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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX20V
  • Later Model is Sony HX50V
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX30V, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5N (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is relatively close but the NEX-5N (APS-C) and HX30V (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-5N was introduced 4 months prior to the HX30V which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the NEX-5N matches up versus the HX30V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony HX30V

 NEX-5N HX30V 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony NEX-5N

 HX30V NEX-5N 
Screen resolution922k920kClearer screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX30V

 NEX-5N HX30V 
AnnouncedOctober 2011February 2012Same age
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-5N enjoys exterior dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX30V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the NEX-5N against the HX30V.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5N and HX30V is 89 and 90 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The photograph below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5N and HX30V.

To sum up, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The NEX-5N having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony HX30V will result in greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography advice
Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
45
focusing manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Street photography details
Sony HX30V Street photography details
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Sports photography camera
58
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery life (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
offers tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery life (460 shots)
boasts focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than average (254 grams)
good resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography information
Sony HX30V Landscape photography information
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (460 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
50
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging advice
Sony HX30V Vlogging advice
33
touchscreen functionality
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of external mic port
34
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic jack
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX30V
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-10-03 2012-02-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4912 x 3264 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 254 gr (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 1079 not tested
Other
Battery life 460 photos 320 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $550 $420