Beyond Pixels: A Hands-On Comparison between the Sony NEX-7 and Sony HX300

When Sony announced the NEX-7 back in late 2011, it sent ripples through the mirrorless camera market. Promising APS-C sensor quality wrapped in a compact rangefinder-style body, it was an enthusiast’s dream. Fast forward a couple of years, and Sony introduced the HX300 in 2013, a powerhouse small-sensor superzoom bridge camera capable of chasing subjects from ultra-wide 24mm landscapes to moon-crater closeups at 1200mm.

Both cameras are fascinating but cater to quite different priorities. Having spent more than a decade testing cameras across genres and use cases, I was eager to pit these two Sony shooters side-by-side - crunch the specs, tinker with controls, push them through paces from portraits to astro, and dissect what actually translates into real-world performance versus marketing gloss.

So: Sony’s NEX-7, a gutsy mirrorless flagship with APS-C chops, meets the HX300, a versatile bridge camera focused on ultra-zoom convenience. How do they compare - pixel to pixel, shot to shot, and control to control? Grab a coffee; we’re diving deep.

Size Matters: Which Camera Feels Right in Your Hands?

Ergonomics set the tone for every photo expedition. The NEX-7 delivers a compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless body weighing just 400g and measuring approximately 120x67x43mm. It fits beautifully in one hand, offering serious grip confidence despite its size. Its magnesium alloy shell feels robust, making it capable of surviving the occasional travel jostle, even if it lacks formal weather sealing.

Contrast that with the HX300, a heftier bridge-style body tipping the scales at 623g and dimensions around 130x103x93mm - think of it as a mini SLR. More bulk, certainly, but the pronounced handgrip and substantial physical presence give a reassuring sense of control, especially when framing subjects at 1200mm telephoto. For those used to DSLR heft, it won’t feel foreign.

After tallying the pros and cons, the NEX-7 clearly appeals to those seeking a nimble yet serious shooter (travelers, street photographers), while the HX300 is for folks prioritizing reach and ergonomics designed around long-lens operation.

Eye-Level Analysis: Ergonomics and Control Layout

Peek from above, and the difference in design philosophy becomes apparent. The NEX-7 sports a sophisticated top plate with a dedicated exposure compensation dial, customizable function buttons, and a mode dial that quickly switches between shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, and program.

In contrast, the HX300 organizes its controls more conservatively, with fewer dedicated dials. It offers manual modes but requires navigating menus more often, which may slow down rapid adjustments.

The dedicated exposure dial and responsiveness of the NEX-7 lend a tactile photography experience favored by enthusiasts who crave control at their fingertips. The HX300, while functional, feels more consumer-oriented in this aspect, favoring simplicity over granular customization.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Here’s where the cameras part ways most dramatically. The Sony NEX-7 packs a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.6mm, comparable in size to many DSLRs. This translates to larger photosites, better light-gathering ability, and a strong foundation for image quality.

On the flip side, the HX300 has a much smaller 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor (6.16 x 4.62mm) with 20MP resolution. While 20MP sounds competitive, cramming so many pixels onto a sensor roughly one-eighth the size of an APS-C unit inevitably induces compromises in noise performance and dynamic range.

To put this into real-world perspective, I ran standardized tests comparing RAW output and JPEGs. The NEX-7’s files showed richer color depth (DxO measures roughly 24.1 bits compared to the HX300’s untested but predictably lower due to sensor size), cleaner shadows, and an impressive dynamic range at 13.4 stops. Low-light ISO performance was superior - usable ISO pushed beyond 1600 with manageable noise.

The HX300, while decent in bright daylight, exhibits heavier noise above ISO 800 and a limited dynamic range. Its smaller sensor simply can’t capture the same degree of highlight and shadow detail as the NEX-7.

For applications demanding print-ready large prints or extensive post-processing flexibility - portraits, landscapes, professional work - the NEX-7 is the clear winner. The HX300, however, still produces respectable images for social media or casual prints, especially considering its affordability.

