• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 244g
    Lighter weight

Sony DSC-HX9V advantages over Pentax W30

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
    16.2 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Pentax W30

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Buy the Sony DSC-HX9V

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent optical quality; High resolution; High-resolution Panorama mode; Good video quality; Good grip; Fast autofocus.

  • Sluggish user interface and Full HD video mode; Heavy noise suppression; GPS is sometimes slow to sync.

  • Read our Sony DSC-HX9V Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Pentax W30
Panasonic ZS10
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Panasonic ZS10

Sony DSC-HX9V
Panasonic ZS10
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Pentax W30
Panasonic ZS8
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Panasonic ZS8

Sony DSC-HX9V
Panasonic ZS8
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Sony HX10V

Pentax W30
Sony HX10V
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Sony HX10V

Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony HX10V
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony HX10V

Compared to Sony HX20V

Pentax W30
Sony HX20V
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Sony HX20V

Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony HX20V
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony HX20V

Compared to Sony H90

Pentax W30
Sony H90
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Sony H90

Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony H90
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony H90

Compare Other Cameras?