Clicky

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA 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
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX20V
  • Renewed by Sony HX50V
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Released July 2018
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Sony HX30V and Sony RX100 VA, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The sensor resolution of the HX30V (18MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is fairly well matched but the HX30V (1/2.3") and RX100 VA (1") provide different sensor dimensions.

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

The HX30V was launched 7 years prior to the RX100 VA and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the HX30V matches up versus the RX100 VA in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony RX100 VA

 HX30V RX100 VA 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony HX30V

 RX100 VA HX30V 
ReleasedJuly 2018February 2012More recent by 77 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k922kCrisper display (+307k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony HX30V and Sony RX100 VA

 HX30V RX100 VA 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Sony HX30V comes with external dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) while the Sony RX100 VA has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") and a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Examine the Sony HX30V and Sony RX100 VA in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the HX30V and the RX100 VA.

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the HX30V and RX100 VA is 90 and 89 respectively.

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading through specs. The visual below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the HX30V and RX100 VA.

All in all, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The HX30V because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony RX100 VA will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older HX30V is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony HX30V
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 VA
45
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony HX30V
Street photography with Sony RX100 VA
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
86
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (299 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Sony HX30V Sports photography features
Sony RX100 VA Sports photography features
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
70
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (24.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
76
lighter than competition (299g)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 VA
50
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
66
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX30V Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 VA Vlogging factors
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone jack
81
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition (299 grams)
lack of external microphone port
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sony HX30V vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX30V and Sony RX100 VA
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30VSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-28 2018-07-13
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 922k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 254 grams (0.56 lb) 299 grams (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 320 images 220 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $420 $998