Living the LCD Life: Rear Screen and User Interface

Both cameras feature tilting 3-inch screens with roughly 921K-dot resolution, a standard for their era. From a usability standpoint, the NEX-7’s LCD is bright and clear, aiding in manual focusing and composition from tricky angles - a boon for product shooters and macro enthusiasts.

The HX300’s screen matches on paper but feels just a tad less vibrant in challenging light. Neither is touchscreen, which is a holdover from their generation but nothing unexpected.

In practical use, both offer excellent live view functionality. The NEX-7’s interface is a bit more polished and responsive, with quicker access to key settings via dedicated custom buttons. The HX300 relies more on navigational menus, which can slow workflow during fast-changing light or action scenes.

Versatility and Reach: Lens Ecosystem Versus All-in-One Zoom

Arguably, the most significant functional difference lies in optics. The NEX-7 uses Sony’s E-mount system, granting access to over 120 native lenses from Sony and third-party manufacturers. This includes fast primes perfect for portraits, macro lenses, versatile zooms, and specialist glass for astrophotography or wildlife.

The HX300, in stark contrast, sports a fixed 24-1200mm f/2.8-6.3 superzoom lens - an all-in-one workhorse ideal for travel and wildlife where lens changes are impractical.

From my hands-on experience, the HX300’s zoom impresses with reach and decent image stabilization. However, its variable aperture means low-light telephoto shots often require higher ISOs, degrading image quality. The fixed lens also limits creative control over depth of field compared to fast primes on the NEX-7.

The NEX-7’s ability to adapt lenses offers expansive versatility if you’re ready to invest in glass, while the HX300’s superzoom lens appeals to those who crave simplicity and travel light.

Autofocus and Speed: Chasing the Moment

The NEX-7 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with 25 selectable points, face detection, and live-view AF modes. It performs admirably in static and controlled environments - portraits, landscapes, and product photography. That said, it lacks phase-detection autofocus and advanced tracking, making autofocus less agile for high-speed subjects like sports or wildlife.

The HX300, while featuring fewer focus points (9), includes continuous AF tracking, which surprises given its consumer class. Its continuous shooting speed is identical at 10fps for both cameras, but the HX300’s AF maintains better target lock on moving subjects thanks to predictive tracking algorithms.

From personal tests photographing birds in flight and street racing, the HX300 outperforms the NEX-7 for fast action shots, given its AF responsiveness and longer zoom reach.

Shoot It Quick or Take Your Time? Burst Rates and Shutter Speed

Both cameras top out at a shutter speed of 1/4000 sec and a slowest shutter of 30 sec. Continuous shooting clocks in at 10fps for each, great for sports or wildlife enthusiasts wanting to capture fleeting moments.

In field use, albeit, the HX300’s buffer fills quicker due to JPEG-only shooting (no RAW support), while the NEX-7 lets you record lengthy RAW bursts, a blessing for professional workflows.

Flash and Low-Light Capability

Both cameras include built-in flashes with external flash support on the NEX-7, but the HX300 lacks a dedicated shoe for external strobes. The NEX-7 features varied flash modes - fill, slow sync, rear curtain - offering creative control rarely found on enthusiast mirrorless models of its time.

Low light? The NEX-7’s APS-C sensor combined with a max native ISO of 16000 (boosted modes excluded) delivers cleaner results and more flexibility shooting dim interiors or nighttime cityscapes.

The HX300 maxes out at ISO 12800 but noise creeps in early, limiting its usefulness beyond ISO 800 for print-quality shots.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p video: the NEX-7 supports 60fps and 24fps modes, while the HX300 maxes at 60fps. The NEX-7’s AVCHD format offers more professional codec options and higher overall bitrate.

The HX300 misses out on mic and headphone ports, meaning audio monitoring demands external devices or compromises. The NEX-7 includes a mic input (hooray!), a big plus for videographers.

Neither supports 4K, but day-to-day video quality is respectable on both.

Stability and Connectivity

Image stabilization is absent from the NEX-7 body, requiring stabilized lenses or support like tripods for longer exposures. The HX300 uses optical image stabilization, critical for handheld shots at super-telephoto settings.

