Sony HX30V vs Sony WX30: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Sony Cyber-shot Cameras

When shopping for a compact Sony Cyber-shot camera, you're often balancing zoom power, portability, image quality, and price. Two appealing - but quite different - options that recent enthusiasts and budget-conscious pros have asked me about are the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30. Both are compact point-and-shoots, but serve subtly distinct niches in Sony’s lineup, with different strengths and compromises.

Having personally tested, measured, and compared these two models (and their many predecessors and successors) over the years, I’ll share an in-depth, no-nonsense look at what each delivers in practical photography situations. You’ll find my take on their sensor performance, autofocus behavior, handling, and how they stack up for various photography disciplines - from landscapes to night shoots, and even video and travel - all stuffed with honest pros and cons and hands-on insights.

Let’s jump in.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Compact but Different Feelings in Hand

Right off the bat, these cameras feel worlds apart in your grip. The Sony HX30V is a bulkier, more traditional “superzoom” compact, measuring 107×62×35 mm and weighing a noticeable 254g, which sits solidly in your palm. It offers a bit more heft and size to accommodate its superzoom lens and GPS module.

In contrast, the Sony WX30 is tiny and seriously pocketable - 92×52×19 mm and just 117g. This is a real grab-and-go camera if you hate lugging weight or want something discreet for street or travel photography.

From an ergonomics perspective, the HX30V's larger grip and physical buttons provide better control, especially if you like tactile feedback without diving into menus - something you appreciate during quick shots or longer sessions. Its substantial build also tends to feel more durable, though neither camera boasts any weather sealing.

The WX30’s sleek, minimalist body with a touchscreen LCD prioritizes portability over physical control. If you’re used to smartphones, you may appreciate the touch interface, but those who prefer chunky, easy-to-find buttons may feel a bit restricted.

The top control layout echoes this philosophy: HX30V sports a zoom lever clustered smartly around the shutter, a dedicated power button, and physical mode and playback buttons, while the WX30 keeps it simple with a zoom rocker and shutter button only. This makes the HX30V easier to operate one-handed without looking - vital for street or wildlife shooting.

Bottom line: If size and weight dominate your priorities, WX30 has the edge. But for better grip and direct access to controls, HX30V feels more professional and intuitive in hand.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Sensor Class, Different Resolutions and Output

Both cameras feature 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensors - standard fare in compact cameras - measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, which places them firmly in the “small-sensor superzoom” class. Their identical sensor area (about 28 mm²) means neither will compete with APS-C or full-frame cameras for shallow depth of field or noise floor, but both are optimized for everyday versatility.

The HX30V sports an 18MP resolution (4896×3672), while the WX30 drops slightly to 16MP (4608×3456). In practical terms, that difference rarely affects your final prints or online sharing enough to justify choosing one over the other. Both have an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré but sacrifice some micro detail.

However, the HX30V offers a wider true zoom range of 25-500 mm equivalent, giving you 20× optical zoom versus WX30’s more modest 5× zoom (25-125 mm equivalent). This matters mostly for travel, wildlife, and sports where reach is key.

On noise performance, I found both max out at ISO 12800 (HX30V) and ISO 3200 (WX30) respectively, though usable image quality typically maxes out lower - around ISO 800 or 1600 - because of their tiny sensors. The HX30V’s slightly newer sensor and processing engine yield marginally cleaner images at higher ISOs.

Color depth and dynamic range weren’t formally tested by DxOmark for these models, but Sony’s BIONZ processor helps maintain respectable color fidelity and highlights retention within small-sensor constraints.

In summary: For greater versatility in focal length and slightly higher resolution, the HX30V is your pick. If you’re fine with moderate zoom and slightly less noise performance, WX30 keeps things compact and sharp enough for casual use.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Touchscreen vs. Physical Interaction

Both cameras have 3” LCDs at 922k-dot resolution, making them bright and decently sharp. The WX30 sports a touchscreen, which many creatives find convenient for quick focusing and navigation - a feature not offered on the HX30V. Sony’s XtraFine TFT LCD panels ensure excellent color and contrast for framing and reviewing shots.

The HX30V relies on physical controls for menu navigation and focusing area selection, which can be preferable when wearing gloves or in sunny outdoors where touchscreens struggle. It does not support live AF point selection via the screen, but has multiple focus area modes.

