• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony HX30V advantages over Canon G5X Mark II

  • More telephoto lens reach
    500 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 46 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    250g vs 340g
    Lighter weight

Canon G5X Mark II advantages over Sony HX30V

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.2
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    122 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/25600 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Solid build; Fast autofocus; Excellent zoom range and functionality; Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Useful creative effects modes.

  • Image quality not as good as predecessor; No electronic viewfinder; Confusing menu system and user manual.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony HX30V
Sony DSC-HX9V
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Canon G5X Mark II
Sony DSC-HX9V
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony HX10V

Sony HX30V
Sony HX10V
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Canon G5X Mark II
Sony HX10V
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony HX20V

Sony HX30V
Sony HX20V
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
Canon G5X Mark II
Sony HX20V
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Sony HX30V
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $961
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon G5X Mark II
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $961
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Canon G7X Mark III

Sony HX30V
Canon G7X Mark III
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1038
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon G5X Mark II
Canon G7X Mark III
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1038
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
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