Sony FX30 vs Sony a500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony FX30 and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Type of camera

Sony FX30 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony FX30 has a 26 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Sony FX30 has a 110 % larger resolution than Sony a500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony FX30 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a500. Sony FX30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Sony a500 has 200 to 12800.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony FX30
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony FX30 can shoot up to 1 pictures per seconds and Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Sony FX30 or Sony a500 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony FX30 weighs 646 gr (equal to 1.42 lb) which is 3% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Sony FX30 vs Sony a500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony FX30 and Sony a500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Name	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Manufacturer	Sony	Sony
Release Date and Price	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Release Year	2022	2009
Release Date	2022-09-28	2009-08-27
MSRP	1799 USD	549 USD
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Camera Type	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type	BSI-CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	6192 x 4128 pixels	4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels	26 MP	12 MP
Image Processor	BIONZ XR	Bionz
Image	Sony FX30	Sony a500
ISO Range	100 - 32000	200 - 12800
White Balance Presets	8	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis))	Yes (Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	5.5 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	759	9
Lens Mount	Sony E See Compatible Lenses	Sony A See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm	APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated	Tilting
Screen size	3”	3”
Screen dots	N/A	230000
Touch screen	Yes	No
Screen type	N/A	N/A
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	No Viewfinder	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage		95%
Viewfinder Magnification		0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	0	N/A
Photography features	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Frames per second	1 fps	5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	No	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	N/A	12 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Partial Average	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	N/A	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Video recording	No	No
Video format	N/A	N/A
Video resolution	N/A	N/A
Built-in Microphone	Yes	No
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Memory Card	Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC	Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Sony FX30	Sony a500
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac)	No
Remote Control	Supported (no further information)	Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional))
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Sony FX30	Sony a500
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	NP-FZ100	Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	570 shots	520 shots
Width	78 mm	137 mm
Height	130 mm	104 mm
Depth	85 mm	84 mm
Weight	646 gram	630 gram