• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 30.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S8100 advantages over Sony HX20V

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony HX20V advantages over Nikon S8100

  • More telephoto lens reach
    500 mm vs 300 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S8100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX20V

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-HX5V

Nikon S8100
Sony DSC-HX5V
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S8100 vs Sony DSC-HX5V

Sony HX20V
Sony DSC-HX5V
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX20V vs Sony DSC-HX5V

Compared to Sony DSC-H55

Nikon S8100
Sony DSC-H55
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S8100 vs Sony DSC-H55

Sony HX20V
Sony DSC-H55
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony HX20V vs Sony DSC-H55

Compared to Ricoh CX5

Nikon S8100
Ricoh CX5
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon S8100 vs Ricoh CX5

Sony HX20V
Ricoh CX5
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX20V vs Ricoh CX5

Compared to Sony HX30V

Nikon S8100
Sony HX30V
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon S8100 vs Sony HX30V

Sony HX20V
Sony HX30V
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX20V vs Sony HX30V

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Nikon S8100
Panasonic ZS35
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon S8100 vs Panasonic ZS35

Sony HX20V
Panasonic ZS35
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony HX20V vs Panasonic ZS35

Compare Other Cameras?