• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 38.00mm - 114.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung S860 advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

  • Less expensive
    $179 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Lighter weight
    123g vs 244g
    Lighter weight

Sony DSC-HX9V advantages over Samsung S860

  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    384 mm vs 114 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k 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 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 38 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • 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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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 Samsung S760

Samsung S860
Samsung S760
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Samsung S860 vs Samsung S760

Sony DSC-HX9V
Samsung S760
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Samsung S760

Compared to Sony DSC-S780

Samsung S860
Sony DSC-S780
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Samsung S860 vs Sony DSC-S780

Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony DSC-S780
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony DSC-S780

Compared to Pentax E50

Samsung S860
Pentax E50
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Samsung S860 vs Pentax E50

Sony DSC-HX9V
Pentax E50
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Pentax E50

Compared to Sony HX10V

Samsung S860
Sony HX10V
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung S860 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 H90

Samsung S860
Sony H90
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung S860 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?