Sony A850 vs Sony HX30V

In this article, we are looking at the Sony A850 versus Sony HX30V, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and HX30V (18MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and HX30V (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The A850 was announced 22 months prior to the HX30V making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A850 matches up against the HX30V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The whole galleries are available at Sony A850 Gallery and Sony HX30V Gallery.

For those who are planning to lug around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony A850 provides outside dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A850 versus Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the A850 versus the HX30V.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A850 and HX30V is 54 and 90 respectively.

Normally, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A850 and HX30V.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A850 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sony A850 will produce greater detail with its extra 7 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older A850 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.