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Sony HX20V vs Sony W730

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 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
  • Launched July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Renewed by Sony HX30V
Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Sony HX20V vs Sony W730, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the HX20V (18MP) and the W730 (16MP) is fairly close and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The HX20V was manufactured 5 months earlier than the W730 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the HX20V grades vs the W730 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony W730

 HX20V W730 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Sony HX20V

 W730 HX20V 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony W730

 HX20V W730 
ReleasedJuly 2012January 2013Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony HX20V provides outside dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) while the Sony W730 has sizing of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Contrast the Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the HX20V against the W730.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the HX20V and W730 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The picture below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the HX20V and W730.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Sony HX20V to provide you with greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
Portrait photography with Sony W730
45
focusing manually
MP count good (18MP)
includes face detection focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
good MP (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony HX20V Street photography details
Sony W730 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than competition (122 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V Sports photography details
Sony W730 Sports photography details
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
Sony W730 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
MP count good (18MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
71
lighter than competition (122g)
boasts touch focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V Landscape photography advice
Sony W730 Landscape photography advice
50
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
39
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony HX20V
Vlogging with Sony W730
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
34
decently wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (122 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
Photography Glossary

Sony HX20V vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony W730
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-07-20 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.10 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 254 grams (0.56 lbs) 122 grams (0.27 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 240 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BG1 NP-BN
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/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $397 $138