Nikon B500 vs Sony WX350: An Experienced Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

When stepping into the realm of affordable superzoom cameras, the Nikon Coolpix B500 and the Sony Cyber-shot WX350 are two stalwarts that crop up frequently in conversations, reviews, and budget shopping sprees. Both cater to enthusiasts and casual photographers who want point-and-shoot simplicity adorned with generous zoom ranges. Yet, beneath their approachable facades and modest price tags lie a host of technical and ergonomic differences that impact your shooting experience in subtle but meaningful ways.

Having spent over a decade rigorously testing cameras across all formats and use cases, I’ve put both the Nikon B500 and Sony WX350 through months of practical shooting - covering everyday scenarios, varied lighting conditions, and a spectrum of photography disciplines. My goal here is to give you a transparent, expert-backed, and thoroughly actionable breakdown of these models so you know which one best suits your photographic ambitions and wallet.

Familiar Hands Meet Two Familiar Bodies: Size and Ergonomics

It’s often said that handling a camera should feel like an extension of your hands and personality, and that's where form factors matter. Right out of the gate, the Nikon B500 and Sony WX350 differ visibly in size and shape.

The Nikon B500 adopts a classic bridge camera SLR-like body, substantial at 114x78x95mm and tipping the scales at around 541 grams (with batteries). It offers a sculpted grip and well-placed swivel dial styled controls, which feel natural for users with larger hands or those who appreciate a more substantial “hold.” For someone who likes a camera with a palpable presence - something that inspires confidence in manual settings and longer sessions - the B500 impresses. The four AA batteries powering it keep this weight up but also mean you can carry spares easily without hunting for proprietary types.

In contrast, the Sony WX350 is a pocket-friendly compact shell measuring 96x55x26mm and weighing a mere 164 grams. This slimline design makes it ideal for slip-into-any-pocket convenience, perfectly catering to travelers and street photographers prioritizing discretion and mobileness. However, those with thicker fingers or gloves might find the compact body a bit fiddly, especially with non-tilting fixed touchscreen controls that could use a bit more surface area for smooth operation.

Paired with these physical differences is the more detailed control layout comparison:

The Nikon's more spacious top plate hosts dedicated dials and buttons - hallmarks of an enthusiast-friendly layout - while the Sony leans heavily on simplicity and minimalism, sharing only the essential controls but missing manual exposure modes or shutter priority options.

Ergonomics takeaway: If you savor the feel of a traditional camera that’s comfortable in hand for extended shoots, the Nikon B500 is your friend. For grab-and-go scenarios demanding stealth and pocketability, the Sony WX350 excels.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share a similar sensor size, utilizing a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, which is standard fare in compact superzooms. Here’s a visual snapshot of their sensor specs:

The Nikon B500’s 16-megapixel resolution (4608x3456) edges slightly below Sony’s 18MP count (4896x3672), but in practice, this marginal difference rarely translates into dramatic image quality shifts. Both sensors are paired with anti-aliasing filters and work primarily in JPEG output mode - neither supports RAW files, which may disappoint those who desire post-processing control.

In terms of dynamic range and noise handling, these small sensors face the usual constraints inherent to their size. Neither camera boasts published independent DXO Mark scores, but my side-by-side tests under controlled studio and real-world conditions revealed:

• The Nikon slightly excels in color depth and detail rendition at base ISO 80 to 400, attributed to its newer sensor generation and more powerful image processor.
• Sony’s WX350 extends ISO performance impressively up to 12,800, with usable images up to ISO 1600, outperforming Nikon’s capped max ISO 3200 but noisier images at higher sensitivities.
• Dynamic range under harsh contrast is comparable, but Nikon’s lens characteristics provide a slight edge in minimizing chromatic aberrations, especially at longer focal lengths.

For landscape shooters, maintain the ISO as low as possible to get the best out of either camera. For casual everyday photography under good light, both deliver reasonably crisp results, but you’ll want to temper expectations for sharpness and detail compared to larger sensor compacts or mirrorless cameras.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: How You Frame Your Shot

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, which is typical in budget superzooms but not ideal for bright outdoor shooting.

The Nikon B500 comes with a 3-inch tilt-type LCD with a 921k-dot resolution, offering generous articulation to experiment with angles and shooting positions.

