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Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5

Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 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
  • Released April 2009
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Introduced July 2010
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Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Sony HX1 and Sony WX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the HX1 (9MP) and WX5 (12MP) and the HX1 (1/2.4") and WX5 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

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The HX1 was revealed 14 months prior to the WX5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX5 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the HX1 grades against the WX5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony WX5

 HX1 WX5 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Sony HX1

 WX5 HX1 
IntroducedJuly 2010April 2009More recent by 14 months
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Sony HX1 and Sony WX5

 HX1 WX5 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony HX1 offers exterior dimensions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs) whilst the Sony WX5 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Sony HX1 and Sony WX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the HX1 compared to the WX5.

Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the HX1 and WX5 is 67 and 95 respectively.

Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The graphic underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the HX1 and WX5.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The HX1 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony WX5 will produce greater detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older HX1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX1 Portrait photography features
Sony WX5 Portrait photography features
27
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (9MP)
sensor is small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony HX1
Street photography with Sony WX5
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
heavier than others in class (544 grams)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX1 Sports photography details
Sony WX5 Sports photography details
36
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution not great (9MP)
sensor is small (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX1 Travel photography information
Sony WX5 Travel photography information
48
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (544 grams)
sensor resolution not great (9 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX1 Landscape photography details
Sony WX5 Landscape photography details
39
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (9MP)
sensor is small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
37
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (2.8")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX1 Vlogging highlights
Sony WX5 Vlogging highlights
22
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1440 x 1080 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
heavier than others in class (544g)
32
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
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Sony HX1 vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX1 and Sony WX5
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-04-22 2010-07-08
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.4" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.104 x 4.578mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 9 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3456 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.8 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.20 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1440x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 544 grams (1.20 lbs) 146 grams (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $47,999 $250