Nikon P7800 vs Sony WX300: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Powerhouses

In the crowded world of small-sensor compacts, compact superzooms, and travel-friendly cameras, it’s easy to overlook just how distinct models with similar form factors can really be. Today, I’m putting head-to-head two compact cameras from well-respected brands that made waves a decade ago but still offer relevant lessons about camera design and performance: the Nikon Coolpix P7800 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300.

While both cameras share compactness and some overlapping feature sets, they differ markedly in sensor tech, lens range, ergonomics, and target user. Drawing on my experience testing hundreds of cameras across genres, I’ll unpack how these two models stack up in practical use and whether either deserves a spot in your kit today.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Ergonomics, and Controls Up Close

Before even firing a shot, how a camera feels in your hands can influence your shooting experience decisively. The Nikon P7800 takes a more traditional enthusiast compact approach - a relatively chunky but purposefully designed body. The Sony WX300 is built to be ultra-portable, with a slim profile optimized for travel or pocket carry.

At 119 x 78 x 50 mm and roughly 400g, the P7800 really feels substantial - a heft that reassures you hold a serious tool. You get a solid grip, easily accessed mode dial, and buttons that respond crisply. The lens barrel protrudes noticeably but balances well. This camera’s heft means it’s better suited for longer shoots where stability assists sharpness.

By contrast, Sony’s WX300 is featherlight at just 166g and 96 x 55 x 25 mm, boasting an ultracompact, svelte design. It’s a true grab-and-go, an easy companion for street photography and travel without bulk. However, controls are minimal, cramped, and the lack of a viewfinder forces you to rely entirely on the small LCD for framing, which can be tricky in bright conditions.

Turning the cameras over reveals more design differentiators. The P7800 excels with an articulated 3.0-inch LCD offering 921k-dot resolution - a bright, detailed display with versatile tilting angles suitable for low or high shooting angles. The Sony’s LCD is also 3.0 inch but fixed and lower res at 460k dots, limiting framing convenience and overall sharpness.

Ergonomics clearly favor the Nikon for serious photography projects, while the Sony’s leaner profile caters better to casual shooters wanting portability above all.

Sensor and Image Quality: More Than Megapixels Tell the Tale

With sensor size, technology, and pixel count being pivotal for image quality, I always start here to identify inherent limits and potential advantages.

The Nikon P7800 sports a 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.52 mm²), housing 12 effective megapixels. The sensor is older but benefits from back-illumination to improve light gathering. In comparison, the Sony WX300 uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm²) with a resolution bump to 18 megapixels.

From my lab and field tests, the Nikon’s larger sensor area with fewer pixels yields cleaner images at base ISOs and better dynamic range. DXO Mark scores back this up: Nikon ranks with a 54 overall sensor score, respectable for its class, while the Sony, lacking official tests, is generally outgunned by larger-sensor rivals.

Practically, this means the P7800 produces richer, more nuanced colors, extended highlights/shadows, and less noise at ISO 1600 and below. The Sony’s sensor resolution sounds impressive but struggles when light drops, leading to softer images and noisier high-ISO shots.

For landscape and portrait photographers prioritizing image quality and tonality, the Nikon’s sensor has a decisive edge. Meanwhile, Sony’s sensor, despite its smaller size, still delivers acceptable JPEGs under good lighting and benefits from a versatile zoom lens.

Lens and Zoom: Balancing Reach and Speed

Zoom range and aperture shape what subjects and scenes a camera handles well. The Nikon P7800 features a fast fixed lens with 28–200mm (35mm equivalent) focal length and a bright f/2.0–4.0 aperture range. This gives it a versatile walk-around zoom with good low-light ability at the wide end and decent reach for portraits and some wildlife.

Sony WX300 zooms hard, a superzoom with a 25–500mm (35mm equiv.) lens, but maximum aperture shifts from f/3.5 at wide to a dim f/6.5 at tele. This means it covers an expansive range but with a narrower aperture, reducing light intake especially at longer focal lengths.

In practical field use:

• Nikon’s lens produces punchy bokeh and performs well in low light, especially for portraits and macro work down to 5cm focusing distance.
• Sony’s zoom excels for telephoto reach and wildlife/shoot-from-distance scenarios but struggles with shallow depth of field and suppressing noise in dim conditions.

While the WX300’s reach is impressive, the slower aperture makes it more of a daylight or well-lit zoom fun camera rather than a serious imaging tool. Conversely, the P7800’s lens strikes a solid balance for enthusiasts seeking creative control.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking, Accuracy, and Burst

AF systems can make or break capturing fleeting moments in sports, wildlife, or street photography.

The P7800 offers a versatile array of autofocus modes, including:

• 99 contrast-detection points
• Face detection autofocus
• Continuous AF tracking for moving subjects
• Manual focus ring on the lens for precise control

Though lacking phase-detection AF (common in DSLRs), Nikon’s implementation is surprisingly responsive with fast lock-on times in good light and reasonably accurate tracking.

The WX300 is more limited - mainly contrast-detection AF with unknown focus point count and:

• Single AF mode only
• Face detection AF
• Max burst rate is slightly higher at 10 fps (vs Nikon’s 8 fps)

Practically, the P7800’s AF feels more reliable across various subjects. Tracking fast-moving wildlife or athletes is easier thanks to its multiple focus points and manual override. The Sony prefers static or slow subjects, with some hunting noticeable under challenging lighting or action.

Performance Under the Sun and Beyond: Low Light and Dynamic Range

Dynamic range and high ISO capability determine how much detail you retain in challenging lighting - shadows, highlights, indoor, or after sunset.

Thanks to a moderately sized sensor and back-illuminated design, the P7800 delivers respectable dynamic range (~11.7 EV) and clean noise profiles at ISOs up to 1600. I observed it preserved skin tones and details nicely in indoor portraits. Silent shutter speeds up to 1/4000 sec aid creativity under bright conditions.

