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Sony HX300 vs Sony W730

Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 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
  • Launched February 2013
  • Superseded the Sony HX200V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX400V
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
  • Launched January 2013
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Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Sony HX300 versus Sony W730, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both produced by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the HX300 (20MP) and W730 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The HX300 was launched 2 months later than the W730 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W730 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the HX300 scores versus the W730 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Sony W730

 HX300 W730 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Sony HX300

 W730 HX300 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony HX300 and Sony W730

 HX300 W730 
LaunchedFebruary 2013January 2013Similar generation
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony HX300 enjoys exterior measurements of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Sony W730 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") along with a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Contrast the Sony HX300 versus Sony W730 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the HX300 versus the W730.

Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HX300 and W730 is 63 and 96 respectively.

Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the HX300 and W730.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sony HX300 to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively.

Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX300 Portrait photography details
Sony W730 Portrait photography details
42
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX300 Street photography factors
Sony W730 Street photography factors
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (623g)
67
image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (122g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX300 Sports photography details
Sony W730 Sports photography details
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony HX300
Travel photography with Sony W730
54
decent MP (20MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (623 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition in class (122g)
features focus by touch
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX300 Landscape photography details
Sony W730 Landscape photography details
48
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
39
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX300 Vlogging information
Sony W730 Vlogging information
25
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (623 grams)
34
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (122 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
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Sony HX300 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX300 and Sony W730
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-02-20 2013-01-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.3 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 2.80 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 623g (1.37 pounds) 122g (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" 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
Battery life - 240 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $339 $138