FujiFilm XP10 vs Sony WX500: A Detailed Camera Comparison from My Experience

Choosing between the FujiFilm FinePix XP10 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 might seem like comparing apples and oranges at first glance. One is a rugged waterproof compact launched over a decade ago, designed for adventure and simplicity; the other is a more modern, versatile superzoom compact aimed at travel and everyday use. Having personally tested and evaluated both cameras extensively over the years - including in harsh environments for the XP10, and in travel and street scenarios for the WX500 - I want to share a comprehensive comparison that can help enthusiasts and pros make an informed decision based on practical performance, technical capabilities, and real-world usability.

Let’s dive into the details, including sensor technology, autofocus, ergonomics, and exactly how these cameras perform across various photography styles. I’ll also incorporate sample images and other visuals to guide you clearly through their strengths and weaknesses.

Physical size and ergonomics comparison between FujiFilm XP10 (left) and Sony WX500 (right)

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Right from the jump, the FujiFilm XP10 and Sony WX500 take fundamentally different approaches to body design and usability. Coming in at a feather-light 135 grams, the XP10 is a compact marvel in portability and ruggedness, measuring roughly 96x64x23mm. It was built to withstand adventure: waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even freezeproof. Its durability is exceptional - perfect for underwater shots or rough outdoor conditions where you’d be nervous about exposing typical electronics.

The Sony WX500, on the other hand, is larger and heavier at 236 grams with dimensions of 102x58x36mm. It boasts a plastic but solid feel without any specialized environmental sealing. The WX500 feels more refined, though, with a tilting 3” LCD and controls built for flexibility rather than brute durability.

Both cameras forego electronic viewfinders, relying solely on their LCDs for composition - but the WX500’s bigger, sharper screen (921k dots versus XP10’s 230k) enhances framing and menu navigation significantly.

If you value pocketability paired with ruggedness, the XP10 wins. For a more elaborate feel and better rear display, the WX500 is preferable.

Sensor and Image Quality: Old CCD Meets Modern CMOS

Sensor specifications and image quality discussion

When it comes to sensors, the FujiFilm XP10 employs an older 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor delivering around 12MP, while the Sony WX500 uses a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with an 18MP resolution. Both sensors share the same physical size but differ fundamentally in technology.

From a technical perspective, BSI-CMOS sensors like in the WX500 use back-illuminated design, which improves light gathering and noise performance, especially in low light - a major benefit over the CCD sensor. The higher resolution sensor in the WX500 also provides greater detail potential, though it can be more sensitive to diffraction at smaller apertures.

In practical use, the XP10’s images are serviceable in bright daylight but noticeably noisy and lacking dynamic range once ISO sensitivity climbs beyond 200. The WX500 retains finer detail, richer colors, and better shadow recovery thanks to both its sensor and superior image-processing engine (Sony’s Bionz X processor makes a tangible difference).

Neither camera supports RAW files - a significant limitation for pros who wish to fine-tune post-processing. You’ll be working with JPEGs only, although the WX500’s JPEG output grants more editing headroom from the start.

Zoom and Lens Versatility

The FujiFilm XP10 has a fixed 36-180mm (35mm equivalent) lens with an aperture range of F4.0 to F4.8. It’s a modest 5x zoom offering but paired with waterproof and rugged features, it’s a handy package for casual shooting in extreme conditions. Its macro focus works down to around 9cm, reasonable but not outstanding.

The Sony WX500 aggressively ups the ante with an ultra-zoom 24-720mm (30x) lens, aperture-wise F3.5 to F6.4. This superzoom range is a tremendous advantage if you want to capture everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife, and the macro focus is closer at 5cm. Sony also includes optical stabilization, which meaningfully aids telephoto and handheld shooting.

While the XP10 prioritizes rugged simplicity over optical complexity, the WX500 packs serious zoom versatility - arguably its strongest feature.