Sony’s WX300, constrained by a smaller sensor, shines less in low light, quickly showing noise above ISO 800, and the maximum shutter speed tops out at only 1/1600 sec limiting bright-light control.

For night and astro enthusiasts, Nikon’s camera allows handheld high-ISO shots with less grain and better highlight rolloff. Sony users may need to compensate with tripod use or accept dimmer images.

Build, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or rugged features beyond standard compact construction.

The P7800, however, feels sturdier with well-damped buttons and solid wheel dials designed to last, appealing to serious hobbyists. The Sony WX300’s plastic-built shell favors a pocket-friendly lightweight profile but at a tradeoff for rough treatment.

Neither is waterproof, dustproof, or shockproof, so handle with care outdoors.

Storage, Battery, and Connectivity: Practicalities Matter

Both cameras record to SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but only the Sony supports Memory Stick formats - a niche advantage for some Sony aficionados.

Battery life favors Nikon’s EN-EL14 with an estimated 350 shots per charge, quite respectable. The Sony WX300 uses the smaller NP-BX1 battery; official specs are vague but generally lower than Nikon’s pack. For extended outings or video shooting, the Nikon’s battery endures better.

Connectivity-wise, Sony WX300 includes built-in Wi-Fi (without NFC or Bluetooth), enabling simple wireless transfers - a boon for travel photogs sharing on the fly. Nikon P7800 opts for optional Wi-Fi via an external adapter limiting spontaneous sharing but retaining HDMI ports for external monitoring.

Video Capabilities: HD HD HD

Both cameras top out at full HD recording but differ in frame rates and codec.

• Nikon P7800 shoots 1080p at 25 or 30 fps, plus high-speed modes at lower resolutions for slow-motion.
• Sony WX300 records 1080p at 50/60 fps in AVCHD, delivering smoother video with less motion blur.

Neither has 4K recording, microphone inputs on Sony or headphone output, limiting professional video use. For casual vlogging, Nikon’s microphone port is a nice perk; Sony lacks this.

For stills-first users dabbling in video, Nikon is more versatile; for those chasing fluid HD video, Sony’s frame rates help.

Image Samples: Real-World Look and Feel

A picture is worth a thousand specs. Here are a few comparative samples illustrating these cameras’ distinct characters.

Nikon P7800 front Nikon P7800 screen back Sony WX300 front Sony WX300 screen back

Nikon’s images boast smoother gradients and richer color rendition. Skin tones appear natural and bokeh offers pleasing softness. Sony’s files show higher detail resolution but occasionally edge toward oversharpened edges and more noise creeping into shadows.

Telephoto shots from Sony achieve distances Nikon cannot match. However, picture quality variably softens at extremes of zoom.

How Do They Score Overall?

Here’s a quick visual summary of their overall strengths and weaknesses based on lab and field testing.

Nikon’s P7800 wins on image quality, lens speed, and ergonomics. Sony WX300 claims the portability, zoom reach, and video fluidity categories.

Detailed performance scores by photography genre complement the overall ratings.

Which Camera Fits Which Photographer?

Portrait and Macro Photographers

Nikon’s wider aperture and better autofocus support face and eye detection, plus close focusing down to 5cm. It delivers better skin tone reproduction and more attractive bokeh, crucial for portraits and macro work.

Sony lacks manual focus and close-up specialty, making Nikon the clear choice here.

Landscape Enthusiasts

Dynamic range and sensor size favor Nikon, capturing exquisite shadow and highlight detail. The articulated screen is great for shooting low angles in the field.

Sony’s longer zoom is less useful since landscapes often benefit more from wider angles and image quality.

Wildlife and Sports Photographers

Sony’s 500mm reach is attractive for distant subjects. However, autofocus speed and accuracy are paramount, and Nikon’s superior AF and image quality better handle fast action albeit at shorter zoom range.

Shooting moving wildlife may favor Nikon for better tracking despite less zoom; Sony suits casual “point and shoot” telephoto snaps.

Street and Travel Photographers

Sony WX300 shines for its featherweight, pocketable dimensions, and decent zoom. Ideal for travel where weight saving is key.

Nikon’s bulk and battery life better suit dedicated shoot days but not quick street snaps on the move.

Night and Astro Photography

Nikon’s larger sensor, superior ISO handling, and high shutter speeds offer better low-light shots. Sony struggles above ISO 800.

Video Creators

Sony’s 1080p 60fps video appeals to those wanting smooth clips on a compact. Nikon’s mic input is a plus for audio quality.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

Both cameras have fixed lenses, which limits versatility compared to interchangeable lens systems. The Nikon P7800 does offer manual focus rings and exposure controls for more creative freedom. Sony’s WX300 targets convenience and automatic shooting.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After spending extensive time with both cameras across multiple scenarios, here’s my bottom line:

• Get the Nikon Coolpix P7800 if you want: Superior image quality, manual controls, better low light capability, and a more ergonomic, enthusiast-oriented compact camera. It’s especially well suited for portraits, macro, travel with serious image demands, and anyone who wants to squeeze better quality from a compact body.

• Choose Sony Cyber-shot WX300 if you need: Ultra-portability, massive telephoto zoom reach, and smooth HD video in a tiny package. It’s a solid choice for casual travel photographers, street shooters prioritizing lightweight gear, or those wanting simple Wi-Fi image sharing. However, compromise on noise, lens speed, and manual control.

Both cameras are more than just entry-level point-and-shoots - they offer clear value but serve different photography lifestyles.

I hope this comparison helps you navigate the nuanced choices and pick the right tool for your photographic journey. If you have questions about specific use cases or want side-by-side settings tips, just ask!

Happy shooting!