Comparing the Sony HX300 vs Sony HX99: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Is Right for You?

Choosing your next camera often boils down to balancing what you want to create with the gear you can carry and afford. Sony’s Cyber-shot line brings compelling superzoom choices for photographers seeking versatility in a compact package. Today, we put the Sony HX300 and the newer Sony HX99 head-to-head - two small sensor superzooms aimed at enthusiasts who crave zoom reach, image quality, and a manageable form factor.

Drawing on our extensive hands-on experience testing hundreds of cameras in real-world conditions, let’s examine how these two cameras compare across all major photography disciplines, technical specifications, and practical usability. We’ll help you find which model suits your creative journey - from outdoor adventures and street photography to the occasional wildlife and video shoots.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

When you pick up a camera, ergonomics and physical dimensions profoundly affect your shooting experience. The HX300 and HX99 adopt very different body styles - one a bridge-style DSLR replica and the other an ultra-compact pocketable design.

Sony HX300: If you prefer a sturdy, DSLR-style grip that feels substantial in the hand, the HX300 excels. Its larger body size translates to better stability for long telephoto shooting and a more confident hold. This is particularly valuable when you shoot wildlife or sports where camera steadiness matters.

Sony HX99: Compact to the extreme, the HX99 fits easily into a jacket pocket or small bag. Weighing less than half of the HX300, it’s ideal for travel, street photography, or everyday carry. The slimmer body, however, means smaller controls, which may challenge photographers with bigger hands or those who value physical dials and buttons for fast adjustments.

Design and Controls: User Interface That Matches Your Workflow

In-camera controls and menu navigation can make or break your shooting flow. Let’s look at how Sony implemented those on the HX300 and HX99, particularly focusing on tactile usability.

• HX300: Offers a more traditional DSLR-style control layout with a mode dial, dedicated buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and a rear thumb joystick for AF point selection. While no touchscreen is present, controls are logically placed for quick manual adjustments - a big plus for experienced photographers who want tactile feedback.

• HX99: Features a clean, minimalist top plate but compensates with a touchscreen interface on the rear, supporting touch AF and menu navigation. Alongside touchscreen, the rear wheel and directional buttons are present but smaller. This hybrid approach suits hybrid shooters - those who want touchscreen convenience combined with manual control flexibility.

Sensor and Image Quality: Crunching the Numbers

The heart of any camera’s image performance is its sensor and processor combo. Both cameras use 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensors, but there are key differences to unpack.

Both cameras share very similar sensor sizes typical of the small sensor superzoom category. The slightly higher pixel count on the HX300 can theoretically offer marginally more detail when shooting JPEGs, but the HX99’s RAW support gives it a huge advantage for post-processing flexibility and dynamic range recovery.

What does this mean in real life?

• The HX99 delivers cleaner images at higher ISOs thanks to its newer image processor and improved noise algorithms.
• Lack of RAW shooting on the HX300 limits image editing potential, where you must rely solely on in-camera JPEG processing.
• Color depth and dynamic range will be broadly similar, but the HX99 may edge ahead in shadow retention due to improved processing pipelines.

The Magic of Zoom: Lens Performance Compared

Sony’s superzooms are all about reaching subjects with a versatile zoom range, but the HX300 and HX99 propose different focal lengths and apertures.

The HX300’s 50x zoom is extraordinary for a bridge camera, letting you get close to distant wildlife or sports action without adding massive lenses. It also benefits from a relatively bright f/2.8 aperture at the wide end, helping in lower light or giving you better background separation.

The HX99’s 30x zoom isn’t as extensive but covers an excellent focal range from wide to telephoto for most travel or street uses. Its very close macro focusing down to 5 cm is ideal for creative close-ups - something the HX300 lacks.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking Capabilities

Focusing is critical in dynamic shooting conditions. Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF systems without phase detection, but their AF feature sets differ.

The HX99 has a clear advantage here with face detection and continuous autofocus for tracking moving subjects. This makes it better suited for:

• Portraits where eyes and faces stay sharp
• Capturing sports or fast-moving street scenes with increased reliability
• Autofocusing while recording video

The HX300's single autofocus mode and lack of face detection may cause frustration for users shooting fast action or portraits demanding precise focus locks.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Types

We’ll now explore how each camera fares in the main creative genres, reflecting real-world shooting demands.

Portrait Photography

• HX99: Face detection and eye-level tracking ensure sharp focus on your subjects’ eyes. Macro mode aids environmental and detail shots. The smaller sensor means moderate background blur, but its bright optics at wide focal lengths help. Touchscreen makes selecting focus points quick.

