• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 27.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Sony HX200V

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.55 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 450 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.49 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Sony HX200V advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Less expensive
    $480 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
    18.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely versatile superzoom that covers everything from wide angle to mega-telephoto; Portable design doesn't sacrifice comfort; Detailed images thanks to high-resolution 18.2MP BSI CMOS sensor.

  • Slow to use overall; Poor image quality at high ISOs; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display
Sony HX200V
Pentax K20D
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
Sony HX200V
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Sony DSLR-A500
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Sony HX200V
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
Sony HX200V
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony HX100V

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony HX100V
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
Sony HX200V
Sony HX100V
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
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