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Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100

Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 Key Specs

Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Released September 2014
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Successor is Sony RX100 II
Photography Glossary

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100, one is a Lens-style and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Sony. The image resolution of the QX30 (20MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is pretty comparable but the QX30 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The QX30 was introduced 2 years after the RX100 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the QX30 scores versus the RX100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Sony RX100

 QX30 RX100 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014August 2012Newer by 25 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Sony QX30

 RX100 QX30 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen size3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution1229k0kSharper screen (+1229k dot)

Common features in the Sony QX30 and Sony RX100

 QX30 RX100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony QX30 enjoys exterior measurements of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony RX100 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the QX30 vs the RX100.

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the QX30 and RX100 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions merely by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the QX30 and RX100.

As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The QX30 comes with the smaller sensor which should make obtaining bokeh more challenging. The newer QX30 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony QX30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Portrait photography camera
38
good MP (20MP)
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
64
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sony QX30 Street photography advice
Sony RX100 Street photography advice
62
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
79
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (240 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony QX30
Sports photography with Sony RX100
47
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
features tracking focus
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony QX30 Travel photography factors
Sony RX100 Travel photography factors
65
comes with touch focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
79
lighter than others (240g)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony QX30 Landscape photography advice
Sony RX100 Landscape photography advice
39
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen ( inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
74
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony QX30
Vlogging with Sony RX100
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
38
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (240 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Sony QX30 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony QX30 and Sony RX100
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Category Lens-style Large Sensor Compact
Released 2014-09-03 2012-08-28
Physical type Lens-style Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.3 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size - 3 inch
Display resolution 0k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes None Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 193g (0.43 pounds) 240g (0.53 pounds)
Physical dimensions 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 390
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 330 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BN, NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $348 $448