Autofocus and Speed: Picking the Sharpest Shots

The XP10 employs a contrast-detection AF system with single-point autofocus and a fixed focus area. There are no face or eye-detection features, and continuous autofocus isn’t supported. The camera has a sluggish 1fps burst shooting rate, meaning it’s not built for fast action photography or moving subjects.

In contrast, the WX500 uses an improved contrast-detect AF with multi-area focusing, face detection included, better tracking capabilities, and continuous autofocus modes. The WX500 supports burst shooting at up to 10fps, a huge asset for wildlife, sports, or street photography where capturing fleeting moments matters.

My experience confirms this: the XP10 feels sluggish and inaccurate for anything beyond static subjects, while the WX500’s autofocus system is noticeably more agile, locking quickly and reliably even in challenging lighting.

LCD Screens and Interface: How Do You Frame and Control?

LCD screen and interface comparison

Without electronic viewfinders, both cameras rely on their rear LCDs for live view and menus. The XP10’s 2.7-inch fixed LCD is quite basic - low resolution and no touch or tilt features. It’s clearly functional but feels dated, interfering with composition in bright light.

The WX500’s larger 3-inch tilting LCD with higher resolution elevates the experience considerably. The tilt makes selfies or creative angles easier, even if it’s not touch-sensitive. Sony’s menu system is complex but well laid out for enthusiasts, while the XP10 adopts a simpler, more limited interface.

If you shoot mostly outdoors in bright conditions or care about interface fluidity, the WX500’s screen is a night-and-day improvement.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

If your photography often takes you into the rain, snow, dust, or the pool, the XP10’s environmental sealing is its killer feature. It’s waterproof down to 3 meters, freezeproof to -10°C, shockproof from drops of 1.5m, and dustproof. This means you can bring the XP10 to places other cameras wouldn’t survive without bulky housings.

The WX500 has no weather sealing or rugged claims. It’s an indoor/outdoor travel camera but definitely needs protection from harsh elements.

Battery Life and Storage

The WX500 shines with its 360-shot battery rating, outperforming the XP10, which doesn’t have a clearly stated official battery life but generally delivers fewer shots per charge due to an older battery design.

Both cameras use standard SD/SDHC cards, but the WX500 also supports Memory Stick Duo cards, a legacy Sony format.

Connectivity: Sharing Your Shots in the Modern Era

The XP10 has no wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. Data transfer means physically connecting via USB 2.0 - slow by today’s standards.

The WX500 offers built-in Wi-Fi with NFC pairing, allowing quick image transfers to smartphones or remote control via Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile app. HDMI output is included for high-quality video playback on TVs. These features make the WX500 far better suited for the modern connected photographer.

Video Capabilities

The FujiFilm XP10 shoots video at a maximum of 1280x720 at 30fps in Motion JPEG format. The video is relatively low quality by today’s standards and offers no advanced features like stabilization or manual control.

The Sony WX500 delivers Full HD 1920x1080 video at 60p and other frame rates, recorded in AVCHD or XAVC S codecs with optical image stabilization. This means substantially smoother, sharper footage for casual video recording.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, limiting more serious video work.

Real-World Photography Use Cases

Let's break down how each camera performs for various photographic disciplines based on hands-on experience:

Portrait Photography

XP10: Without face or eye detection autofocus and its relatively slow lens, portraiture is very basic. Skin tones render flat and a bit muted due to the older CCD sensor. The lack of bokeh control and fixed aperture limits creative expression.

WX500: Offers face detection autofocus and finer image detail. While bokeh control is limited by sensor size and lens, the variety of focal lengths allows better framing. Skin tones are comparatively vibrant with improved color reproduction.

Landscape Photography

The XP10’s ruggedness means you can take it to wild locations without fear, but image quality limits dynamic range and detail. The WX500 offers higher resolution and better low light capabilities but lacks weather sealing, so you might hesitate to expose it outdoors in rough conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The XP10’s slow autofocus and 1fps burst rate are inadequate for capturing fast-moving subjects. The WX500 excels with high zoom range, up to 10fps continuous shooting, and better AF tracking, making it a more practical companion for these genres.

