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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 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-HX300SonyCyber-shot DSC-WX500
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20132015
Image and sensor
Camera typeBridgeCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSExmor R CMOS
Effective resolution20.4 MP18.2 MP
Largest image5184 × 38884896 × 3672
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range80–320080–3200
Sensor detail1/2.3-type Exmor R CMOS; approximately 21.1 million total and 20.4 million effective 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 MPF 3D stills; no RAW. High-resolution Sweep Panorama uses stitched output distinct from 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 80–3200; ISO 4000–12800 uses Clear Image technology and multi-frame compositingSingle-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 lens24–1200 mm equivalent24–720 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–6.3f/3.5–6.4
Optical zoom50×30×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst10 fps–
Lens detailCarl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, actual 4.3–215 mm; 15 elements in 10 groups with one Super ED, two ED and three aspherical elements, seven-blade iris. Equivalent 24–1200 mm applies to 4:3 stills; 16:9 stills use 26–1300 mm. Movie field of view changes with aspect ratio and stabilisation mode. Clear Image Zoom and digital zoom are distinct from 50× optical zoomZEISS 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
AutofocusNine-point multi AF, centre, spot and flexible spot; manual focus, subject and face tracking. Minimum AF distance from lens front approximately 1 cm wide or 240 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
ShutterMechanical shutter; Manual and shutter priority 30–1/4000 second, aperture priority 8–1/2000, Program 1–1/4000 and Intelligent Auto 4–1/4000Intelligent 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 detailMaker maximum approximately 10 fps at full resolution for up to ten images; shooting mode and flash affect speed. ePHOTOzine's test did not reach 10 fpsMaximum 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 with dual-group lens correction; Active movie mode adds electronic correction including rotation and changes field of viewOptical 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 flash; ISO Auto range approximately 0.5–8.5 m wide or 2.4–3.5 m telephoto. No external flash shoeBuilt-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 controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and Manual plus memory recall and automatic/scene modes; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV stepsIntelligent 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 Full HD 1920 × 1080 at 60p in Japan or 50p in the UK, 28 Mbps; interlaced 60i/50i modes count fields rather than progressive frames. Japanese MP4 includes 1440 × 1080, 1280 × 720 and VGA at 30 fps; UK specification lists 25 fps. Optical zoom available during recording. Single-clip limit approximately 29 minutes; MP4 12M approximately 15 minutes owing to 2 GB limitMaximum 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
Audio–Built-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
ViewfinderElectronicNone
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detail3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 921600 dots on Sony UK support specification; Sony Japan rounds to approximately 921000. Tilts up and down, without touch input3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 921600 dots, manual five-step brightness; tilts upward approximately 180 degrees for self-portraits. No touchscreen or viewfinder
Viewfinder detail0.2-type electronic finder, approximately 201000-dot equivalent resolution. Manual LCD/finder switching; no automatic eye sensor–
Connections and design
Wi-FiNoYes
Battery life (maker's claim)310 photographs400 photographs
Body weight623 g209 g
Release detailSony Japan's 27 February 2013 announcement gives local sale on 8 March 2013; Hong Kong's 1 March notice states mid-March availability. March precision retained without claiming an international first dayReleased 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 48 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC. Micro versions 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
PortsMulti terminal, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and micro HDMIMulti/micro-USB terminal with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed; micro-HDMI output
Wireless connectionsNo built-in Wi-Fi or GPS; maker supports compatible Eye-Fi cards separatelyWi-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-BX1; maker CIPA approximately 310 photographs with LCD or 400 with EVF. Actual movie-shooting battery claim approximately 50 minutes LCD or 55 minutes EVF, distinct from single-clip limitSupplied 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
ChargingUSB battery charging; shooting power supply requires optional AC-UD10 adapterIn-camera USB charging and external USB power with supplied AC adapter and battery fitted
DimensionsApproximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth, or 103.2 mm depth measured from lens front to rear monitor101.6 × 58.1 × 35.5 mm (width × height × depth), CIPA compliant
Weight detailApproximately 623 g body only or 650 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick DuoApproximately 209 g body-only; approximately 236 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
ColoursBlackBlack, white or red; regional choices differ
In the boxNP-BX1 battery, AC-UB10 family adapter, micro USB cable, shoulder strap, lens cap and instructions; regional mains fittings varyNP-BX1, AC-UB10C/UB10D, micro-USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; regional contents differ

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