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Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 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
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX20V
  • New Model is Sony HX50V
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Sony HX30V and Sony WX50, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Sony. The resolution of the HX30V (18MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The HX30V was revealed very close to the WX50 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the HX30V matches up against the WX50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony WX50

 HX30V WX50 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k461kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Sony HX30V

 WX50 HX30V 

Common features in the Sony HX30V and Sony WX50

 HX30V WX50 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2012Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony HX30V offers physical dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) while the Sony WX50 has sizing of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Sony HX30V and Sony WX50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the HX30V compared to the WX50.

Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HX30V and WX50 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes just by seeing specs. The image below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the HX30V and WX50.

All in all, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX30V to provide more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Portrait photography camera
45
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX30V Street photography information
Sony WX50 Street photography information
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX30V Sports photography advice
Sony WX50 Sports photography advice
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX30V Travel photography info
Sony WX50 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
69
lighter than others in class (117g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
Landscape photography with Sony WX50
50
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
38
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX30V Vlogging info
Sony WX50 Vlogging info
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
35
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing external mic port
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Sony HX30V vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX30V and Sony WX50
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30VSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-28 2012-01-30
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 254g (0.56 pounds) 117g (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 240 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BG1 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $420 $250