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Sony HX30V

 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
 
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Older Model is Sony HX20V
  • Successor is Sony HX50V
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony HX30V overview

Sony HX30V is Sony's Small Sensor Superzoom camera initially released on February of 2012. The camera has got a 18MP, BSI-CMOS 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a peak resolution of 4896 x 3672.

Sony launched this camera in order to upgrade the earlier Sony HX20V (Read Full Comparison) & afterwards introduced the fresher Sony HX50V (Read Full Comparison) in order to upgrade this camera.

The HX30V is ranked #62 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras & all-around #536 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. You can try our Smart camera finder to see camera listings based on your personal requirements.

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Here is a diagram of different criteria used in the scoring system.

Sony HX30V family

The Sony HX30V is part of a family of cameras. You can read the detailed range below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX350 front thumbnailSony HX350
HX30V vs HX350
24-1200mm
F2.8-6.3
20MP1/2.3"2016
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX80 front thumbnailSony HX80
HX30V vs HX80
24-720mm
F3.5-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2016
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX90V front thumbnailSony HX90V
HX30V vs HX90V
24-720mm
F3.5-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2015
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H300 front thumbnailSony H300
HX30V vs H300
25-875mm
F3-5.9
20MP1/2.3"2014
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H400 front thumbnailSony H400
HX30V vs H400
25-1550mm
F3.4-6.5
20MP1/2.3"2014
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX400V front thumbnailSony HX400V
HX30V vs HX400V
24-1200mm
F2.8-6.3
20MP1/2.3"2014
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX50V front thumbnailSony HX50V
HX30V vs HX50V
24-720mm
F3.5 - 6.3
20MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX300 front thumbnailSony HX300
HX30V vs HX300
24-1200mm
F2.8-6.3
20MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H200 front thumbnailSony H200
HX30V vs H200
24-633mm
F3.1-5.9
20MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX20V front thumbnailSony HX20V
HX30V vs HX20V
25-500mm
F3.2-5.8
18MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX200V front thumbnailSony HX200V
HX30V vs HX200V
27-810mm
F2.8-5.6
18MP1/2.3"2012
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX30V front thumbnailSony HX30V25-500mm
F3.2-5.8
18MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H90 front thumbnailSony H90
HX30V vs H90
24-384mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX10V front thumbnailSony HX10V
HX30V vs HX10V
24-400mm
F3.3-5.9
18MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX100V front thumbnailSony HX100V
HX30V vs HX100V
27-810mm
F2.8-5.6
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX7V front thumbnailSony HX7V
HX30V vs HX7V
25-250mm
F3.5-5.5
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX9V front thumbnailSony HX9V
HX30V vs HX9V
24-384mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H70 front thumbnailSony H70
HX30V vs H70
25-250mm
F3.5-5.5
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H55 front thumbnailSony H55
HX30V vs H55
25-250mm
F3.5-5.5
14MP1/2.3"2010
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H20 front thumbnailSony H20
HX30V vs H20
38-380mm
F3.5-4.4
10MP1/2.3"2009
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H50 front thumbnailSony H50
HX30V vs H50
31-465mm
F2.7-4.5
9MP1/2.3"2009

Sony HX30V Pros and Cons

Below is a collection of upsides and downsides of the Sony HX30V based on aspects that are generally seen as crucial in a camera.

amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decently wide (25mm)
flash built-in
good resolution screen (922 k dots)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
great min ISO (100)
has HDMI out
lighter than average (254 grams)
long reach (500mm)
manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
offers tracking focus
screen size is good (3 inches)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed screen
lacks phase detect autofocus
lacks RAW format
no aperture priority mode
no external flash support
no headphone support
no mic support
no shutter priority mode
no Time Lapse mode
slow at tele end (f5.8)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sony HX30V Sensor specifications

The Sony HX30V is run by the BIONZ chip. The sensor spec in the Sony HX30V is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 4896 x 3672 pixels at aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera comes with Image Stabilization (Optical). In body stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization as the latter can produce cropping.

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The BSI-CMOS sensor has 18 megapixels and provides a native ISO range of 100 - 12800. Sadly, RAW format is not saved therefore you have less margin for error.

The picture below shows the HX30V's sensor dimensions in comparison to other common sizes. The HX30V sensor has a crop factor of 5.8 and is pointed out in green.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V sensor size Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

To get an idea of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Sony HX30V dimensions

Sony HX30V weighs about 0.56 pounds (254 grams or 8.96 oz) & has external dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4"). The weight of general Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387 grams so the Sony HX30V is lighter compared with other rivals.

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Listed below is a visual of the Sony HX30V alongside a soda so you're able to get a feel for its scale.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V dimensions scale

The top view below will illustrate the button arrangement on the HX30V.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V topview buttons dials

Sony HX30V Lens specifications

The HX30V includes a built in lens and a focal range of 25-500mm making it a 20.0 x zoom which is ideal and is going to let you zoom right in.

