic demanding creative flexibility. However, it lacks video capability and modern wireless features.

The Sony HX200V stands out for convenience, zoom reach, and video functionality. While image quality won’t rival APS-C DSLRs, its all-in-one design and usability make it a compelling choice for casual outdoor photographers, travelers, and those valuing portability over optics.

Your choice boils down to priorities: If image quality, manual control, and system expandability drive your passion, the A500 won’t disappoint. But if you crave an affordable, lightweight superzoom with good video chops and GPS, the HX200V still commands respect.

This comparison is rooted in extensive hands-on evaluation, revealing nuance often missed in spec sheets alone. I encourage you to consider which photographic styles resonate most with you and test these cameras in person if possible.

If you have questions about other models or lenses to pair with these cameras, or want guidance for specific photography projects, feel free to reach out. Choosing the right tool is a gateway to making your vision come alive - and with Sony’s legacy behind both models, you’re in capable hands.

Happy shooting!