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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX20VSonyCyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2012March 2012
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Effective resolution18.2 MP18.2 MP
Largest image4896 × 36724896 × 3672
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–3200100–3200
Sensor detail1/2.3-type Exmor R CMOS with approximately 18.9 million total photosites; optical format is distinct from physical sensor dimensions1/2.3-type Exmor R CMOS; approximately 18.9 million total photosites. Optical format is distinct from physical sensor dimensions
Image formatsJPEG stills and MPO 3D images; no RAW. High-resolution Sweep Panorama stitches images rather than increasing single-frame resolutionJPEG stills and MPF 3D images; no RAW. High-resolution Sweep Panorama produces stitched 10480 × 4096 images, distinct from single-frame resolution
ISO detailOrdinary single-frame ISO 100–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use pixel interpolation and superimposing technologyOrdinary single-frame ISO 100–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use Clear Image technology with multi-frame compositing
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens25–500 mm equivalent25–500 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/3.2–5.8f/3.2–5.8
Optical zoom20×20×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst10 fps10 fps
Lens detailSony G lens; actual focal length 4.45–89 mm. Movie equivalent range with Standard SteadyShot is 27.5–550 mm at 16:9 or 34–680 mm at 4:3. Clear Image Zoom is digital enlargementSony 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
AutofocusMulti-area, centre and flexible-spot AF with manual focus, face detection and subject tracking. Approximate minimum focusing distance from lens front 1 cm wide or 170 cm telephotoNine-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 detailUp 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, so compatible card required for full-resolution burstsUp 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 detailOptical SteadyShot; Active movie mode adds electronic correctionOptical SteadyShot for stills; Active movie mode combines optical and electronic correction including rotation
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash. Original operating manual specifies ISO Auto range approximately 0.4–7.1 m wide or 1.5–3.9 m telephoto; current UK support lists 1.7 m as the telephoto near limitBuilt-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 controlsIntelligent Auto, Superior Auto, Program, Manual, scenes and panorama. Manual aperture uses two settings with an ND filter; no aperture- or shutter-priority exposure modesIntelligent 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 resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailAVCHD 2.0 records 1920 × 1080 at region-dependent 60p or 50p; main rate represents the 60p version. Interlaced 60i/50i modes count fields. MP4 also supported; optical zoom available during filming. Clips limited to approximately 29 minutesAVCHD 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
AudioStereo microphone and mono playback speaker; Dolby Digital stereo in AVCHD or AAC in MP4Stereo microphone and mono playback speaker; Dolby Digital stereo in AVCHD or AAC in MP4
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneNone
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,000
TouchscreenNoNo
Display detailFixed Xtra Fine TFT LCD with TruBlack; no touchscreenXtra Fine TFT LCD with TruBlack; maker archive approximately 921000 dots, original operating instructions 921600 dots
Connections and design
Wi-FiNoYes
Battery life (maker's claim)320 photographs320 photographs
Body weight221 g221 g
Release detailSony Asia Pacific’s 28 February 2012 announcement lists availability from March 2012. Sony’s US announcement instead lists May 2012; no exact first-sale day is establishedSony 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 mediaApproximately 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 adaptersApproximately 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
PortsMicro USB with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and mini HDMI, as specified in original operating instructions; current UK support instead lists micro HDMIMicro USB, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and mini HDMI
Wireless connectionsGPS, compass and GPS log recording; no built-in Wi-Fi. Wireless LAN in the shared operating manual applies only to HX30/HX30VIEEE 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 detailNP-BG1 supplied; NP-FG1 optional. Maker CIPA claim approximately 320 photographs or 160 minutes; GPS disabled for the testNP-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
ChargingIn-camera micro USB charging using the supplied AC-UB10/UB10B adapter or a computerIn-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
Dimensions106.6 × 61.9 × 34.6 mm (width × height × depth) in original operating instructions; current UK support lists incompatible 92.9 × 54.4 × 13.4 mm dimensionsApproximately 106.6 × 61.9 × 34.6 mm (width × height × depth); thinnest part 27.4 mm excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 221 g camera only, or 254 g including NP-BG1 battery and Memory Stick DuoApproximately 221 g camera only, or 254 g including NP-BG1 and Memory Stick Duo
MaterialsBody partly uses Sony SoRPlas recycled polycarbonate–
ColoursBlack in Sony’s US launch announcementBlack; brown also listed for Japan
In the boxNP-BG1 battery and case, AC-UB10/UB10B adapter, micro USB cable, wrist strap and operating instructions; mains fittings vary by regionNP-BG1 battery, AC-UB10/UB10B adapter, micro USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; mains fittings vary by region

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