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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX20VSonyCyber-shot DSC-WX500
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20122015
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSExmor 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 back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS; approximately 18.2 million effective and 21.1 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 with Fine or Standard compression; maximum 4896 × 3672 in 4:3, 4896 × 3264 in 3:2, 4896 × 2752 in 16:9 or 3664 × 3664 in 1:1. Sweep Panorama standard, wide or 360-degree up to 11520 × 1080
ISO detailOrdinary single-frame ISO 100–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use pixel interpolation and superimposing technologySingle-exposure settings ISO 80–3200, Auto ISO 80–3200. Multi Frame NR extends to ISO 6400/12800 through processed overlaid burst 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 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* thirty-times optical zoom, eleven elements in ten groups including five aspherical elements; five-blade iris, actual 4.1–123 mm. Equivalent 24–720 mm in 4:3, 25–750 mm in 3:2, 26.5–795 mm in 16:9 or 27.5–825 mm in 1:1. Movie 16:9 Standard 26.5–795 mm, Active 28–1180 mm, Intelligent Active 31–1210 mm; 4:3 Standard 32.5–975 mm, Active 34.5–1450 mm, Intelligent Active 38–1480 mm
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 telephotoContrast-detection AF-S; AF-C only in Advanced Sports and movie modes. Nine-point Wide, centre, Flexible Spot S/M/L and Expand Flexible Spot, with Lock-on AF; approximately 5 cm minimum focus wide or 250 cm telephoto
Shutter–Intelligent Auto 4–1/2000 second; Program Auto 1–1/2000 second; aperture priority 8–1/2000 second; shutter priority and manual 30–1/2000 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 burstsMaximum approximately 10 fps at full resolution for ten frames; this is a brief buffered burst rather than sustained continuous shooting. Some modes prevent burst shooting, and flash reduces its speed
Stabilisation detailOptical SteadyShot; Active movie mode adds electronic correctionOptical SteadyShot for photographs. Intelligent Active movie mode combines optical and electronic compensation, including rotation correction; Sony’s five-axis launch claim applies to movies and includes electronic correction
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 manually raised pop-up flash, Auto, forced, slow-sync, rear-sync or off; ISO Auto range approximately 0.3–5.4 m wide or 2.5–3 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 Auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, Memory Recall 1/2/3, scenes, panorama and automatic/scene movie modes. ±3 EV in 1/3 EV steps; wide-angle F3.5–F8 in aperture priority or manual. Thirteen still-image Picture Effects
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 minutesMaximum 1920 × 1080 progressive at 60p NTSC or 50p PAL. XAVC S up to 50 Mbps; AVCHD up to 28 Mbps and MP4 up to 28 Mbps. Japan also lists 1080p30/p24 XAVC S, interlaced AVCHD and 720p30 MP4; regional frame rates differ and PAL/NTSC can be switched. XAVC S requires a Class 10 or faster SDXC card. Approximately 29-minute clip limit; MP4 28M reaches its 4 GB limit in approximately 20 minutes. Optical zoom works during recording; 4K output is still photographs only
AudioStereo microphone and mono playback speaker; Dolby Digital stereo in AVCHD or AAC in MP4Built-in stereo microphone and mono speaker; XAVC S LPCM two-channel, AVCHD Dolby Digital two-channel or MP4 AAC-LC two-channel audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneNone
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screen–Yes
Display detailFixed Xtra Fine TFT LCD with TruBlack; no touchscreen3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 921600 dots, manual five-step brightness; tilts upward approximately 180 degrees for self-portraits. No touchscreen or viewfinder
Connections and design
Wi-FiNoYes
Battery life (maker's claim)320 photographs400 photographs
Body weight221 g209 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 2015. Sony’s 7 May Hong Kong announcement scheduled mid-June launch after a pre-order period; the prospective date does not establish the actual first on-sale day or 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 adaptersSD, SDHC and SDXC with UHS-I support, microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC with adapters, Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and Memory Stick Micro with 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/micro-USB terminal with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed; micro-HDMI output
Wireless connectionsGPS, compass and GPS log recording; no built-in Wi-Fi. Wireless LAN in the shared operating manual applies only to HX30/HX30VWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC Forum Type 3 Tag for one-touch pairing; smartphone transfer/remote control, TV viewing and computer transfer with compatible software. PlayMemories Camera Apps support and Eye-Fi; no GPS
Battery life detailNP-BG1 supplied; NP-FG1 optional. Maker CIPA claim approximately 320 photographs or 160 minutes; GPS disabled for the testSupplied NP-BX1; approximately 400 photographs or 200 minutes under CIPA conditions, approximately 75 minutes actual movie use or 110 minutes continuous movie use, distinct from per-clip limits
ChargingIn-camera micro USB charging using the supplied AC-UB10/UB10B adapter or a computerIn-camera USB charging and external USB power with supplied AC adapter and battery fitted
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 dimensions101.6 × 58.1 × 35.5 mm (width × height × depth), CIPA compliant
Weight detailApproximately 221 g camera only, or 254 g including NP-BG1 battery and Memory Stick DuoApproximately 209 g body-only; approximately 236 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
MaterialsBody partly uses Sony SoRPlas recycled polycarbonate–
ColoursBlack in Sony’s US launch announcementBlack, white or red; regional choices differ
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-UB10C/UB10D, micro-USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; regional contents differ

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