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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX20VSonyCyber-shot DSC-W690
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20122012
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution18.2 MP16.1 MP
Largest image4896 × 36724608 × 3456
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 Super HAD CCD, approximately 16.1 million effective and 16.4 million total photosites; optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formatsJPEG stills and MPO 3D images; no RAW. High-resolution Sweep Panorama stitches images rather than increasing single-frame resolutionJPEG; maximum 4608 × 3456 in 4:3 or 4608 × 2592 in 16:9. Sweep Panorama standard 4912 × 1080 or 3424 × 1920, wide 7152 × 1080 or 4912 × 1920, 360-degree horizontal 11520 × 1080
ISO detailOrdinary single-frame ISO 100–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use pixel interpolation and superimposing technologyISO 80–3200 in Auto, ISO 80–800 in Program Auto according to Sony UK specifications
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens25–500 mm equivalent25–250 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/3.2–5.8f/3.3–5.9
Optical zoom20×10×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst10 fps1 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 4.45–44.5 mm; 25–250 mm equivalent for 4:3 photographs and 27.5–275 mm for 16:9 photographs
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 telephotoMultipoint, centre, spot and tracking autofocus with face tracking; approximately 5 cm minimum distance at wide angle or 150 cm at telephoto. AF illuminator, face detection and Smile Shutter
Shutter–Intelligent Auto approximately 2–1/1600 second; Program Auto 1–1/1600 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 1 fps at full resolution; up to 100 continuous frames. Focus, white balance and exposure are fixed from the first frame, flash is disabled and intervals can lengthen with image size. ePHOTOzine measured 1 fps at 16 megapixels
Stabilisation detailOptical SteadyShot; Active movie mode adds electronic correctionOptical SteadyShot; Standard and Active movie modes, with a changed angle of view in Active mode
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 flash with Auto, forced, slow-sync or off; ISO Auto range approximately 0.3–3.3 m wide or 1.5–1.9 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, Easy, Program Auto, scenes, Sweep Panorama and Picture Effects; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps, custom one-push white balance
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps1280 × 720 at 30 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 minutesMaker user guide specifies progressive MPEG-4 MP4 with AAC audio at approximately 30 fps: 1280 × 720 Fine 9 Mbps or Standard 6 Mbps, plus VGA 3 Mbps. Sony Hong Kong launch specifications instead list 25 fps; regional timing differs. Optical zoom during recording
AudioStereo microphone and mono playback speaker; Dolby Digital stereo in AVCHD or AAC in MP4Built-in mono microphone and mono speaker
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneNone
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600230,400
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screen–No
Display detailFixed Xtra Fine TFT LCD with TruBlack; no touchscreenFixed three-inch Clear Photo TFT LCD, 230400 dots; no optical or electronic viewfinder
Connections and design
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)320 photographs220 photographs
Body weight221 g124 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 establishedReleased in 2012. Sony Hong Kong scheduled early April availability in its 29 February announcement; this prospective schedule does not establish the actual first on-sale month
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 27 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO Duo High Speed, PRO-HG Duo, SD, SDHC and SDXC. Memory Stick Micro, Micro Mark2, microSD and microSDHC require an adapter
PortsMicro USB with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and mini HDMI, as specified in original operating instructions; current UK support instead lists micro HDMIMulti-use USB/AV terminal, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and standard-definition composite output; no HDMI
Wireless connectionsGPS, compass and GPS log recording; no built-in Wi-Fi. Wireless LAN in the shared operating manual applies only to HX30/HX30V–
Battery life detailNP-BG1 supplied; NP-FG1 optional. Maker CIPA claim approximately 320 photographs or 160 minutes; GPS disabled for the testSupplied NP-BN lithium-ion battery; maker claim approximately 220 photographs or 110 minutes in normal shooting conditions, identified as CIPA by ePHOTOzine
ChargingIn-camera micro USB charging using the supplied AC-UB10/UB10B adapter or a computerSupplied external battery charger
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 dimensions94.3 × 56.1 × 21.7 mm (width × height × depth); maker launch also quotes 17.5 mm at the thinnest part
Weight detailApproximately 221 g camera only, or 254 g including NP-BG1 battery and Memory Stick DuoApproximately 124 g body-only; approximately 142 g with battery and Memory Stick Duo
MaterialsBody partly uses Sony SoRPlas recycled polycarbonateMetal front and plastic remainder according to ePHOTOzine
ColoursBlack in Sony’s US launch announcementBlack, silver, blue or red; regional availability varies
In the boxNP-BG1 battery and case, AC-UB10/UB10B adapter, micro USB cable, wrist strap and operating instructions; mains fittings vary by regionNP-BN, external battery charger, multi-use USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; AC power cord where supplied

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