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Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX10V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX30V
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Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Sony G3 versus Sony HX20V, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the G3 (10MP) and HX20V (18MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The G3 was introduced 4 years prior to the HX20V and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the G3 grades against the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Sony HX20V

 G3 HX20V 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony G3

 HX20V G3 
LaunchedJuly 2012January 2009More recent by 42 months
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Sony G3 and Sony HX20V

 G3 HX20V 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony G3 has got outside dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony G3 versus Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the G3 and the HX20V.

Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the G3 and HX20V is 94 and 90 respectively.

Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the G3 and HX20V.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Sony HX20V to produce greater detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older G3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony G3 Portrait photography information
Sony HX20V Portrait photography information
26
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
focusing manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony G3 Street photography details
Sony HX20V Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony G3
Sports photography with Sony HX20V
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony G3
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
MP count good (18MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony G3 Landscape photography features
Sony HX20V Landscape photography features
36
has manual focus
very good size screen (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
50
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony G3 Vlogging information
Sony HX20V Vlogging information
27
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of mic socket
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Sony G3 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony G3 and Sony HX20V
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-01-08 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-10.0 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.5" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.30 m (Auto ISO) 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 grams (0.41 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 320 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $200 $397