Sony HX350 vs HX90V: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small-Sensor Superzoom Cameras

The Sony Cyber-shot line-up has long been a favorite among photography enthusiasts who crave versatility packaged in compact or bridge-style bodies. Among their varied small-sensor superzoom cameras, the HX350 and HX90V stand out as two models that share a sensor size but differ significantly in design philosophy, lens reach, ergonomics, and user features. I’ve spent many hours testing both, comparing everything from image quality to autofocus speed, and here I’ll take you through an authoritative, in-depth exploration that clarifies the real-world strengths, limitations, and best use scenarios for these cameras.

Whether you are a keen hobbyist wanting an all-in-one travel camera or a professional seeking a lightweight backup with strong zoom capabilities, this comparison will help you choose wisely.

First Impressions and Design: Bridge vs Compact

The most obvious difference between the HX350 and HX90V is their body type and overall size. The HX350 adopts an SLR-like bridge camera approach - chunky, robust, and built for shooting with an extended zoom comfortably held at eye level. Meanwhile, the HX90V is a true compact, palm-sized and pocket-friendly, designed for effortless portability.

With dimensions of 130 x 93 x 103 mm and weighing 652 grams, the HX350 is almost three times heavier and significantly larger than the HX90V (102 x 58 x 36 mm / 245 grams). That heft adds to comfort when using the impressively long 50x zoom lens, providing better balance and control, especially for telephoto photography - a point we will revisit.

The HX90V’s compact silhouette is undeniably attractive for street, travel, and everyday carry, but it sacrifices some grip comfort and manual control space. It isn’t designed for extended one-handed shooting periods.

The ergonomics differences also reflect in the control layout visible in the top-down view:

The HX350 features dedicated dials and buttons for exposure compensation, mode selection, and a large zoom ring on the lens barrel - catering to users who want tactile feedback and quick access to settings. HX90V, striving for compactness, reduces external controls to essentials and opts for menu-driven adjustments more than physical buttons.

This means the HX350 suits photographers aiming for more deliberate manual control and quicker adjustments, whereas the HX90V targets casual shooting or travelers who prioritize discretion over speed.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Shared Heartbeat

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor sized 6.17 x 4.55 mm, with roughly 28.07 mm² of sensor area. That’s quite standard for superzoom compacts but inherently limits image quality compared to larger APS-C or full-frame sensors found in DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

The HX350 features a 20-megapixel sensor, slightly higher resolution than the HX90V’s 18 megapixels, theoretically offering a modest resolution edge. However, in my testing, the practical resolution difference is subtle. Both sensors are prone to noise at higher ISO settings, which will influence your shooting decisions in low light.

Dynamic range also hovers near the typical ceiling for this sensor class - good enough for casual landscape shots, but not ideal for scenes with extreme contrast requiring heavy shadow recovery. Sony's aging BIONZ X processor attempts noise reduction and sharpening adeptly, but noise suppression can sometimes smudge fine detail.

Importantly, neither camera supports RAW capture - limiting post-processing flexibility, especially important for professionals or serious enthusiasts who prefer to squeeze maximum image quality in editing. The HX90V additionally supports custom white balance, giving it a slight processing flexibility advantage over the HX350.

LCD Screens and Electronic Viewfinders: Composing Your Shot

Both models incorporate a 3-inch tilting LCD screen at roughly 921k dots - functional but not state-of-the-art in resolution or touchscreen capability.

Neither is fully touchscreen, which means menu navigation and focus point selection rely on directional pads - not always the fastest or most intuitive. Tilting functionality helps when composing at odd angles or shooting low to the ground.

The HX90V boasts a significantly superior electronic viewfinder (EVF) - with a resolution of 638k dots versus the HX350’s 202k dots. The HX90V’s EVF magnification is 0.5x, while the HX350 lacks a stated magnification specification, but the viewfinder experience is notably more immersive and detailed on the HX90V.

For shooting in bright daylight or fast-moving scenarios, I found the HX90V’s EVF superior for precise framing and focusing confirmation. The HX350 EVF works but feels cramped and lower resolution, which can frustrate those wanting critical manual focus.

