• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 900.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony HX300 advantages over Nikon B500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 900 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon B500 advantages over Sony HX300

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Sony HX300
Sony HX300

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Buy the Nikon B500
Nikon B500 (Black)
  • Nikon B500 (Black)
  • Nikon B500 (Red)
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Review Excerpt

  • Super-versatile 50x optical zoom lens helps you capture everything from wide-angle cityscapes to zoomed in portraits from what feels like a mile away; Still quite light and portable considering the powerful lens; Comfortable and ergonomic design; Full HD video recording at up to 60p, with good quality.

  • Relatively small, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor delivers average image quality that degrades quickly at high sensitivities; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped; Slow camera to use overall.

  • Read our Sony HX300 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Sony HX300
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony HX300 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Nikon B500
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon B500 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Samsung WB2200F

Sony HX300
Samsung WB2200F
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX300 vs Samsung WB2200F

Nikon B500
Samsung WB2200F
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon B500 vs Samsung WB2200F

Compared to Nikon P530

Sony HX300
Nikon P530
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony HX300 vs Nikon P530

Nikon B500
Nikon P530
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon B500 vs Nikon P530

Compared to Sony HX400V

Sony HX300
Sony HX400V
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX300 vs Sony HX400V

Nikon B500
Sony HX400V
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon B500 vs Sony HX400V

Compared to Nikon L840

Sony HX300
Nikon L840
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony HX300 vs Nikon L840

Nikon B500
Nikon L840
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon B500 vs Nikon L840

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