Sony HX80 vs Sony RX100 VA

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Sony HX80 versus Sony RX100 VA, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Sony. The image resolution of the HX80 (18MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is very well matched but the HX80 (1/2.3") and RX100 VA (1") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The HX80 was announced 3 years before the RX100 VA which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the HX80 scores versus the RX100 VA in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A). The whole galleries are provided at Sony HX80 Gallery & Sony RX100 VA Gallery.

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony HX80 provides outside measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony RX100 VA has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") along with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check out the Sony HX80 versus Sony RX100 VA in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the HX80 vs the RX100 VA.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HX80 and RX100 VA is 91 and 89 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the HX80 and RX100 VA.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The HX80 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony RX100 VA will resolve greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged HX80 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.