Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX30V

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Sony NEX-5 and Sony HX30V, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the NEX-5 (14MP) and HX30V (18MP) and the NEX-5 (APS-C) and HX30V (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The NEX-5 was revealed 21 months earlier than the HX30V making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the NEX-5 matches up against the HX30V for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha NEX-5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The full galleries are viewable at Sony NEX-5 Gallery and Sony HX30V Gallery.

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-5 has got exterior dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-5 and 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 the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the NEX-5 versus the HX30V.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5 and HX30V is 89 and 90 respectively.

Quite often, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-5 and HX30V.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The NEX-5 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Sony HX30V will offer you greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The older NEX-5 is going to be behind in sensor technology.