Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V

Released March 2012

A pocket travel camera with a stabilised 20× zoom, GPS route logging, Wi-Fi image transfer and progressive Full HD video.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.3-type
Megapixels: 18.2
Lens: 25–500 mm equivalent
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Body weight: 221 g

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.3-type
Sensor type: Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Effective resolution: 18.2 MP
Largest image: 4896 × 3672
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–3200
Sensor detail: 1/2.3-type Exmor R CMOS; approximately 18.9 million total photosites. Optical format is distinct from physical sensor dimensions
Image formats: JPEG stills and MPF 3D images; no RAW. High-resolution Sweep Panorama produces stitched 10480 × 4096 images, distinct from single-frame resolution
ISO detail: Ordinary single-frame ISO 100–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use Clear Image technology with multi-frame compositing
Image processor: BIONZ

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 25–500 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/3.2–5.8
Optical zoom: 20×
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 10 fps
Lens detail: Sony G lens; actual 4.45–89 mm; 12 elements in 9 groups including 4 aspherical elements. Equivalent still-photo range is 25–500 mm at 4:3 or 27.5–550 mm at 16:9. Clear Image Zoom extends to 40× using digital enlargement
Autofocus: Nine-area multi AF, centre AF, flexible spot, manual and semi-manual focus, subject and face tracking. Focus distance from lens front approximately 1 cm wide or 170 cm telephoto
Shutter: Mechanical shutter; Auto 4–1/1600 second, Program 1–1/1600 and Manual 30–1/1600. At ISO above 3200 the slowest shutter is 1/4 second
Burst detail: Up to ten full-resolution images at 10 fps. Focus, white balance and exposure remain fixed from the first frame; flash disabled. Internal-memory bursts use VGA resolution; compatible memory card required for full-resolution bursts
Stabilisation detail: Optical SteadyShot for stills; Active movie mode combines optical and electronic correction including rotation
Flash: Built-in pop-up flash; Auto, forced, off and slow-sync. ISO Auto range approximately 0.4–7.1 m wide or 1.5–3.9 m telephoto
Exposure controls: Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, Program and Manual plus scene modes, picture effects and panorama. Multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detail: AVCHD 2.0 records 1920 × 1080 at region-dependent 60p or 50p, 28 Mbps; main rate represents the 60p version. FX/FH use 60i or 50i at 24/17 Mbps; HQ uses 1440 × 1080 interlaced at 9 Mbps. Interlaced rates count fields. MP4 includes 1440 × 1080, 720p and VGA; Japan specifies 30 fps. Standard 16:9 movie angle is 27.5–550 mm equivalent; Active correction changes it to 28–784 mm. Optical zoom available while filming; clips approximately 29 minutes
Audio: Stereo microphone and mono playback speaker; Dolby Digital stereo in AVCHD or AAC in MP4

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 921,000
Touchscreen: No
Display detail: Xtra Fine TFT LCD with TruBlack; maker archive approximately 921000 dots, original operating instructions 921600 dots

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: Yes
Battery life (maker's claim): 320 photographs
Body weight: 221 g
Release detail: Sony Japan’s 28 February 2012 announcement specifies sale on 16 March 2012. March precision is retained without treating that Japanese day as a confirmed international first day
Recording media: Approximately 105 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo plus SD, SDHC and SDXC. Memory Stick Micro, microSD and microSDHC require separate adapters
Ports: Micro USB, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and mini HDMI
Wireless connections: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi for image transfer; GPS, digital compass and route logging. TransferJet needs a compatible optional Memory Stick; Eye-Fi support uses a separate card
Battery life detail: NP-BG1 supplied; NP-FG1 optional. Maker CIPA claim approximately 320 photographs or 160 minutes; continuous movie recording approximately 75 minutes, with individual clips limited to approximately 29 minutes
Charging: In-camera micro USB charging with the camera off, using the supplied AC-UB10/UB10B adapter or a computer. Supplied adapter supports playback power; optional AC-UD10 supports shooting and playback power
Dimensions: Approximately 106.6 × 61.9 × 34.6 mm (width × height × depth); thinnest part 27.4 mm excluding protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 221 g camera only, or 254 g including NP-BG1 and Memory Stick Duo
Colours: Black; brown also listed for Japan
In the box: NP-BG1 battery, AC-UB10/UB10B adapter, micro USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; mains fittings vary by region

Pros and cons

Pros

25–500 mm equivalent optical zoom
GPS, compass and Wi-Fi image transfer
Manual exposure and Full HD progressive video

Cons

No RAW recording
Full-speed bursts stop after ten photographs
No viewfinder or touchscreen

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H90	Compact	1/2.3-type	16.1	24–384 mm equivalent	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	192 g	2012
SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX10V	Compact	1/2.3-type	18.2	24–384 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080	204 g	2012
SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX20V	Compact	1/2.3-type	18.2	25–500 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	221 g	Mar 2012

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V in brown, front three-quarter view: Sony Japan exact-model image index; original 740 × 555 pixels; named finish/configuration; complete supplied canvas and background retained.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V in black, front three-quarter view: Sony Japan exact-model image index; original 740 × 555 pixels; named finish/configuration; complete supplied canvas and background retained.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V in black, rear three-quarter view: Sony Japan exact-model image index; original 740 × 555 pixels; named finish/configuration; complete supplied canvas and background retained.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V held while photographing a duck, with rear screen visible: Sony official product photograph
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front lens close-up in dark studio lighting: Sony official product photograph
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V mode dial close-up: Sony official product photograph
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V custom button and top edge close-up: Sony official product photograph
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V brown rear view with photograph displayed on screen: Sony official product photograph

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