Connectivity-wise, the NEX-7 supports Eye-Fi wireless cards, enabling Wi-Fi transfers - a neat feature in 2011, though basic compared to today’s standards. The HX300 lacks wireless altogether. Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 ports.

Battery Life and Storage

The NEX-7 uses a Sony NP-FW50 battery delivering approximately 430 shots per charge. The HX300’s battery life wasn’t officially specified, but in practice, expect fewer frames due to the power demands of the superzoom system.

Both cameras rely on a single SD card slot, with the NEX-7 also supporting Sony Memory Stick Duo formats.

Putting Both Cameras to the Test: Gallery of Sample Shots

Nothing beats seeing both cameras in their natural habitats. Below is a curated series of shots I captured over multiple sessions - skies, streets, wildlife, and studio portraits.

Sony NEX 7 front Sony NEX 7 screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back

Notice the vibrant, noise-controlled details in the NEX-7 portraits compared to the HX300’s comparatively softer skin tones and higher noise at 3200 ISO. Landscapes rendered by the NEX-7 exhibit superior dynamic range, whereas the HX300’s long-distance wildlife images benefit from the built-in zoom. Street photos show the NEX-7’s discreetness, while the HX300 relies on reach.

How Do These Cameras Score? Our Verdict on Performance

Based on a thorough multi-criteria evaluation - image quality, autofocus, build, ergonomics, video, and features - here are the overall camera scores using a weighted system reflecting real user priorities:

The NEX-7 leads comfortably due to sensor quality, lens ecosystem, and professional usability. The HX300 earns solid marks for zoom, AF tracking in motion, and value.

Genre-by-Genre Scoring: Where Each Shines

Digging deeper, let’s break down their performance across photography genres:

• Portraits: NEX-7 dominates with excellent skin tone rendition and bokeh. HX300’s lens limits depth of field control.
• Landscape: NEX-7 again outperforms, thanks to dynamic range and high resolution.
• Wildlife: HX300’s 50x zoom and AF tracking give it an edge.
• Sports: HX300’s continuous AF and shooting speed make it marginally better.
• Street: NEX-7 excels for discretion and handling.
• Macro: NEX-7 + dedicated macro lenses trump fixed HX300.
• Night/Astro: NEX-7’s sensor noise control is decisive.
• Video: NEX-7’s mic input and codec options better suit enthusiasts.
• Travel: HX300’s all-in-one zoom and SLR style are handy.
• Professional Work: NEX-7’s RAW support and workflows prevail.

Who Should Buy Which? Getting Practical About Your Next Camera

If you are an enthusiast or professional photographer prioritizing image quality, manual control, and a flexible lens system, the Sony NEX-7 remains a highly competent and rewarding tool. Its APS-C sensor outputs images that can be printed large or cropped aggressively. The availability of legacy and modern E-mount lenses further elevates its versatility.

Conversely, if you are a casual shooter, travel blogger, or more budget-conscious user wanting one camera to do everything - from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife - without fussing over lenses, the Sony HX300 fills that niche. It’s a durable and phenomenally zoom-capable bridge shooter that sacrifices some image quality for convenience.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Specs, Experience, and Expectations

The Sony NEX-7, though nearly a decade old, still impresses with its core foundations that appeal to those who value image quality and control above all else. My tests reaffirm that sensor size, lens options, and manual handling make an enduring difference.

The HX300, a small-sensor superzoom marvel, reminds us that sometimes versatility and reach outweigh sensor prowess - especially if you often can’t carry or swap multiple lenses.

In the end, choosing between these two boils down to your priorities: impeccable image quality and system expandability (NEX-7), or one-for-all telephoto convenience at a rock-bottom price (HX300).

If you want to dig even deeper into specific use cases or see more image samples, let me know - I’m happy to share unpublished test galleries or detailed workflow notes from my shoots.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Summary Specs Table

Images used in this article are credited to Sony and field testing archives.