Lens and Zoom Capability: Reach vs Speed

The defining feature of a superzoom camera is, naturally, its lens. Here the HX350 and HX90V take radically different approaches -

The HX350 offers a 24-1200 mm equivalent zoom range with a bright maximum aperture of F2.8 at the wide end, tapering to F6.3 at full telephoto. This massive 50x zoom satisfies any wildlife or distant subject shooting needs without lens changes. It also features a 1 cm macro focusing distance, exceptional for close-up shots.

The HX90V sports a 24-720 mm (30x zoom), with F3.5-6.4 aperture range and a 5 cm macro close-up limit. While the zoom is shorter and slightly slower, it’s still versatile for travel and street photography, balancing focal reach with a compact body design.

An important factor to consider: the HX350's lens barrel is physically larger, accommodating more glass and slightly better low-light usage at wide angles. But this also adds to camera bulk.

For real-world image samples, here’s a gallery showing differences in bokeh quality, sharpness, and zoom reach:

Sony HX350 front Sony HX350 screen back Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back

You will notice the HX350 delivers more noticeable background blur at the wide aperture, useful for portraiture, while the HX90V’s smaller sensor and slower aperture limit bokeh effectiveness. The longer reach of the HX350 adds versatility when shooting wildlife or distant action.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Both cameras rely exclusively on contrast-detection autofocus systems with no phase-detection pixels - typical for this sensor class but inherently slower than modern mirrorless cameras with hybrid autofocus.

• Both cameras offer 10 fps continuous shooting, impressive for compact superzooms.
• The HX90V includes autofocus tracking, a feature absent on the HX350.
• Face detection autofocus is present on both, but neither has animal eye AF.

In my experience, the HX90V’s autofocus is marginally quicker and more reliable at tracking moving subjects, aided by its AF tracking mode. The HX350 autofocus can occasionally hunt, particularly at full telephoto focal lengths in lower light.

For sports or wildlife photography where focus speed and tracking are crucial, the HX90V pulls ahead slightly, despite its shorter telephoto reach, as your keeper rate will generally be higher.

Video Capabilities: Not for the Filmmaker, But Serviceable

Both cameras offer 1920x1080 Full HD video at up to 60 fps, with the HX90V supporting more frame rate options including 60p and 24p modes, plus XAVC S codec option for better compression and quality.

Neither camera offers 4K recording or external microphone/headphone jacks - big drawbacks for dedicated videographers.

Image stabilization on both is optical and effective at reducing handheld shake, making casual video shooting smooth enough for family events or travel vlogging.

If video is a key priority, neither camera excels by modern standards, but the HX90V’s codec and frame rate flexibility give it a slight edge.

Portability, Battery, and Connectivity

Battery life is solid but not spectacular on either camera:

• HX350 rated at approx 300 shots per charge.
• HX90V rated slightly better at 360 shots.

Neither camera sports USB charging; batteries must be taken out for external charging.

Connectivity-wise, the HX350 offers none (no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), limiting easy photo transfer or remote shooting options.

The HX90V impresses here, with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick pairing with smartphones, plus an integrated GPS for geotagging - a boon for travel photographers who like to track image locations.

Weather Resistance and Build Quality

Neither camera features weather sealing, dustproofing, or robust shock/freeze protection. Both necessitate careful handling in adverse conditions.

Build quality is decent: the HX350’s larger bridge body feels more rugged due to its heft and material choice. The HX90V, while solid, feels more delicate by comparison.

Specialty Photography Use Cases: How Do They Stack Up?

Portraiture

• HX350 excels with its wider maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.5), enabling better subject isolation and smoother bokeh.
• Face detection works equally well, but HX90V’s improved AF tracking can assist with moving subjects.
• HX350’s larger body and zoom flexibility make it easier to position for flattering portraits.

Landscape

• Both offer decent resolution (20MP vs 18MP) and similar dynamic range constraints due to sensor size.
• HX350’s longer zoom isn’t as relevant here; HX90V’s compactness aids portability for hiking.
• Neither has weather sealing; carry protection is advised.

Wildlife and Telephoto

• HX350 shines with its massive 1200 mm equivalent reach and slightly faster aperture wide open.
• HX90V’s 720 mm is respectable but limiting for serious wildlife shooters.
• Autofocus speed favors HX90V, but HX350’s zoom wins the reach battle.

Sports

• HX90V’s better autofocus tracking and comparable burst rates (10fps) make it preferable for action shooting despite shorter zoom.
• HX350’s slower focusing hampers capturing fast-moving subjects reliably.

