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Sony HX1 vs Sony W690

Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Launched April 2009
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released February 2012
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Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Sony HX1 vs Sony W690, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the HX1 (9MP) and W690 (16MP) and the HX1 (1/2.4") and W690 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The HX1 was unveiled 3 years prior to the W690 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the HX1 grades against the W690 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony W690

 HX1 W690 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Sony HX1

 W690 HX1 
ReleasedFebruary 2012April 2009Newer by 34 months

Common features in the Sony HX1 and Sony W690

 HX1 W690 
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Sony HX1 enjoys outside dimensions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs) while the Sony W690 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check the Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the HX1 against the W690.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the HX1 and W690 is 67 and 95 respectively.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The picture here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the HX1 and W690.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The HX1 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sony W690 will provide greater detail having an extra 7 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged HX1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX1 Portrait photography info
Sony W690 Portrait photography info
27
has manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (9MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony HX1 Street photography info
Sony W690 Street photography info
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (544g)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX1 Sports photography information
Sony W690 Sports photography information
36
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony HX1
Travel photography with Sony W690
48
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (544 grams)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX1
Landscape photography with Sony W690
39
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W690 as a Vlogging camera
22
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1440 x 1080 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (544 grams)
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Sony HX1 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX1 and Sony W690
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-04-22 2012-02-28
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.4" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.104 x 4.578mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 9MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3456 x 2592 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.20 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
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 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1440x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 544 grams (1.20 lb) 142 grams (0.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 - 220 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BN
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/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $47,999 $297