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Sony H300 vs HX90V

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2014 and April 2015. Both the H300 and the HX90V are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The H300 has a resolution of 19.9 megapixels, whereas the HX90V provides 18 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Sony H300
versus
Sony HX90V
Sony H300   Sony HX90V
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
25-875mm f/3.4-6.5 24-720mm f/3.5-6.4
19.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 18 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
720/30p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 80-3,200 ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 12,800)
No viewfinder, LCD framing Electronic viewfinder (638k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
0.8 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
350 shots per battery charge360 shots per battery charge
128 x 89 x 92 mm, 590 g 102 x 58 x 36 mm, 245 g
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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-HX90V? 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Sony H300 and the Sony HX90V is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Sony H300 vs Sony HX90V
Compare H300 versus HX90V top
Comparison H300 or HX90V rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony HX90V is considerably smaller (48 percent) than the Sony H300. Moreover, the HX90V is substantially lighter (58 percent) than the H300. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the H300 nor the HX90V are weather-sealed.

The power pack in the HX90V can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image 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 219ebay.com
2.
 
Sony HX90V 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 360 n Apr 2015 429ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX720 110 mm 64 mm 36 mm 270 g 250 n Feb 2016 379ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX610 105 mm 61 mm 27 mm 191 g 270 n Jan 2015 249ebay.com
5.
 
Sony HX99 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 449ebay.com
6.
 
Sony HX95 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 429ebay.com
7.
 
Sony WX800 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 233 g 370 n Oct 2018 399ebay.com
8.
 
Sony HX350 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 652 g 300 n Dec 2016 449ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX1R II 113 mm 65 mm 72 mm 507 g 220 n Oct 2015 3,299ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com
11.
 
Sony HX400V 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 660 g 300 n Feb 2014 499ebay.com
12.
 
Sony H400 130 mm 95 mm 122 mm 628 g 300 n Feb 2014 319ebay.com
13.
 
Sony H200 123 mm 83 mm 87 mm 530 g 240 n Jan 2013 249ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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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 49 percent) than the HX90V, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies 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 HX90V uses a more advanced image processing engine (BIONZ X) than the H300 (BIONZ), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Sony H300 and Sony HX90V sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the H300 offers a higher resolution of 19.9 megapixels, compared with 18 MP of the HX90V. This megapixels advantage translates into a 5 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the H300 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.19μm versus 1.25μm for the HX90V). Moreover, it should be noted that the HX90V is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 1 month) than the H300, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of individual pixels. 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 resolution advantage of the Sony H300 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the H300 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.8 x 19.3 inches or 65.4 x 49.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.6 x 15.5 inches or 52.3 x 39.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.2 x 12.9 inches or 43.6 x 32.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony HX90V are 24.5 x 18.4 inches or 62.2 x 46.6 cm for good quality, 19.6 x 14.7 inches or 49.7 x 37.3 cm for very good quality, and 16.3 x 12.2 inches or 41.5 x 31.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

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-HX90V 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 HX90V 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.

H300 versus HX90V MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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 following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image 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 3864720/30p20.111.463045
2.
 
Sony HX90V 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.211.673847
3.
 
Canon SX720 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.311.881748
4.
 
Canon SX610 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/30p20.211.671247
5.
 
Sony HX99 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105851
6.
 
Sony HX95 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105751
7.
 
Sony WX800 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.2107051
8.
 
Sony HX350 1/2.3 19.9 5152 38641080/60p20.511.989649
9.
 
Sony RX1R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53041080/60p25.813.9320497
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
11.
 
Sony HX400V 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.111.462945
12.
 
Sony H400 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
13.
 
Sony H200 1/2.3 15.2 5184 2930720/30p19.911.252944
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the HX90V provides a better video resolution than the H300. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the H300 is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the HX90V has an electronic viewfinder (638k 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 table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Sony H300 and Sony HX90V in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image 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 H300none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
2.
 
Sony HX90V638 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX720none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX610none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/2000s 2.5/s Y Y
5.
 
Sony HX99638 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Sony HX95638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Sony WX800none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Sony HX350202 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony RX1R II2360 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony HX400V210 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Sony H400210 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/2000s 0.7/s Y Y
13.
 
Sony H200none n3.0 / 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.
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The HX90V has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the H300 does not have a selfie-screen.

Both the H300 and the HX90V have zoom lenses built in. The H300 has a 25-875mm f/3.4-6.5 optic and the HX90V offers a 24-720mm f/3.5-6.4 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the HX90V provides a wider angle of view at the short end than the H300, but less tele-photo reach at the long end. The H300 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the H300 and the HX90V write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The HX90V supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the H300 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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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-HX90V and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image 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--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Sony HX90V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon SX720-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon SX610-- / ---micro2.0YY-
5.
 
Sony HX99-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
6.
 
Sony HX95-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
7.
 
Sony WX800-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
8.
 
Sony HX350-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
9.
 
Sony RX1R IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony HX400VYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
12.
 
Sony H400-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
13.
 
Sony H200-mono / mono---2.0---
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Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the HX90V has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the H300 and the HX90V have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The HX90V was replaced by the Sony HX99, while the H300 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the H300 and HX90V can be found, respectively, in the Sony H300 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony HX90V Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Sony H300 or the Sony HX90V – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Reasons to prefer the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (19.9 vs 18MP) with a 5% higher linear resolution.
  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.4 vs f/3.5).
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (49 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2014).


Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V:

  • 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 (921k vs 460k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/2000s vs 1/1500s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 0.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
  • More compact: Is smaller (102x58mm vs 128x89mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 345g or 58 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 1 month) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the HX90V is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 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 wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

H300 05:16 HX90V

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony H300 and the Sony HX90V 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 partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the H300 or the HX90V. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony H300..+....4.5/54/5 Feb 2014 219ebay.com
2.
 
Sony HX90V4/5+ +....4/54.5/5 Apr 2015 429ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX720..+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2016 379ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX610........4/54/5 Jan 2015 249ebay.com
5.
 
Sony HX99........4/54.5/5 Aug 2018 449ebay.com
6.
 
Sony HX95............ Aug 2018 429ebay.com
7.
 
Sony WX800............ Oct 2018 399ebay.com
8.
 
Sony HX350..........4/5 Dec 2016 449ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX1R II5/5....82/100..4.5/5 Oct 2015 3,299ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
11.
 
Sony HX400V4/5+ +....4/54/5 Feb 2014 499ebay.com
12.
 
Sony H400..o....3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2014 319ebay.com
13.
 
Sony H200........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2013 249ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Sony H300 vs Sony HX90V

    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 Specifications
    Camera Model Sony H300 Sony HX90V
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 25-875mm f/3.4-6.5 24-720mm f/3.5-6.4
    Launch Date February 2014 April 2015
    Launch Price USD 219 USD 429
    Sensor Specs Sony H300 Sony HX90V
    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 18 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5152 x 3864 pixels 4896 x 3672 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.19 μm 1.25 μm
    Pixel Density 70.91 MP/cm2 64.04 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 HX90V
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 638k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Sony H300 Sony HX90V
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/1500s 1/2000s
    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 UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Sony H300 Sony HX90V
    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 Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Geotagging no internal GPS GPS built-in
    Body Specs Sony H300 Sony HX90V
    Battery Type Sony 4xAA Sony NP-BX1
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge360 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 128 x 89 x 92 mm
    (5.0 x 3.5 x 3.6 in)
    102 x 58 x 36 mm
    (4.0 x 2.3 x 1.4 in)
    Camera Weight 590 g (20.8 oz) 245 g (8.6 oz)
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