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Sony HX30V vs Sony S950

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Succeeded the Sony HX20V
  • Successor is Sony HX50V
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Sony HX30V and Sony S950, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the HX30V (18MP) and S950 (10MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The HX30V was unveiled 3 years later than the S950 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the HX30V grades vs the S950 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony S950

 HX30V S950 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2009Fresher by 37 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Sony HX30V

 S950 HX30V 

Common features in the Sony HX30V and Sony S950

 HX30V S950 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony HX30V offers physical measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) while the Sony S950 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Sony HX30V and Sony S950 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the HX30V vs the S950.

Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HX30V and S950 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the HX30V and S950.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Sony HX30V to produce extra detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern HX30V should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony HX30V
Portrait photography with Sony S950
45
has manual focus
good MP (18MP)
features face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
26
manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX30V Street photography highlights
Sony S950 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony HX30V
Sports photography with Sony S950
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX30V Travel photography details
Sony S950 Travel photography details
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
good MP (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
no Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
50
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
50
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
31
manual focus
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
Sony S950 as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
9
can't shoot video
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Sony HX30V vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX30V and Sony S950
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30VSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-28 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 254 grams (0.56 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $420 $130