Nikon P7100 vs Sony WX500: A Hands-On Journey Through Two Compact Cameras

When it comes to compact cameras that deliver versatility without stretching your budget into DSLR territory, the Nikon Coolpix P7100 and Sony Cyber-shot WX500 represent two distinct approaches from different eras and manufacturers. I’ve spent extensive hours pushing both to their limits and beyond, and today I want to bring you an in-depth comparison rooted in practical use, technical breakdowns, and the nuances only experience can reveal.

Whether you’re hunting for a pocketable travel companion or a solid compact for everyday shooting, by the end of this read, you’ll have a clear picture of which model suits your style, genre priorities, and shooting conditions.

Getting a Feel: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Size and comfort aren’t just about aesthetics - they directly influence your shooting experience and whether you want to carry the camera daily.

Right off the bat, the Nikon P7100 feels robust and a touch chunkier at 116x77x48mm and 395g weight, compared to the sleeker 102x58x36mm, 236g Sony WX500. The Nikon’s heft is noticeable but appreciated if you like a confident grip. Its dedicated dials and buttons mean you rarely have to dive into menus to change key settings - something I personally prefer for quick adjustments in fast-paced scenarios.

The WX500, meanwhile, takes the ultra-compact superzoom route. Smaller, lighter, more pocketable - perfect for travel or street shooting when discretion counts. But that smaller body also means fewer tactile controls and deeper menu navigation, which slows down operation slightly if you’re used to DSLR-style direct controls.

In terms of ergonomics, the tilting 3-inch LCD screens on both cameras feel similar in resolution (921k dots), but the Nikon’s thicker body allows for more stable handholding. The Nikon offers an optical “tunnel” viewfinder (80% coverage, no electronic overlay), which, while basic, adds compositional confidence outdoors, especially bright scenes. Sony omits any form of viewfinder, relying solely on the LCD, which might be challenging in strong daylight.

Looking down from above reveals contrasting control philosophies.

The P7100’s top plate sports a mode dial and dedicated shutter speed/aperture wheels, reminiscent of classic enthusiast compacts. The WX500 keeps things minimalistic - a mode dial, power button, and no external wheel for aperture or shutter speed adjustment. If you’re a photographer who relishes manual control, Nikon clearly wins here.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Much hinges on the sensor’s capabilities - it’s the heart of image quality, dictating resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and color depth.

The Nikon P7100 uses a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor (10MP), measuring 7.44x5.58mm. This sensor is older tech from 2012, with respectable but limited dynamic range (~10.7 EV) and a maximum ISO of 3200 natively (6400 boost). CCD sensors typically deliver good color depth (19.4 bits per DXO analysis) but fall behind modern CMOS in low-light noise control.

The Sony WX500 packs a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (18MP), smaller physically (6.17x4.55mm), but with more pixels and updated back-illuminated pixel structure for better light gathering. It boasts a max ISO of 12,800 and more advanced noise handling. However, the smaller sensor area inherently limits the dynamic range and low-light signal-to-noise ratio.

In practice, the Nikon’s larger sensor surface and lower megapixel count yield cleaner files under controlled lighting, and more forgiving highlights and shadows, making it a stronger contender for landscapes or portraits where subtle tonal gradations matter. The Sony’s higher resolution shines when you crop or print medium sizes, and its sensor design supports better handheld shots in dim environments.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus and Speed

Autofocus capabilities are crucial whether shooting a candid street shot or capturing birds mid-flight. Let’s see how these cameras handle focusing demands.

The Nikon P7100 employs contrast-detection autofocus with 99 focus points - quite generous for its class at that time. The system is face-detection enabled and supports continuous AF for tracking moving subjects.

The Sony WX500 also uses contrast detection, implements face and smile detection, and continuous AF for live view. However, Sony does not specify the number of focus points for this model.

Performance-wise, the WX500’s autofocus feels faster and more responsive, especially thanks to the Bionz X processor. Its burst shooting rate of 10 fps (frames per second) dwarfs the 1.3 fps of the Nikon, which can be a game-changer for sports or wildlife photography.

While neither camera features phase-detection AF (a common omission in compacts), the Sony’s modern processor pushes continuous autofocus tracking further than the Nikon’s older Expeed C2 chip can manage. That said, Nikon’s AF system is more deliberate but steady - if speed isn’t your priority, Nikon’s AF is reliable and precise in good lighting.

Image Stabilization and Macro Performance

Both cameras include optical image stabilization to help reduce handshake blur - essential for long zooms or low-speed shutter shooting.

Nikon leverages its optical stabilization to complement the fixed zoom lens (28-200mm equivalent) with a bright f/2.8 aperture at wide-angle. Macro capabilities are strong too, with a 2cm minimum focusing distance, letting you enjoy close-up shots with sharp focus and pleasing background separation.

Sony’s WX500 has a longer zoom range (24-720mm equivalent) but comes with a smaller aperture starting at f/3.5, getting slower to f/6.4 at telephoto extremes. Its minimum macro focus distance is a bit farther at 5cm, which means less reach for extreme close-ups, but still adequate for casual macro work.

If macro is high on your list, I preferred the Nikon’s ability to shoot very close while maintaining sharpness and stability through its IS system.

Display and Viewfinder: Framing and Review

A good screen can determine your workflow comfort and framing accuracy.

Both models feature 3-inch tilting LCDs with similar sharpness, but the Nikon’s anti-reflection coating and five-level brightness adjustment produce better outdoor visibility.

Sony’s brighter panel works well indoors but can struggle under direct sunlight despite its modern sensor.

