Clicky

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55

Portability
63
Imaging
45
Features
51
Overall
47
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 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
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Superseded the Sony HX200V
  • Later Model is Sony HX400V
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony A57
Photography Glossary

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Sony HX300 and Sony A55, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are designed by Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the HX300 (20MP) and A55 (16MP) and the HX300 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The HX300 was launched 2 years after the A55 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the HX300 scores versus the A55 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Sony A55

 HX300 A55 
LaunchedFebruary 2013August 2010More modern by 31 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony HX300

 A55 HX300 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony HX300 and Sony A55

 HX300 A55 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution921k921kEqual display resolution
Touch display No Touch display

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony HX300 provides exterior dimensions 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 A55 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Sony HX300 and Sony A55 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the HX300 versus the A55.

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HX300 and A55 is 63 and 67 respectively.

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing specifications. The image below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the HX300 and A55.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The HX300 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Sony HX300 will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The younger HX300 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX300 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
43
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony HX300
Street photography with Sony A55
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (623g)
77
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Sony HX300 Sports photography factors
Sony A55 Sports photography factors
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery power (380 per charge)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Sony HX300 Travel photography details
Sony A55 Travel photography details
54
good MP (20MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (623 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse function
not so great battery power (380 CIPA)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX300
Landscape photography with Sony A55
49
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
67
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
not so great battery power (380 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX300 Vlogging highlights
Sony A55 Vlogging highlights
25
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (623g)
78
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sony HX300 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX300 and Sony A55
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 Sony SLT-A55
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-02-20 2010-08-24
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.3 -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 623g (1.37 pounds) 500g (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $339 $800