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Sony HX300 vs Sony S950

Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony HX200V
  • Successor is Sony HX400V
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Sony HX300 and Sony S950, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the HX300 (20MP) and S950 (10MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The HX300 was released 4 years later than the S950 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the HX300 scores versus the S950 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Sony S950

 HX300 S950 
IntroducedFebruary 2013February 2009Fresher by 49 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Sony HX300

 S950 HX300 

Common features in the Sony HX300 and Sony S950

 HX300 S950 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Sony HX300 enjoys external dimensions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Sony HX300 and Sony S950 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the HX300 vs the S950.

Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the HX300 and S950 is 63 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the HX300 and S950.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX300 to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer HX300 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX300 Portrait photography info
Sony S950 Portrait photography info
42
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
26
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony HX300
Street photography with Sony S950
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competitors (623g)
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX300 Sports photography factors
Sony S950 Sports photography factors
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX300 Travel photography information
Sony S950 Travel photography information
54
resolution is good (20MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (623g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX300 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
48
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
31
focusing manually
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX300 Vlogging info
Sony S950 Vlogging info
25
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competitors (623 grams)
9
no video recording
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Sony HX300 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX300 and Sony S950
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-02-20 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.3 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 623g (1.37 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $339 $130