• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.4 inch 27.1mm2
  • 9.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Sony DSC-HX1

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $499 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 515g
    Lighter weight

Sony DSC-HX1 advantages over Pentax W30

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    230k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    9.1 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax W30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSC-HX1

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-H50

Pentax W30
Sony DSC-H50
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax W30 vs Sony DSC-H50

Sony DSC-HX1
Sony DSC-H50
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Sony DSC-H50

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ28

Pentax W30
Panasonic DMC-FZ28
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $475
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax W30 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ28

Sony DSC-HX1
Panasonic DMC-FZ28
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $475
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ28

Compared to Nikon P90

Pentax W30
Nikon P90
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon P90

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P90
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Pentax W30
Canon SX1 IS
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax W30 vs Canon SX1 IS

Sony DSC-HX1
Canon SX1 IS
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Nikon P100

Pentax W30
Nikon P100
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon P100

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P100
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P100

Compare Other Cameras?