Sony HX95 Comparison Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX95 is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in August 2018 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 18 megapixel.

Is the Sony HX95 a good camera? The HX95 has a Camera Elo of 2171. This rating puts the HX95 among the top 30 percent of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the HX95 ranks among the top 20 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4.5-star performance rating.

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Sony HX95 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Sony HX95 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Sony HX95	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	US$ 429	ebay.com
2.		Canon G9 X Mark II	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	206 g	235	n	Jan 2017	US$ 529	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	US$ 399	ebay.com
4.		Nikon W300	112 mm	66 mm	29 mm	231 g	280	Y	May 2017	US$ 389	ebay.com
5.		Sony A5000	110 mm	63 mm	36 mm	269 g	420	n	Jan 2014	US$ 449	ebay.com
6.		Sony HX90V	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	360	n	Apr 2015	US$ 429	ebay.com
7.		Sony HX99	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
8.		Sony RX100 II	102 mm	58 mm	38 mm	281 g	350	n	Jun 2013	US$ 749	ebay.com
9.		Sony RX100 III	102 mm	58 mm	41 mm	290 g	320	n	May 2014	US$ 799	ebay.com
10.		Sony WX800	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	233 g	370	n	Oct 2018	US$ 399	ebay.com
11.		Sony ZV-1F	106 mm	60 mm	46 mm	256 g	360	n	Oct 2022	US$ 499	amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Sony HX95 was launched in the US market at a price of $429. 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.

Check HX95 offers at
ebay.com

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have 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 are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Sony HX95 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Sony HX95 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Sony HX95	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1057	51
2.		Canon G9 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.9	12.5	522	65
3.		Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.5	11.9	924	50
4.		Nikon W300	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	20.5	12.0	938	50
5.		Sony A5000	APS-C	19.8	5456	3632	1080/60i	23.8	13.0	1089	79
6.		Sony HX90V	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	738	47
7.		Sony HX99	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1058	51
8.		Sony RX100 II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	22.5	12.4	483	67
9.		Sony RX100 III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	22.4	12.3	495	67
10.		Sony WX800	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	20.6	12.2	1070	51
11.		Sony ZV-1F	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.3	12.8	904	67
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The HX95 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the HX95 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Sony HX95 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		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 HX95	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
2.		Canon G9 X Mark II	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	8.2/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon SX730	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
4.		Nikon W300	none	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
5.		Sony A5000	none	n	3.0 / 461	tilting	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
6.		Sony HX90V	638	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
7.		Sony HX99	638	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
8.		Sony RX100 II	optional	n	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
9.		Sony RX100 III	1440	n	3.0 / 1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
10.		Sony WX800	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Sony ZV-1F	none	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	Y	1/2000s	16.0/s	n	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The LCD screen on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX95 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

One convenient feature of the HX95 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

Connection 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-HX95 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Sony HX95	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
2.		Canon G9 X Mark II	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
3.		Canon SX730	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
4.		Nikon W300	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Sony A5000	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
6.		Sony HX90V	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Sony HX99	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
8.		Sony RX100 II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Sony RX100 III	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Sony WX800	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Sony ZV-1F	-	stereo / mono	Y	-	-	3.0	Y	-	Y

It is notable that the HX95 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The HX95 has a zoom lens built in (4.3-118mm f/3.5-6.4), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 720mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the HX95 can be found in the free online Sony HX95 Manual or on the Sony support site.

Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the HX95 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

Review Scores

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Sony HX95	..	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2018	US$ 429	ebay.com
2.		Canon G9 X Mark II	4/5	..	4/5	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	US$ 529	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX730	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	US$ 399	ebay.com
4.		Nikon W300	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	US$ 389	ebay.com
5.		Sony A5000	3/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2014	US$ 449	ebay.com
6.		Sony HX90V	4/5	+ +	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2015	US$ 429	ebay.com
7.		Sony HX99	..	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
8.		Sony RX100 II	5/5	+ +	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2013	US$ 749	ebay.com
9.		Sony RX100 III	5/5	+ +	..	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	May 2014	US$ 799	ebay.com
10.		Sony WX800	..	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	US$ 399	ebay.com
11.		Sony ZV-1F	..	..	4/5	78/100	..	4/5	Oct 2022	US$ 499	amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Check HX95 offers at
ebay.com

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. An 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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