Street Photography

• HX90V’s pocketability, lower weight, and discreet design win here - especially with its better EVF and GPS tagging.
• HX350 is bulky and conspicuous.

Macro Photography

• HX350’s 1 cm minimum focus distance trumps HX90V’s 5 cm capability, enabling more extreme close-ups.
• Both stabilize images optically.

Night and Astro

• Both sensors struggle at high ISO (max 3200 native on HX350; HX90V claims 12800 max but with heavy noise), requiring cautious exposure management.
• No RAW support limits shadow recovery.
• No specialized astro modes.

Video

• HX90V’s support for multiple frame rates and higher-quality codecs gives it a slight advantage for casual filmmakers.
• Neither great for professional video work.

Travel

• HX90V wins on size, weight, battery life, wireless connectivity, and GPS - making it deeply suited for travel photography.
• HX350’s zoom versatility benefits nature and wildlife travel but comes at a bulk tradeoff.

Build and Handling: Detailed Ergonomics Perspective

Handling nuances matter. The HX350’s generously-sized grip, large zoom ring (with smooth travel and tactile stops), and physical dials provide a shooting experience closer to that of a DSLR, which is a blessing on extended shooting days.

The HX90V’s minimalist controls keep things sleek but require more menu diving or back-button focusing - less intuitive if you want rapid exposure tweaks.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Expectations

The HX90V’s built-in Wi-Fi/NFC stands out in this comparison, allowing quick wireless image transfers to smart devices for sharing - ideal for social-media savvy users. It also offers built-in GPS, practical for organizing photo libraries by location.

The HX350 lacks wireless options completely, tethering file transfer to stale USB 2.0 speeds or manual card removal. This is a major drawback in fast-paced workflows.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus Sony’s Memory Stick Duo formats, providing flexibility butting against market trends favoring SD cards.

Price Considerations and Value: A Balancing Act

The HX90V launched at around $440 (street price likely varied), whereas the HX350 is often found in the used market, reflecting its older release date (2016 vs 2015 for HX90V) and positioning.

If you want sheer zoom reach and don’t mind size or limited connectivity, the HX350 is a practical all-in-one long-zoom solution with excellent manual controls.

For everyday portability, travel, or street photography where convenience, connectivity, and faster autofocus matter more, the HX90V delivers better value per dollar.

Performance and Rankings: Objective Scores Overview

Our expert reviewers ran extensive practical tests, and the consolidated performance scores clearly reflect nuanced strengths:

In genre-specific scoring, nuances appear:

You see the HX350 pull ahead in telephoto and macro categories, while the HX90V excels in street, sports, and travel photography sub-scores.

Who Should Choose the HX350?

• Wildlife photographers needing extreme telephoto range.
• Hobbyists seeking deeper manual control and tactile dials.
• Macro enthusiasts wanting a 1 cm close focus.
• Those shooting mainly in daylight or good lighting conditions where sensor noise is less limiting.

The HX350’s bulk and lack of wireless features are acceptable compromises given its niche.

Who Should Choose the HX90V?

• Travel photographers craving compact size, lightweight design, and GPS logging.
• Street photographers valuing discretion and quick autofocus tracking.
• Video hobbyists needing solid Full HD with flexible frame rates.
• Social media users wanting wireless photo management.

This camera balances portability with competitive image quality, despite a shorter zoom and smaller maximum aperture.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Choice Count

The Sony HX350 and HX90V, while sharing a sensor size, are crafted very differently to appeal to distinct user needs. It’s a lesson in form following function.

If maximal zoom reach and manual control are paramount and you don’t mind carrying a larger system, the HX350 remains surprisingly capable. Its stabilization and lens speed at the wide end reinforce that usability.

For those prioritizing portability, faster autofocus, and modern conveniences like GPS and wireless transfer, the HX90V emerges as the smarter, more versatile choice - especially for travel and casual shooting.

Both cameras have their limitations - no RAW capture, modest sensor size, and limited video versatility - but within those constraints, they deliver solid performance.

I recommend weighing your specific priorities and typical shooting scenarios before deciding. The comprehensive testing behind this comparison draws on extensive shootouts, lab measurements, and real lifestyle use cases - aiming to empower your informed purchase with expert clarity.

As always, I welcome any questions from readers looking to dive deeper into particular shooting styles or technical details about these cameras.

Happy shooting!