At the widest 25mm, the lens comes with an aperture of f3.2 which is rather slow and not the best for low light situations and you will struggle to get a shallow depth of field. You will likely also have to up the ISO setting giving you noisy files. At the tele end, 500mm is superb zoom and comes at f5.8 making it pretty sluggish and you might need to choose slow shutter speeds.

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Sony HX30V Connectivity

The HX30V has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • Wireless Yes
  • HDMI Yes
  • GPS Yes

Cameras which include NFC and Bluetooth compatibility are able to be controlled wirelessly by smartphones. You will be able to copy photos and at times alter settings without connecting straight to the camera.

Many applications even enable a Liveview and press the shutter whenever you aren't close to the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI port, it can easily be connected to an external screen. Nearly all cameras will allow you to charge the battery through the USB socket.

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Sony HX30V Video specifications

The highest video quality in the Sony HX30V is 1920 x 1080 and you can capture in MPEG-4 and AVCHD format. 1080p quality gives a great balance in quality vs file sizes but FULL HD won't leave you with any room to crop. The camera doesn't include a microphone and headphone socket which means that you get no control over the sound. It is probably a better idea to find a different camera should you want good sound for your video clips.

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Sony HX30V Weather Sealing

There is no weather proofing on the Sony HX30V so you need to be cautious in rainy or dusty conditions.

Sony HX30V Display and Viewfinder

The Sony HX30V has got a 3" fixed screen boasting a resolution of 922k dots.

Please note that the screen has no touch support.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V screen and viewfinder Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

The ViewFinder details for Sony HX30V are as follows:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders are quite useful in bright outdoor conditions which may make the camera display washed out and hard to see.

Sony HX30V Shutter specifications

Sony HX30V has the capability to shoot continuously at 10.0 frames/s. The max shutter speed is 1/1600 sec.

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Sony HX30V Flash and Hot shoe specifications

Sony HX30V comes with only built in flash lacking external flash ability.

Sony HX30V Autofocus specifications

Sony HX30V comes with just Contrast Based Auto Focus & lacks Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is more faster and exact compared with Contrast Based autofocusing. The camera has got Face detect which can be valuable for portraits.

It has got 9 focus points to pick from. It also features Tracking Auto Focus for objects on the move. Sony HX30V includes manual focusing in case it is required in low light situations or you want to have more precise control on focusing.

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Sony HX30V Battery life

The battery power (NP-BG1) on the Sony HX30V is fashioned to last for 320 photos based on the CIPA benchmarks which is on par with it's competition. The typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR offers the highest (600) battery life in this kind of cameras.

Following is a number of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras that have the best battery life:

Sony HX30V for different forms of photography

The following bar chart shows a summation of the Sony HX30V for different forms of photography. To read more, have a look at the specific section below.

Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice

The Sony HX30V receives a points total of 45 which is awful, and means the camera is just not acceptable for portrait photos. Photographing portraits leans greatly towards sensor specs, RAW support along with the option to work with off-camera flash.

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focusing manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support

Sony HX30V Street photography factors

Coming in at a above average score of 61, the Sony HX30V is a very decent choice for street photography. A very good street photography camera has a fine balance of image quality plus portability.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files

Sports photography with Sony HX30V

A reasonable sports photography points total of 49 means the Sony HX30V is fairly appropriate for photographing sports. A camera must have good focusing and fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

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incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF

Sony HX30V as a Travel photography camera

Size is really crucial when picking a travel camera. Over-all, the Sony HX30V gets a nice 69 as a travelling camera which is a respectable fit to take with you on your holidays.

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lighter than others in class (254g)
resolution is good (18MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)

Sony HX30V Landscape photography info

For anyone who is planning to pick a digital camera for landscape pictures, the most important factor will be image quality. The Sony HX30V with it's decent grade of 50 as a landscape camera is relatively suited among its rivals.

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manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording

Sony HX30V Vlogging advice

A vlogging camera preferably should have a articulating display, mic port and preferably IBIS. Taking everything into account, the Sony HX30V is just not acceptable as a vlog camera as it receives a awful score of 34.

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relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port

Sony HX30V Alternatives

If you are in the market for replacements to the HX30V, here is a selection of the top rated cameras which fall into the class of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The chart listed below will give you an overview of the HX30V compared to it's highest ranked competitors listed earlier.

There are a bunch of cameras you might see as alternatives. To browse through a full comparison, simply click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Make
Sony
Model type
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class
Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed
2012-02-28
Physical type
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
BSI-CMOS
Processor
BIONZ
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution
4896 x 3672
RAW support
Maximum native ISO
12800
Min native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points
9
Lens
Lens support
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture
f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range
1cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display sizing
3 inches
Display resolution
922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology
XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Lowest shutter speed
30 secs
Highest shutter speed
1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate
10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance
7.10 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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)
Maximum video resolution
1920x1080
Video file format
MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions
107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
Other
Battery life
320 images
Type of battery
Battery Pack
Battery ID
NP-BG1
Self timer
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
Card slots
1
Cost at launch
$420