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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX20VSonyCyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2012June 2015
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 range100–320080–3200
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 21.1 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 Fine or Standard; no RAW. 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 and square stills plus stitched Sweep Panorama
ISO detailOrdinary single-frame ISO 100–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use pixel interpolation and superimposing technologyOrdinary single-frame ISO 80–3200. Multi-shot Noise Reduction extends to ISO 6400 and 12800 using interpolation and composite exposures
Image processorBIONZBIONZ X
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens25–500 mm equivalent24–720 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/3.2–5.8f/3.5–6.4
Optical zoom20×30×
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 enlargementZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens; 11 elements in 10 groups including 5 aspherical elements, five-blade iris; actual 4.1–123 mm. Equivalent still range 24–720 mm at 4:3, 25–750 mm at 3:2, 26.5–795 mm at 16:9 and 27.5–825 mm at 1:1. Customisable lens control ring; digital Clear Image Zoom distinct from optical zoom
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 telephotoAF-S, direct manual focus and manual focus; AF-C in Advanced Sports and movie modes. Nine-point wide, centre, flexible spot S/M/L and expanded flexible spot; Lock-on AF, manual-focus peaking and magnification. Minimum focus from lens front approximately 5 cm wide or 250 cm telephoto
Shutter–Mechanical shutter: Auto 4–1/2000 second, Program 1–1/2000, Manual and shutter-priority 30–1/2000, aperture-priority 8–1/2000. Above ISO 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 burstsApproximately 10 full-resolution photographs per second, up to ten frames. Flash lowers the rate and some modes prohibit bursts. Focus and exposure locked from first frame in Cameralabs testing
Stabilisation detailOptical SteadyShot; Active movie mode adds electronic correctionOptical still-image stabilisation; Intelligent 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, fill, slow, rear-sync and off modes. ISO Auto range approximately 0.3–5.4 m wide or 2.5–3.0 m telephoto; no external-flash shoe
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 modesP/A/S/M for stills and movies; three Memory Recall positions. Multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±3 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 minutesXAVC S 1920 × 1080 at 60p, 30p or 24p/50 Mbps; AVCHD 60p/28 Mbps, 60i or 24p/24 or 17 Mbps. International PAL/NTSC selection switches to 50p/50i/25p; main rate represents NTSC. MP4 includes Full HD 60/30 fps and 720 p30 fps. XAVC S requires Class 10 SDXC. Optical zoom during filming; AVCHD/XAVC clips approximately 29 minutes, MP4 28 Mbps approximately 20 minutes due 4 GB limit. HDMI4 K output is for stills, not 4 K video recording
AudioStereo microphone and mono playback speaker; Dolby Digital stereo in AVCHD or AAC in MP4XAVC S LPCM stereo, AVCHD Dolby Digital stereo or MP4 AAC-LC stereo; microphone reference-level control
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Display detailFixed Xtra Fine TFT LCD with TruBlack; no touchscreen4:3 Xtra Fine TFT LCD tilts upward approximately 180°; five-step brightness control, no touchscreen
Viewfinder detail–Retractable 0.2-type OLED Tru-Finder, 638400 dots, 100% coverage and0.50 × 35 mm-equivalent magnification; eye sensor and −4 to +3 dioptre adjustment. Pop up housing and extend eyepiece to use
Connections and design
Wi-FiNoYes
Battery life (maker's claim)320 photographs390 photographs
Body weight221 g218 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 19 May 2015 announcement specifies sale on 5 June 2015; Sony Hong Kong specifies mid-June after 8 May–7 June pre-orders. June precision retained without treating the Japanese day as a confirmed international first-sale 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 adaptersMemory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC(UHS-I). Memory Stick Micro and microSD/HC/XC require adapters
PortsMicro USB with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and mini HDMI, as specified in original operating instructions; current UK support instead lists micro HDMIMulti/Micro USB with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and micro HDMI; HDMI audio during playback only
Wireless connectionsGPS, compass and GPS log recording; no built-in Wi-Fi. Wireless LAN in the shared operating manual applies only to HX30/HX30V2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, NFC Forum Type 3 and built-in GPS location logging; maker specifies GPS only, without compass. Non-V HX90 is a distinct non-GPS model
Battery life detailNP-BG1 supplied; NP-FG1 optional. Maker CIPA claim approximately 320 photographs or 160 minutes; GPS disabled for the testNP-BX1; maker CIPA claim 390 shots/195 minutes with LCD or360 shots/180 minutes with viewfinder. Actual movie use70 minutes LCD/75 minutes viewfinder; continuous movie105/115 minutes with clip limits
ChargingIn-camera micro USB charging using the supplied AC-UB10/UB10B adapter or a computerIn-camera USB charging and external power with supplied AC adapter and battery
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 dimensions102.0 × 58.1 × 35.5 mm(width × height × depth), CIPA
Weight detailApproximately 221 g camera only, or 254 g including NP-BG1 battery and Memory Stick DuoApproximately218 g camera only, or245 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
MaterialsBody partly uses Sony SoRPlas recycled polycarbonate–
ColoursBlack in Sony’s US launch announcementBlack
In the boxNP-BG1 battery and case, AC-UB10/UB10B adapter, micro USB cable, wrist strap and operating instructions; mains fittings vary by regionNP-BX1, AC-UB10 C/UB10 D adapter, micro USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; regional mains fittings vary

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