Sony H300 vs HX350
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2014 and December 2016. Both the H300 and the HX350 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 19.9 megapixels.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Sony H300 and the Sony HX350. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony HX350 is notably larger (6 percent) than the Sony H300. Moreover, the HX350 is markedly heavier (11 percent) than the H300. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the H300 nor the HX350 are weather-sealed.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.
# | Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony H300 | 128 mm | 89 mm | 92 mm | 590 g | 350 | n | Feb 2014 | 219 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony HX350 | 130 mm | 93 mm | 103 mm | 652 g | 300 | n | Dec 2016 | 449 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon SX610 | 105 mm | 61 mm | 27 mm | 191 g | 270 | n | Jan 2015 | 249 | ebay.com | |
4. | Kodak AZ901 | 139 mm | 104 mm | 119 mm | 777 g | 400 | n | Jan 2016 | 499 | amazon.com | |
5. | Nikon B700 | 125 mm | 85 mm | 107 mm | 565 g | 350 | n | Feb 2016 | 499 | ebay.com | |
6. | Panasonic FZ80 | 130 mm | 94 mm | 119 mm | 616 g | 330 | n | Jan 2017 | 399 | ebay.com | |
7. | Sony HX99 | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 242 g | 370 | n | Aug 2018 | 449 | ebay.com | |
8. | Sony HX95 | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 242 g | 370 | n | Aug 2018 | 429 | ebay.com | |
9. | Sony RX1R II | 113 mm | 65 mm | 72 mm | 507 g | 220 | n | Oct 2015 | 3,299 | ebay.com | |
10. | Sony RX100 IV | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 298 g | 280 | n | Jun 2015 | 999 | ebay.com | |
11. | Sony HX90V | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 245 g | 360 | n | Apr 2015 | 429 | ebay.com | |
12. | Sony HX400V | 130 mm | 93 mm | 103 mm | 660 g | 300 | n | Feb 2014 | 499 | ebay.com | |
13. | Sony H400 | 130 mm | 95 mm | 122 mm | 628 g | 300 | n | Feb 2014 | 319 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony H200 | 123 mm | 83 mm | 87 mm | 530 g | 240 | n | Jan 2013 | 249 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The H300 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 51 percent) than the HX350, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.
Technology-wise, the HX350 uses a more advanced image processing engine (BIONZ X) than the H300 (BIONZ), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.
The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 19.9 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the H300 and the HX350 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the HX350 is much more recent (by 2 years and 10 months) than the H300, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 are ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-12800.
In terms of underlying technology, the H300 is build around a CCD sensor, while the HX350 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.
# | Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony H300 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 720/30p | 20.1 | 11.4 | 630 | 45 | |
2. | Sony HX350 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 1080/60p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 896 | 49 | |
3. | Canon SX610 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/30p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 712 | 47 | |
4. | Kodak AZ901 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/30p | 20.3 | 11.7 | 806 | 48 | |
5. | Nikon B700 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.4 | 11.8 | 818 | 48 | |
6. | Panasonic FZ80 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 900 | 49 | |
7. | Sony HX99 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1058 | 51 | |
8. | Sony HX95 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1057 | 51 | |
9. | Sony RX1R II | Full Frame | 42.2 | 7952 | 5304 | 1080/60p | 25.8 | 13.9 | 3204 | 97 | |
10. | Sony RX100 IV | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.6 | 591 | 70 | |
11. | Sony HX90V | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 1080/60p | 20.2 | 11.6 | 738 | 47 | |
12. | Sony HX400V | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.1 | 11.4 | 629 | 45 | |
13. | Sony H400 | 1/2.3 | 19.9 | 5152 | 3864 | 720/30p | 20.1 | 11.4 | 630 | 45 | |
14. | Sony H200 | 1/2.3 | 15.2 | 5184 | 2930 | 720/30p | 19.9 | 11.2 | 529 | 44 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the HX350 provides a better video resolution than the H300. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the H300 is limited to 720/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the HX350 has an electronic viewfinder (202k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the H300 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony H300 and Sony HX350 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
# | Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony H300 | none | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/1500s | 0.8/s | Y | Y | |
2. | Sony HX350 | 202 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon SX610 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 2.5/s | Y | Y | |
4. | Kodak AZ901 | 202 | n | 3.0 / 920 | swivel | n | 1/2000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
5. | Nikon B700 | 921 | n | 3.0 / 921 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
6. | Panasonic FZ80 | 1166 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
7. | Sony HX99 | 638 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
8. | Sony HX95 | 638 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
9. | Sony RX1R II | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
10. | Sony RX100 IV | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1228 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 16.0/s | Y | Y | |
11. | Sony HX90V | 638 | n | 3.0 / 921 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
12. | Sony HX400V | 210 | n | 3.0 / 921 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
13. | Sony H400 | 210 | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 0.7/s | Y | Y | |
14. | Sony H200 | none | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/1500s | 0.8/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
Both the H300 and the HX350 have zoom lenses built in. The H300 has a 25-875mm f/3.4-6.5 optic and the HX350 offers a 24-1200mm f/2.8-6.3 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the HX350 provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the H300. The HX350 offers the faster maximum aperture.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the H300 and the HX350 write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
# | Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony H300 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
2. | Sony HX350 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon SX610 | - | - / - | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
4. | Kodak AZ901 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
5. | Nikon B700 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
6. | Panasonic FZ80 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
7. | Sony HX99 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
8. | Sony HX95 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
9. | Sony RX1R II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
10. | Sony RX100 IV | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
11. | Sony HX90V | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
12. | Sony HX400V | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
13. | Sony H400 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
14. | Sony H200 | - | mono / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - |
It is notable that the H300 offers wifi support, while the HX350 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.
