• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony HX20V advantages over Sony NEX-5R

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Sony NEX-5R advantages over Sony HX20V

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony HX20V
Sony NEX-5N
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony HX10V

Sony HX20V
Sony HX10V
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Sony NEX-5R
Sony HX10V
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony HX30V

Sony HX20V
Sony HX30V
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony NEX-5R
Sony HX30V
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony HX20V
Canon EOS M
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Sony HX20V
Panasonic ZS35
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-5R
Panasonic ZS35
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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