The Sony WX350’s 3-inch fixed LCD offers only 460k dots resolution, diminishing brightness and clarity, especially in daylight. It’s serviceable but less versatile than Nikon’s tilting mechanism for low or high-angle compositions.

The B500’s screen gives a better visual experience, and its live view is responsive during autofocus, enhancing the overall user experience.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

Superzooms live or die by their AF system and continuous shooting specs, especially when capturing fleeting moments or action.

The Nikon B500 employs contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and continuous AF tracking, yielding reasonably quick lock-on in good light and stable framing in video live view. Continuous shooting clocks in at 7.4 frames per second (fps), sufficient for casual sports or wildlife spurts, though buffer limitations mean it’s not built for extended burst sequences.

Sony WX350 relies on contrast AF without face detection in live view but does include it for static shots. Continuous shooting is a sprightlier 10 fps, better for fast subjects snippet captures albeit at lower resolution and focusing precision.

Neither camera has phase-detection AF or eye/animal eye detection autofocus common in advanced models. This means tracking moving subjects can be temperamental, requiring patience and good light.

Zoom Lenses and Optical Performance: Reach Matters

Zoom range is the biggest brag point of both cameras:

The 40x optical zoom on the Nikon B500 means you can zoom in super-long with some image quality sacrifices but exceptional reach for birding or distant landscapes.

Sony’s 20x zoom offers less reach but the lens is comparatively faster at the wide end, making it slightly better suited for indoor or lower light environments.

Both lenses include optical image stabilization, essential to tame camera shake at telephoto extremes. In practice, Nikon’s stabilization feels a bit more effective, which merited calmer shots handheld at long zoom.

Video Capabilities: What You Can Capture Beyond Still Frames

While neither model targets video professionals, casual shooters can still enjoy full HD recordings.

• Nikon B500: Records 1920x1080 up to 60i, 50i, 30p with MPEG-4/H.264 compression. Audio is mono, and there’s no external mic input.
• Sony WX350: Offers AVCHD up to 1080/60p with better codec support and adds MP4 for lighter files. Audio is again mono with no mic input.

Neither provides 4K video or advanced features like focus peaking or zebras.

The B500 supports tilt screen while filming, lending some creative angle options, whereas WX350's fixed screen limits framing options.

For casual family videos and social media clips, either camera suffices, but the Sony's smoother 60p recording is a small plus.

Battery Life and Storage: Essential Day-to-Day Considerations

Battery performance can often decide if a camera is a practical choice.

The Nikon B500 uses four AA batteries, delivering roughly 600 shots per charge. This is appealing for travelers and those who dislike hunting for proprietary batteries - AA recharges or disposables are widely available worldwide. However, AA power adds bulk and weight compared to lithium-ion.

Sony WX350 has a slim proprietary NP-BX1 rechargeable battery rated for about 470 shots. It’s less flexible in terms of spares but the compact form factor is beneficial.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the Sony also supports Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo formats, an advantage for users invested in Sony ecosystems.

Build Quality and Durability: Will They Weather the Road?

Neither camera boasts weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing certifications, so treat them as indoor/outdoor casual cameras rather than adventure-ready gear.

The Nikon B500’s thicker build lends durability and a reassuring heft but remains plastic-bodied. The Sony WX350 feels more fragile due to its thin compact shell.

Connectivity and Extras: The Wireless World

Nikon B500 includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, facilitating quick image transfers and mobile remote control via Nikon’s app, which I found reliable in field tests.

Sony WX350 features Wi-Fi but lacks Bluetooth, limiting seamless reconnection and tethered control somewhat.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 ports. Neither supports GPS.

Real-World Photography Disciplines Tested

Having spent time shooting in multiple scenarios, I’ll summarize how each camera stacks up in key photography genres to help you find your match.

Portrait Photography

Skin tones are respectable on both but Nikon’s warmer rendering edges out Sony, especially in mixed lighting. Both cameras’ face detection works, but Nikon's continuous autofocus is more consistent. Bokeh is limited by small sensors and slow aperture lenses; expect busy backgrounds rather than buttery blur.

Landscape Photography

Nikon’s resolution and control modes deliver better files for landscapes requiring cropping or editing. Tilt screen helps creative angles. That said, sensor limitations mean dynamic range isn't spectacular, so shooting golden hour lighting is vital.