Both the H300 and the HX350 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Sony. Further information on the features and operation of the H300 and HX350 can be found, respectively, in the Sony H300 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony HX350 Manual.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Sony H300 better than the Sony HX350 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.
Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300:
- Less heavy: Is lighter (by 62g or 10 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (350 versus 300) on a single battery charge.
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (51 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2014).
Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350:
- Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (BIONZ X vs BIONZ).
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60p vs 720/30p).
- Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (922k vs 460k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/1500s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 0.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.4).
- Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
- More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
- More modern: Reflects 2 years and 10 months of technical progress since the H300 launch.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the HX350 is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 5 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony H300 and the Sony HX350 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the H300 or the HX350 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
# | Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony H300 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2014 | 219 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony HX350 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Dec 2016 | 449 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon SX610 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2015 | 249 | ebay.com | |
4. | Kodak AZ901 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 3/5 | Jan 2016 | 499 | amazon.com | |
5. | Nikon B700 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2016 | 499 | ebay.com | |
6. | Panasonic FZ80 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 399 | ebay.com | |
7. | Sony HX99 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2018 | 449 | ebay.com | |
8. | Sony HX95 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Aug 2018 | 429 | ebay.com | |
9. | Sony RX1R II | 5/5 | .. | .. | 82/100 | .. | 4.5/5 | Oct 2015 | 3,299 | ebay.com | |
10. | Sony RX100 IV | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2015 | 999 | ebay.com | |
11. | Sony HX90V | 4/5 | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2015 | 429 | ebay.com | |
12. | Sony HX400V | 4/5 | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2014 | 499 | ebay.com | |
13. | Sony H400 | .. | o | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Feb 2014 | 319 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony H200 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Jan 2013 | 249 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 600D vs Sony HX350
- Canon M6 Mark II vs Sony H300
- Leica T vs Sony H300
- Nikon D3300 vs Sony HX350
- Olympus E-620 vs Sony HX350
- Olympus E-M10 vs Sony HX350
- Panasonic FZ2000 vs Sony H300
- Panasonic GH3 vs Sony H300
- Panasonic GX7 vs Sony HX350
- Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony H300
- Pentax MX-1 vs Sony HX350
- Sony H300 vs Sony NEX-5N
Specifications: Sony H300 vs Sony HX350
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Sony H300 | Sony HX350 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | Fixed lens compact camera |
Camera Lens | 25-875mm f/3.4-6.5 | 24-1200mm f/2.8-6.3 |
Launch Date | February 2014 | December 2016 |
Launch Price | USD 219 | USD 449 |
Sensor Specs | Sony H300 | Sony HX350 |
Sensor Technology | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | 1/2.3" Sensor |
Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | 6.17 x 4.55 mm |
Sensor Area | 28.0735 mm2 | 28.0735 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | 7.7 mm |
Crop Factor | 5.6x | 5.6x |
Sensor Resolution | 19.9 Megapixels | 19.9 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 5152 x 3864 pixels | 5152 x 3864 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 1.19 μm | 1.19 μm |
Pixel Density | 70.91 MP/cm2 | 70.91 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
Movie Capability | 720/30p Video | 1080/60p Video |
ISO Setting | 80 - 3,200 ISO | 80 - 3,200 ISO |
ISO Boost | no Enhancement | 80 - 12,800 ISO |
Image Processor | BIONZ | BIONZ X |
Screen Specs | Sony H300 | Sony HX350 |
Viewfinder Type | no viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 202k dots | |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 460k dots | 922k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Tilting screen |
Shooting Specs | Sony H300 | Sony HX350 |
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | Contrast-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 0.8 shutter flaps/s | 10 shutter flaps/s |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | MS or SDXC cards | MS or SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
UHS card support | no | no |
Connectivity Specs | Sony H300 | Sony HX350 |
External Flash | no Hotshoe | no Hotshoe |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | micro HDMI |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | no Wifi |
Body Specs | Sony H300 | Sony HX350 |
Battery Type | Sony 4xAA | Sony NP-BX1 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 350 shots per charge | 300 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
128 x 89 x 92 mm (5.0 x 3.5 x 3.6 in) |
130 x 93 x 103 mm (5.1 x 3.7 x 4.1 in) |
Camera Weight | 590 g (20.8 oz) | 652 g (23.0 oz) |
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