• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1248.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony HX300 advantages over Pentax XG-1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 153k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax XG-1 advantages over Sony HX300

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Super-versatile 50x optical zoom lens helps you capture everything from wide-angle cityscapes to zoomed in portraits from what feels like a mile away; Still quite light and portable considering the powerful lens; Comfortable and ergonomic design; Full HD video recording at up to 60p, with good quality.

  • Relatively small, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor delivers average image quality that degrades quickly at high sensitivities; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped; Slow camera to use overall.

The Competition

Compared to Leica V-LUX 3

Sony HX300
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • RAW file ability
Pentax XG-1
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Sony HX300
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability
Pentax XG-1
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability

Compared to Samsung WB2200F

Sony HX300
Samsung WB2200F
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Pentax XG-1
Samsung WB2200F
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compared to Sony HX400V

Sony HX300
Sony HX400V
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Pentax XG-1
Sony HX400V
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Fujifilm S9900W

Sony HX300
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher-res screen
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax XG-1
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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