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Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 Key Specs

Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX20V
  • Updated by Sony HX50V
Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced September 2018
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Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Sony HX30V versus Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are produced by Sony. The resolution of the HX30V (18MP) and the HX99 (18MP) is very well matched but the HX30V (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) have different sensor sizing.

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The HX30V was manufactured 7 years prior to the HX99 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the HX30V matches up vs the HX99 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony HX99

 HX30V HX99 
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Sony HX30V

 HX99 HX30V 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018February 2012Fresher by 79 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony HX30V and Sony HX99

 HX30V HX99 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3.00"Equal display measurement

Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony HX30V comes with external measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) and the Sony HX99 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Sony HX30V versus Sony HX99 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the HX30V against the HX99.

Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HX30V and HX99 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the HX30V and HX99.

Clearly, each of these cameras provide the same megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The HX30V comes with the larger sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF less difficult. The older HX30V is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Portrait photography camera
45
manual focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
comes with face detect focus
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
53
manual focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony HX30V
Street photography with Sony HX99
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (254g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
77
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (242 grams)
very small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Sports photography camera
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
58
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
good battery life (360 shots)
very small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX30V Travel photography highlights
Sony HX99 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than others (254g)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
76
good battery life (360 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (242g)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
Landscape photography with Sony HX99
50
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
58
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3.00 inches)
has image stabilization
decent megapixels (18MP)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (360 CIPA)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX30V Vlogging details
Sony HX99 Vlogging details
34
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing microphone support
76
rather wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization
supports face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (242g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have mic port
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Sony HX30V vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX30V and Sony HX99
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30VSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-02-28 2018-09-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3.00"
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.10 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 254g (0.56 pounds) 242g (0.53 pounds)
Physical dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 photographs 360 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BG1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $420 $469