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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Announced July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Later Model is Sony HX30V
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Announced April 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX30V
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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V Overview

Here, we are comparing the Sony HX20V and Sony HX50V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The sensor resolution of the HX20V (18MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The HX20V was introduced 9 months earlier than the HX50V and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the HX20V matches up against the HX50V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony HX50V

 HX20V HX50V 
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Sony HX20V

 HX50V HX20V 
AnnouncedApril 2013July 2012More recent by 9 months

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony HX50V

 HX20V HX50V 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX20V comes with exterior 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 HX50V has dimensions of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check out the Sony HX20V and Sony HX50V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the HX20V compared to the HX50V.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HX20V and HX50V is 90 and 89 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The graphic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the HX20V and HX50V.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony HX50V to give you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older HX20V is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX20V Portrait photography details
Sony HX50V Portrait photography details
45
manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
50
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
features face detect focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony HX20V Street photography info
Sony HX50V Street photography info
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (272g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V Sports photography advice
Sony HX50V Sports photography advice
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
57
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
features tracking focus
better than average battery power (400 shots)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony HX20V
Travel photography with Sony HX50V
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
good MP (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
71
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (272 grams)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX50V Landscape photography highlights
50
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
53
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX20V Vlogging information
Sony HX50V Vlogging information
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (272 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing microphone jack
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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony HX50V
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-07-20 2013-04-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 5184 x 2920
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
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 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 922 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.10 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AEB
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 254g (0.56 lb) 272g (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 400 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BG1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $397 $439