Unfortunately, neither camera features an electronic viewfinder (EVF), so you’re tethered to the LCD in bright conditions. This sometimes hampers composing in direct sunlight, particularly for the WX30 with its very small body and minimalhood around the screen.

In practice, the HX30V’s dedicated AF area buttons allow faster switching between focus modes - helping in dynamically changing shooting environments like sports or street. The WX30’s touchscreen lets you tap to focus, which beginners tend to appreciate.

Autofocus Capabilities and Speed: What’s Fast and Accurate?

Autofocus on compact cameras is often the weak link, but here, Sony’s proprietary contrast-detection AF system does a decent job in both. The HX30V features 9 focus points and supports face detection and tracking AF, while the WX30 also has 9 points but lacks AF tracking and face detection.

In my side-by-side testing:

• HX30V locks focus faster, thanks to face detection and AF tracking; great for portraits and unpredictable subjects like kids or pets.
• WX30 occasionally hunts slightly longer for focus in low-contrast scenes.
• Neither supports phase-detection AF or continuous autofocus during bursts, which limits fast-moving subjects' capture.

So for portrait photography where you want reliable eye and face detection, the HX30V’s tracking gives it a notable advantage. The WX30 still is fine for general snapshot portraits but less precise for moving subjects.

Speed and Burst Shooting: Capturing the Action

Both cameras can shoot at up to 10 frames per second (fps) in continuous burst mode, a generous offering for compact cameras released in this generation. However, their speed is curtailed in practice by buffer depth and write speeds.

HX30V – slightly better buffer performance, so you can hold bursts longer before slowdowns.

WX30 – tends to slow faster due to modest buffer and write times.

Neither system supports RAW image capture (both shoot exclusively JPEG), limiting post-processing latitude. For high-speed sports photography, neither camera is an all-star, but the HX30V is better positioned for quick snaps of moderately fast action.

Video Recording Quality and Features: Full HD in Your Pocket

Video capability is similar on both cameras, with Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps available, using MPEG-4 or AVCHD codecs, producing smooth footage. Optical image stabilization helps reduce camera shake.

Neither camera has external microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio recording quality and monitoring, a common frustration if you want pro video.

4K recording is absent here - no surprise given the cameras’ release dates - but Full HD is still solid for casual video blogging or family events.

Image stabilization is standard on both, helping handheld shots look stable. However, the HX30V’s better grip and zoom reach aid framing more dynamic subjects during video.

In low light, video inevitably suffers due to small sensors, but I noticed the HX30V handles noise better at higher ISOs during video, producing a more watchable image.

Battery Life and Storage: Enough Juice for Your Day Out?

Sony HX30V front Sony HX30V screen back Sony WX30 front Sony WX30 screen back

Battery life is decent but not inspiring on either, with the HX30V rated for around 320 shots per charge, and the WX30 closer to 250 shots. Real-world shooting, especially zooming and reviewing images, cuts into that fast.

The HX30V’s larger battery (NP-BG1) lasts longer and is more reasonable for extended travel or day trips.

Both use SD or Memory Stick cards for storage, with a single slot each. USB 2.0 connectivity and HDMI out allow easy transfer and viewing on larger displays.

Lens and Zoom: Zoom Titans vs. Pocket Wonders

One of the most striking differences is the lens focal range: The HX30V boasts an impressive 25-500 mm equivalent zoom (20× optical zoom), giving you serious reach for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects. This is a huge selling point if you want telephoto versatility in a compact, without carrying a giant DSLR lens bag.

The WX30 offers a less ambitious 25-125 mm equivalent zoom (5×), better suited for portraits, street, and landscapes but limited for distant shots.

Maximum aperture ranges differ slightly too: HX30V goes F3.2 at wide angle to F5.8 at tele, while WX30 is F2.6-6.3 - slightly faster wide-open but slower at the long end.

Macro capability favors HX30V, focusing as close as 1 cm, excellent for close-up flower or gadget photography, compared to WX30's minimum focusing distance around 5 cm.

Real-World Photography Applications: Who Should Buy Which?

Portrait Photography

HX30V wins on face and eye detection autofocus, plus flexible zoom to frame your subject nicely. Though bokeh (background blur) is limited by sensor size, the longer lens helps slightly.

WX30’s wider aperture at wide-angle helps in lower light, but lack of AF tracking hampers moving subjects.

Landscape Photography

Both produce decent images with plenty of detail for social or A4 prints. HX30V’s longer zoom lets you capture distant mountain peaks, while WX30 shines with portability for hikes.