• HX300: Lacks face detection, meaning you must be precise manually or with center AF. However, the larger zoom allows for tighter framing from a distance. Aperture is slower at telephoto, limiting natural bokeh effects.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras produce decent resolution (18-20 MP) for landscape prints and sharing.
• HX300’s longer focal reach lets you isolate distant landscape features.
• Neither offers weather sealing, so extra care is required in challenging environments.
• HX99’s RAW support helps recover shadows and highlights in high contrast.

Wildlife Photography

• HX300 excels with its 50x zoom, a standout in the category enabling flexible framing without heavy lenses.
• HX300’s slight edge in burst rate (10 fps) matches the HX99, but lack of continuous AF makes tracking wildlife motion demanding.
• HX99’s continuous AF and face detection help composition but can’t match the telephoto reach.

Sports Photography

• HX99 wins for autofocus tracking and continuous AF mode.
• HX300’s 10 fps burst rate matches but AF system is less dynamic.
• HX99’s compact size aids portability to sports events.

Street Photography

• HX99 shines with small form, quicker operation, and discreetness.
• HX300’s bulk can be intrusive and harder to use in candid situations.

Macro Photography

• HX99 clearly better with dedicated macro focusing as close as 5 cm.
• HX300 lacks macro focusing capabilities.

Night/Astro Photography

• Both cameras have similar max ISO (12,800), but limited sensor size.
• HX99’s RAW mode improves post-processing options in low light.
• Neither features bulb mode or advanced astro-specific settings.

Video Capabilities

Videographers will prefer the HX99’s modern 4K capabilities and slow-motion options. The stabilized lens on both reduces handheld shake, but lack of external mic input limits audio control.

User Interface: Screens and Viewfinders

The rear screen and EVF greatly affect how you compose and review shots.

• HX300: Features a 3" tilting screen with 921k dots, but no touchscreen. The EVF lacks published resolution data and feels less detailed.
• HX99: Similar screen size and resolution but adds touchscreen capability and full 100% viewfinder coverage at 0.5x magnification, making composing precise shots easier.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The HX99’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC offer easy sharing and remote control via smartphone. The HX300 lacks wireless features entirely - common for its generation.

Battery life of the HX99 is rated solidly for travel and casual shooting. The HX300’s specifics aren’t published but is expected to be similar or lower due to larger body size and older battery tech.

A Look at Sample Images and Performance Scores

Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back Sony HX99 front Sony HX99 screen back

In real shooting tests:

• The HX300’s shots at full zoom demonstrate sharp reach but visible noise creeping in past ISO 800.
• The HX99 produces crisper low ISO images with more natural colors and better shadow details, especially when using RAW files.

• Overall, the HX99 scores higher in autofocus, image quality, and video.
• HX300 retains strengths in zoom range and shooting ergonomics.

The HX300 leads in wildlife and landscape due to zoom, while the HX99 excels for portrait, street, and video applications.

Final Thoughts: Which Sony Small Sensor Superzoom Is Right for You?

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Hands-On Suggestions: Test If You Can!

• If zoom reach is your #1 priority for wildlife or distant subjects and you don’t mind a larger body, the HX300 remains compelling.
• If video, portability, connectivity, and modern features matter more, the HX99 is the smarter investment.
• Try both cameras in-store to feel their ergonomics, experiment with autofocus speed, and test video capabilities.
• Pair your camera choice with lenses and accessories suited to your shooting style - for instance, invest in a compact tripod for HX99 or a harness strap for HX300.
• Explore firmware updates and Sony’s support ecosystem, as these can add features and improve usability over time.

Final Recommendation

For most modern photography enthusiasts and professionals seeking a versatile, travel-friendly superzoom with solid image quality and video, the Sony HX99 is the clear winner. Its balance of features, upgraded autofocus system, and 4K video support future-proof your investment.

The Sony HX300 retains a unique appeal for zoom junkies prioritizing maximum reach and prefer a traditional DSLR form factor. Its limitations, especially no RAW and dated AF, mean it’s best suited as a secondary or niche camera rather than a main tool.

Your choice is ultimately guided by your creative priorities and shooting contexts - choose what feels right on your hands and matches the stories you want to tell with your photography.

We hope this detailed comparison equips you with the insights to take the next step in your photography journey confidently. Check out these cameras hands-on if possible, and once you decide, dive into Sony’s extensive accessory ecosystem to get the most from your new camera.

Happy shooting!