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Sony A500 vs Sony HX80

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 Key Specs

Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Refreshed by Sony A560
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released March 2016
Photography Glossary

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Sony A500 versus Sony HX80, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and HX80 (18MP) and the A500 (APS-C) and HX80 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

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The A500 was announced 7 years earlier than the HX80 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the A500 grades against the HX80 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony HX80

 A500 HX80 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Sony A500

 HX80 A500 
ReleasedMarch 2016August 2009Newer by 79 months
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony HX80

 A500 HX80 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony A500 has outside measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony HX80 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A500 versus Sony HX80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the A500 vs the HX80.

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A500 and HX80 is 63 and 91 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The picture here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A500 and HX80.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A500 having a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony HX80 will produce extra detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged A500 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Portrait photography camera
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
39
megapixel count decent (18MP)
provides face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A500 Street photography factors
Sony HX80 Street photography factors
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A500
Sports photography with Sony HX80
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery (520 per charge)
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (390 per charge)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A500 Travel photography features
Sony HX80 Travel photography features
43
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (520 shots)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
76
better than average battery pack (390 shots)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse function
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A500
Landscape photography with Sony HX80
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery (520 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
49
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
better than average battery pack (390 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 Vlogging information
Sony HX80 Vlogging information
9
no video shooting
75
rather wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no external mic support
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Sony A500 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and Sony HX80
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-08-27 2016-03-07
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4272 x 2848 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 630g (1.39 lbs) 245g (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 772 not tested
Other
Battery life 520 photos 390 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $638 $368