Street Photography

Lightweight, discrete, and rugged, the XP10 might seem handy for street, but its slow AF and weaker IQ limit appeal. The WX500 is more versatile for street work with faster AF and broad zoom, though the slightly larger size makes it less pocketable.

Macro

The WX500’s 5cm minimum focus distance outperforms the XP10’s 9cm, allowing closer detail shots. Optical stabilization in WX500 also helps with sharper handheld macros.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is ideal here due to sensor size and lack of manual long exposure modes. The WX500’s higher ISO capability up to 12800 helps more than the XP10’s 1600 ISO max, but noise will be significant in both.

Video Use

For casual video, the WX500 is a clear winner with Full HD recording and stabilisation. The XP10’s limited 720p video is functional but basic.

Travel Photography

The ruggedness and compactness of the XP10 are great for adventure travel, while the WX500’s zoom versatility, better image quality, and connectivity suit urban and cultural travel photography.

Professional Work

Neither camera competes with professional-grade models. Lack of RAW support, modest sensors, and limited controls mean they best serve as secondary or casual cameras.

Top view design and control layout comparison

Ergonomics and Control Features

Looking at control layouts, the XP10’s minimal buttons and lack of manual exposure options align with its design as a simple waterproof point-and-shoot. There’s no PASM mode, no exposure compensation, no custom white balance - simply put, it’s aimed at users wanting straightforward operation without fuss.

In contrast, the WX500 offers manual exposure modes (aperture, shutter priority, full manual), exposure compensation, bracketing, and custom white balance. This flexibility appeals to enthusiasts looking to learn and control photographic parameters. The physical controls are more intuitive and responsive, though the compact body can feel cramped for large hands.

Overall Performance Metrics

In terms of raw performance - image quality, autofocus, shooting speed - the WX500 outclasses the XP10 as expected for a camera released five years later with modern tech. The XP10’s durability and waterproofing pull its score upward in adventure use cases, but for sheer photographic potential, the WX500 is the better tool.

To summarize specific photography genres:

• Rugged outdoor and underwater: XP10 wins strongly.
• Zoom versatility and sports/wildlife: WX500 dominates.
• Street and travel photography: WX500 recommended for image quality, XP10 if you need ruggedness.
• Macro and video: WX500 offers more features and better quality.

FujiFilm XP10 front FujiFilm XP10 screen back Sony WX500 front Sony WX500 screen back

Price and Value Considerations

The FujiFilm XP10 remains appealing at a street price around $175, making it an affordable rugged camera for casual users or families wanting an indestructible option.

The Sony WX500 is priced close to $350, reflecting its superior image quality, feature set, and zoom flexibility. For those who want an advanced compact camera without weather sealing, it offers strong value.

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the FujiFilm XP10 if:
  You want a compact, rugged, weatherproof camera for adventure, underwater, or harsh environments with no need for advanced controls or stunning image quality. Its robustness and simplicity make it a fail-safe travel companion in challenging settings.

• Choose the Sony WX500 if:
  You want a versatile, high-zoom compact for travel, street, and general photography with better image quality, faster autofocus, more manual controls, and video capabilities. It’s ideal if you prioritize flexibility over extreme durability.

Final Thoughts

Comparing the FujiFilm FinePix XP10 with the Sony WX500 is essentially assessing two generations and philosophies of compact camera design. The XP10 is a rugged tool built to survive tough conditions, sacrificing speed and image quality for toughness and simplicity. The WX500 offers a step up in photographic performance, zoom reach, and usability for those shooting in more controlled environments.

For enthusiasts who prioritize image quality, autofocus, and flexibility, the WX500 remains a solid choice even years after release. Conversely, if your priority is “go-anywhere” durability with decent snapshots, and you expect your camera to take a beating, the XP10 continues to deliver value.

In any case, understanding your specific needs - ruggedness vs photographic versatility - will guide you to the right camera for your journey.

If you want to dive deeper into sample image comparisons or autofocus tests, feel free to reach out. My experiences with these two on-location and in the studio have given me unique insight into where each shines brightest.

Happy shooting!