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Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500

Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released September 2018
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Replaced the Sony WX350
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Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are designed by Sony. The resolution of the HX99 (18MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is relatively similar but the HX99 (1/2.3-inch) and WX500 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The HX99 was introduced 3 years after the WX500 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the HX99 scores against the WX500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Sony WX500

 HX99 WX500 
LaunchedSeptember 2018April 2015Newer by 42 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Sony HX99

 WX500 HX99 

Common features in the Sony HX99 and Sony WX500

 HX99 WX500 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3.00"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution

Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX99 enjoys exterior measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Sony WX500 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Look at the Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the HX99 compared to the WX500.

Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HX99 and WX500 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by going over specs. The image here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the HX99 and WX500.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The HX99 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler. The more recent HX99 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX99 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Portrait photography camera
53
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
39
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony HX99 Street photography details
Sony WX500 Street photography details
77
screen tilts
built in image stabilization
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (242g)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
69
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (236g)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX99 Sports photography details
Sony WX500 Sports photography details
58
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization
megapixel count good (18MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery life (360 shots)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
lack of phase detect auto focus
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
has tracking focus
great battery pack (360 per charge)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony HX99
Travel photography with Sony WX500
76
great battery life (360 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (242g)
megapixel count good (18MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
great battery pack (360 shots)
lighter than others (236 grams)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX99 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX500 Landscape photography highlights
58
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3.00")
built in image stabilization
megapixel count good (18MP)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (360 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
does not have Time Lapse recording
49
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
great battery pack (360 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX99 Vlogging info
Sony WX500 Vlogging info
76
fairly wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization
comes with face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (242 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have external mic jack
35
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (236 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
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Sony HX99 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX99 and Sony WX500
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2018-09-01 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3-inch 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3.00 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 638 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, XAVC S AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 242 gr (0.53 lbs) 236 gr (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 360 images 360 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BX1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $469 $348