The Nikon includes that optical tunnel viewfinder, an old-school benefit if you want to conserve battery life or compose through your eye in glaring environments, but with only 80% coverage and no information overlay, it remains somewhat limited.

The WX500’s lack of any finder means complete reliance on the LCD, which some photographers find fatiguing during prolonged shoots or in bright conditions.

Video Capabilities

Video recording quality is a must-check for many enthusiasts and professionals as hybrid shooters.

Nikon’s P7100 offers 720p HD video at 24 fps with H.264 compression. It allows external microphone input - a noteworthy feature for vloggers or interview setups - though it lacks headphone monitoring.

Sony’s WX500 ups the ante with Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) at 60p, 60i, 30p, and 24p frame rates, recording in AVCHD and XAVC S formats. However, it lacks any external mic input, a potential drawback for demanding audio capture.

Overall, for video, Sony’s WX500 offers higher resolution and smoother frame rates, enhancing motion capture and post-production flexibility, making it a better pick for casual video creators despite lacking mic input.

Battery Life and Connectivity Considerations

Battery endurance informs how long you can keep shooting without swapping chargers.

Both cameras deliver around 350 shots per charge (Nikon) and approximately 360 shots (Sony), quite comparable under moderate use.

When it comes to connectivity, the Nikon P7100 misses wireless features entirely. The WX500, on the other hand, includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling wireless image transfer and remote control through a smartphone app, a feature that fits the modern connected photographer’s lifestyle.

Lens Performance and Zoom Range Comparison

Lens versatility widens shooting opportunities but impacts handling and image quality.

Nikon’s 28-200mm (7.1× zoom) lens has a brighter aperture at the wide end (f/2.8) and provides more pleasing bokeh due to the larger sensor and aperture advantage. The zoom covers from moderate wide-angle to short telephoto, perfect for portraits, travel, and some nature photography.

The Sony WX500 offers a massive 24-720mm (30× zoom) lens, a clear zoom champion here, from wide landscapes to distant wildlife or sports. However, the slower aperture, especially at the long end (f/6.4), challenges low-light shooting and bokeh control.

If reaching distant subjects in a compact body is your priority, the WX500 shines. For better balance in optics and wider aperture flexibility, the Nikon offers a more classic lens range and rendering.

Building Quality and Durability

Neither camera sports weather sealing or rugged construction. Both are designed for casual to enthusiast photographers rather than professional field use in extreme conditions.

The Nikon’s larger body and sturdier feel might inspire more confidence on outdoor excursions, but keep in mind neither model offers dust or moisture resistance.

Image Samples and Overall Performance Ratings

To really appreciate output differences, I shot a variety of subjects in controlled and outdoor settings.

Nikon P7100 front Nikon P7100 screen back Sony WX500 front Sony WX500 screen back

You’ll notice that the Nikon’s images benefit from richer color depth and smoother tonal gradations, with less noise at base ISO. Sony’s images, while sharper and higher resolution, do display more noise at high ISO levels, especially above 3200.

The lens distortion is minimal on both, but the Sony’s extreme zoom reveals some softness at max telephoto.

A wrapped performance score shows the P7100 slightly edging the WX500 in image quality and color depth, while the WX500 scores higher on zoom reach, autofocus speed, and video capabilities.

Which Camera Excels in Different Photography Genres?

• Portraits: Nikon’s faster lens aperture and better color depth produce more flattering skin tones and superior bokeh. The P7100’s face detection adds ease, too.
• Landscapes: Both provide ample resolution, but Nikon’s dynamic range advantage preserves detail in highlights and shadows better.
• Wildlife: Sony’s aggressive 30× zoom and faster continuous shooting (10 fps) beat Nikon’s more modest specs, important for fast, distant wildlife action.
• Sports: Sony’s burst rate and AF responsiveness pull ahead; Nikon’s slow 1.3 fps isn’t ideal for fast action.
• Street Photography: Sony’s compact size and zoom versatility make it more discreet; Nikon’s bulkier build might draw more attention.
• Macro: Nikon’s 2cm close focusing and sharper optics give it the edge.
• Night/Astro: Nikon’s cleaner high ISO and dynamic range is preferable, despite Sony’s higher max ISO claim.
• Video: Sony’s full HD 1080p @60fps is a clear winner.
• Travel: Sony’s smaller size and longer zoom range suit varied travel needs better.
• Professional Use: Nikon’s raw support and manual controls make it more reliable for professional workflows, but neither is truly professional-grade.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both the Nikon P7100 and Sony WX500 carve out unique niches in the compact camera realm. I’ve personally found the Nikon excels when you want solid manual control, superior image quality, and better macro/portrait work - albeit with a slower autofocus and lower zoom range. It harks back to a disciplined, photographer-centric approach in a compact.

The Sony WX500, meanwhile, is the tool of choice when size, zoom reach, AF speed, and video capabilities are top priorities. It embraces a travel and casual enthusiast profile with modern connectivity but sacrifices optical speed and manual tactile controls.

My personal takeaway: If you’re heavily invested in portraits, landscapes, or controlled environments and appreciate manual exposure and raw processing, pick the Nikon P7100. But if you want a versatile, pocket-friendly superzoom compact with quick autofocus and strong video, the Sony WX500 is a better fit.

Note: Both cameras are several years old, so if you value the latest tech like 4K video, touchscreen interfaces, or cutting-edge AF systems, consider modern alternatives. But for enthusiasts on a strict budget or looking for compact second bodies, these remain excellent options worth considering.

Thanks for reading my comparison! Feel free to ask any questions, and happy shooting!