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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 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
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Renewed by Sony HX30V
Sony HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched June 2010
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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Sony HX20V versus Sony HX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the HX20V (18MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the HX20V (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") possess totally different sensor size.

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The HX20V was unveiled 2 years later than the HX5 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the HX20V grades vs the HX5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony HX5

 HX20V HX5 
LaunchedJuly 2012June 2010Fresher by 26 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Sony HX20V

 HX5 HX20V 

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony HX5

 HX20V HX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Sony HX20V features exterior measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) whilst the Sony HX5 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Sony HX20V versus Sony HX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the HX20V vs the HX5.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the HX20V and HX5 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by going through technical specs. The photograph here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the HX20V and HX5.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The HX20V using its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony HX20V will show extra detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent HX20V is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Portrait photography camera
45
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18MP)
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
20
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
55
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Sports photography camera
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
60
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V Landscape photography features
Sony HX5 Landscape photography features
50
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
37
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX20V Vlogging highlights
Sony HX5 Vlogging highlights
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony HX5
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-07-20 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.10 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 lb) 200 gr (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BG1 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $397 $275