• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 122.9mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 240.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony HX300 advantages over Canon XC10

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $2499 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 240 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    656g vs 1040g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1/2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon XC10 advantages over Sony HX300

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.20 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    20000 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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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.

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
Canon XC10
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

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
Canon XC10
Samsung WB2200F
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

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
Canon XC10
Sony HX400V
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony HX300
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon XC10
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony RX10 II

Sony HX300
Sony RX10 II
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon XC10
Sony RX10 II
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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