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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5T
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
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Old Model is Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Sony NEX-5R versus Sony HX30V, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5R (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is relatively comparable but the NEX-5R (APS-C) and HX30V (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The NEX-5R was introduced 7 months after the HX30V and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the NEX-5R scores against the HX30V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 NEX-5R HX30V 
RevealedAugust 2012February 2012More modern by 7 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 HX30V NEX-5R 
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)

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

 NEX-5R HX30V 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5R provides physical dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Sony NEX-5R versus Sony HX30V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the NEX-5R vs the HX30V.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5R and HX30V is 89 and 90 respectively.

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

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes just by going through specifications. The picture below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5R and HX30V.

To sum up, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5R having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX30V will produce extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern NEX-5R will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography factors
Sony HX30V Portrait photography factors
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
45
has manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Street photography factors
Sony HX30V Street photography factors
80
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (254g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
Sports photography with Sony HX30V
68
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
73
has touch focus
good resolution (16MP)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
good MP (18MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography details
Sony HX30V Landscape photography details
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
50
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Vlogging factors
Sony HX30V Vlogging factors
31
has touchscreen
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5R and Sony HX30V
 Sony Alpha NEX-5RSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5R Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-08-29 2012-02-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
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
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 276 grams (0.61 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (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 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 910 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 320 images
Style of battery 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 With downloadable app
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
Pricing at release $750 $420