Clicky

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

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
  • Released July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Replacement is Sony HX30V
Sony HX30V
(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
  • Announced February 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX20V
  • Successor is Sony HX50V
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V Overview

Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Sony HX20V and Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both sold by Sony. The resolution of the HX20V (18MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The HX20V was revealed 5 months later than the HX30V which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the HX20V grades versus the HX30V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony HX30V

 HX20V HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony HX20V

 HX30V HX20V 

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony HX30V

 HX20V HX30V 
AnnouncedJuly 2012February 2012Same generation
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution922k922kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Sony HX20V has got external dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Sony HX20V and Sony HX30V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the HX20V vs the HX30V.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the HX20V and HX30V is 90 and 90 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through specs. The graphic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the HX20V and HX30V.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos although you really should take the production date of the cameras into account.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
45
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
supports face detection autofocus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Sony HX20V Street photography highlights
Sony HX30V Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (254 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony HX20V
Sports photography with Sony HX30V
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V Travel photography factors
Sony HX30V Travel photography factors
69
lighter than others (254g)
MP count good (18MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
69
lighter than average (254g)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Landscape photography camera
50
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
50
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (254 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (254 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony HX30V
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-07-20 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
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 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.10 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 254 gr (0.56 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 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 photographs 320 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BG1 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $397 $420