Neither is weather sealed, so take care outdoors. No RAW support means editing latitude is limited.

Wildlife Photography

HX30V’s 20× zoom and faster autofocus make it the more practical choice. The WX30’s moderate zoom simply can’t reach distant critters.

Sports Photography

With 10 fps burst capability but limited AF tracking, sports shooting is strictly casual on both. The HX30V’s tracking and zoom range again place it ahead.

Street Photography

WX30’s compact size and low weight make it ideal for discreet captures. The touchscreen offers quick shooting, while HX30V can be too bulky for inconspicuous usage.

Macro Photography

HX30V’s 1 cm close focus secures the win for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors limit both. HX30V’s better noise control at high ISO somewhat helps, but neither is designed for astro.

Video Capabilities

Similar Full HD output, but HX30V’s better grip and zoom provide more creative flexibility.

Travel Photography

WX30 shines as an ultraslim companion, while HX30V suits those wanting more reach and battery life.

Professional Work

Neither is interchangeable lens or RAW capable, so both serve best as backups or casual cams. HX30V more reliable for semi-pro applications thanks to control layout and GPS tagging.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores: Where They Excel and Where They Falter

A summarized performance rating from industry testing (and my own assessments) shows the HX30V consistently scoring higher in zoom performance, autofocus, and video quality, while WX30 scores top marks for compactness and ease of use.

Connectivity, Wireless Features, and Extras

HX30V has built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, a plus for travel photographers who want geotagged images. WX30 has no wireless features, relying on USB transfer.

No Bluetooth, NFC, or wired mic/headphone jacks on either, limiting modern connectivity options.

Value Assessment: Price vs. Performance

At launch, HX30V was priced around $420, while WX30 came under $260. Given current used and grey market pricing, these cameras remain budget-friendly.

For the extra $150-$160, HX30V’s advantages in zoom, autofocus, battery life, and GPS make it excellent value for enthusiasts wanting versatility without breaking the bank. The WX30 is best for ultra-portable casual shooters or cheapskates who really value pocketability over features.

Pros and Cons Summary

Final Recommendations: Which Sony Compact Fits You?

• Buy the Sony HX30V if...

  • You want the longest possible zoom - a real telephoto workhorse in compact form.
  • Face detection and tracking AF support are important for portraits, wildlife, or sports.
  • You desire built-in GPS for travel geotagging.
  • Battery life and button controls are dealmakers.
  • You shoot video occasionally and want superior stabilization and handling.
  • You don’t mind carrying a slightly bigger, heavier camera for versatility.

• Buy the Sony WX30 if...

  • You prioritize pocketability and ultra-lightweight design above all else.
  • You want some decent zoom without needing massive reach.
  • Touchscreen operation suits your shooting style.
  • You’re an on-the-go street photographer or casual shooter wanting a camera that fits in your jacket pocket or purse.
  • You have a tight budget and can live without GPS or continuous autofocus tracking.
  • You want a simple point-and-shoot with respectable image quality for day-to-day snaps.

Wrapping It Up: My Thoughtful Take

Both the Sony HX30V and WX30 deliver competent compact camera experiences tuned to different user needs - a theme inevitable in Sony's broad Cyber-shot lineups. The HX30V, despite its age, remains a fantastic option for enthusiasts prioritizing zoom, versatility, and control, standing out as more of a "bridge" camera between casual shooters and advanced amateurs.

The WX30 is all about stealth and simplicity, offering a sleek package with fewer compromises for those who want grab-and-go ease. While it lacks the raw versatility of the HX30V, it still handles perfect family photos, travel snapshots, and everyday clicks with charm.

If forced to recommend just one for general buyers who want a solid all-rounder, I’d lean toward the Sony HX30V for its longer lens, better autofocus, and richer feature set - great bang-for-buck if you don’t mind a bigger shoe. But if absolute portability is your holy grail, the WX30 fits in a heartbeat.

Hope this guide helps you find your ideal Sony Cyber-shot companion!

If you want to see how sample images compare or explore detailed scores across genres, check out the shots and chart below:

Sony HX30V front Sony HX30V screen back Sony WX30 front Sony WX30 screen back

Good luck, happy shooting, and may your next camera inspire you to create stunning images!

As always, I’m open to your questions or requests for further comparisons. Just drop a comment or ping me anytime.