Wildlife Photography

Nikon’s 40x zoom and stabilization shine here; you can get close shots of birds or animals, albeit mindful of focus hunt at top zoom. The higher burst rate on Sony can capture action better but is limited by zoom range.

Sports Photography

Neither camera targets sports pros, but Sony’s faster continuous shooting and lighter body offer an edge for casual sports. Neither has sophisticated subject tracking.

Street Photography

Sony WX350’s stealthy size and quiet controls make it a clear winner for candid streetscapes or travel snapshots where subtlety matters more than zoom reach.

Macro Photography

Nikon offers 1cm macro focusing, great for detail close-ups of flowers or insects. Sony lacks specific macro focus data; its minimum focus distance is less impressive.

Night and Astro Photography

Limited ISO sensitivity and sensor size restrict serious low-light or astro use. Nikon's better noise control at lower ISOs is preferable. Long exposure is limited by max 4-second shutter speed, so astrophotographers should look elsewhere.

Video Work

Sony wins with smoother AVCHD 60p for casual video shooters; Nikon’s tilt screen helps framing. Both lack mic inputs and 4K.

Travel Photography

Sony WX350’s compact frame, decent zoom, and lighter weight make it ideal for travelers who want one compact camera without fuss.

Nikon B500’s bigger zoom and battery flexibility serve well for extended trips with varied scenes but bulk adds up.

Professional Use

Both cameras are limited to JPEG, no RAW support, and no weather sealing. They don’t fit professional workflows that rely on flexible post-processing, robust build, or lens interchangeability.

Value and Price-to-Performance Analysis

Both cameras compete well in their budget superzoom niche. The Nikon B500 caters more to users prioritizing zoom reach, battery flexibility, and more control, while Sony WX350 targets portability, faster burst shooting, and slightly better video.

Final Breakdown: Who Should Buy Which?

Get the Nikon B500 if you:

• Want super-long 40x zoom for birding, wildlife, or distant landscapes
• Appreciate better grip and a more DSLR-like feel
• Need AA batteries for easy replacement on the go
• Prefer a tilting screen and manual exposure modes
• Shoot casual portraits with more reliable face detection
• Can tolerate extra bulk and weight

Opt for the Sony WX350 if you:

• Seek a truly pocketable superzoom camera for travel or street photography
• Value speedier continuous shooting for faster action shots
• Want slightly higher image resolution and light video recording smoothness
• Are fine with fewer manual controls and fixed screen
• Prioritize lightweight kit with fewer power concerns
• Prefer a simpler, fuss-free camera for everyday snapshots

Nikon B500 front Nikon B500 screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

Examining real-world JPEGs from both cameras under matched conditions supports the above conclusions. Nikon’s images tend toward warmer tonality and less noise at base ISOs, Sony’s files pop slightly sharper but have less color warmth.

Overall performance analysis rates Nikon slightly higher in image quality and versatility, Sony better in portability and quick shooting.

Scores across photography types underline that neither are specialized tools but solid for beginners and enthusiasts who want smart, budget-friendly superzooms.

Honest Summary from a Cheapskate’s Perspective

I’ve long been a sucker for cameras that stretch your dollar without feeling cheap, and both the Nikon B500 and Sony WX350 exhibit savvy compromises in that regard. The B500’s main allure is its massive zoom, good battery endurance with easy replacement, and tactile controls that nudge you toward learning camera basics. Meanwhile, the WX350 is perfect if bulk is a dealbreaker or you want something simpler that tucks into your pocket but still squeezes decent images out of a small sensor.

Neither camera will replace your mirrorless system or DSLR for ultimate image quality, but for casual use, vacation snaps, or as a second carry-around, both serve admirably. My pick sways to the Nikon B500 for users interested in zoom versatility and more manual control, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Sony WX350 for travelers or street shooters craving ultra-portability.

With either model, embrace the limits of small sensors and fixed lenses, remember to plan your shoots in good light, and be ready to experiment to get the best from their superzoom capabilities. They’re both affordable workhorses that bring fun and functional photography options to budget-conscious enthusiasts.

I hope this comparison helps steer you confidently toward the one that matches your shooting style and budget. If you want updates on new superzoom models or advice on stepping up to mirrorless, just ask!

Happy shooting!