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Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • 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 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
  • Replaced the Sony HX20V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX50V
Photography Glossary

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the G3 (10MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The G3 was launched 4 years before the HX30V and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the G3 grades against the HX30V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Sony HX30V

 G3 HX30V 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony G3

 HX30V G3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012January 2009More recent by 38 months
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Sony G3 and Sony HX30V

 G3 HX30V 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Sony G3 enjoys exterior measurements of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

See the Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the G3 and the HX30V.

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the G3 and HX30V is 94 and 90 respectively.

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the G3 and HX30V.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony HX30V to render more detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older G3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony G3 Portrait photography details
Sony HX30V Portrait photography details
26
has manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
45
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
has face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony G3 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX30V Sports photography highlights
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony G3 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX30V Travel photography highlights
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than average (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony G3
Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
36
has manual focus
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
50
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony G3 Vlogging details
Sony HX30V Vlogging details
27
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic port
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (254g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
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Sony G3 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony G3 and Sony HX30V
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-01-08 2012-02-28
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 10 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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)
Highest aperture f/3.5-10.0 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.30 m (Auto ISO) 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 185g (0.41 pounds) 254g (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 All around 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 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $200 $420