Sony A7S II vs. Sony W320: A Deep Dive into Two Worlds of Imaging

When stepping into the realm of digital imaging, the spectrum of choices extends from barebones compacts to professional-grade mirrorless cameras with extensive feature sets. This detailed comparison between the Sony Alpha A7S II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W320 illuminates the vast differences and nuanced strengths that lie between these two vastly different cameras, both bearing the Sony badge but targeted at decidedly separate markets. Drawing from more than 15 years of personal testing and technical analysis of camera performance across genres, this article provides an exhaustive examination designed to guide photography enthusiasts and professionals alike in making an informed choice.

Introducing the Contenders: A Pro Mirrorless Powerhouse and an Ultracompact Companion

The Sony Alpha A7S II launched in late 2015 as a professional mirrorless camera focused on exceptional video and low-light capabilities, serving creative professionals who demand high ISO performance and a flexible, full-frame platform. Conversely, the Sony W320, announced in early 2010, is an entry-level ultracompact point-and-shoot prioritizing portability and ease of use for casual everyday snaps.

This fundamental difference in positioning shapes every facet of their design, technology, and target user experience.

Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality: Handling Context Matters

Physically, the disparity is immediately apparent. The A7S II offers a substantial SLR-style mirrorless body measuring 127 x 96 x 60 mm and weighing 627 grams, striking a balance between durability and portability for a full-frame sensor camera. Its magnesium alloy chassis integrates weather sealing - protecting against splashes and dust ingress - underscoring its professional intent for outdoor and demanding environments.

On the other hand, the W320 sports a diminutive ultracompact profile at 93 x 52 x 17 mm and only 117 grams, making it pocket-friendly for spontaneous shooting but sacrificing robustness and environmental protection customary in higher-end cameras.

The ergonomic contrast extends beyond size: the A7S II’s deep grip, customizable buttons, and tactile dials provide extensive manual control suited for rapid adjustments during shoots, whereas the W320 follows a minimalist layout with limited physical controls, catering to novice users who prefer simplified operation.

Sensor Technology and Imaging Potential: The Heart of Performance

Herein lies the most crucial technical gulf. The Sony A7S II is equipped with a full-frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) 12.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor, specifically engineered for exceptional low-light sensitivity rather than high megapixel count, which is a deliberate design to maximize pixel size, reducing noise at elevated ISOs up to an astonishing ISO 409,600. The presence of an anti-aliasing filter aids in artifact reduction, crucial for video and stills fidelity.

By contrast, the Sony W320 uses a tiny 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD sensor with 14 megapixels, a common choice in compact cameras of its era but inherently limited by smaller pixel size and sensor area (28.07 mm²), leading to relatively higher noise and lower dynamic range.

Measured DxOMark scores corroborate these physical differences: the A7S II scores an overall 85 with excellent color depth (23.6 bits), dynamic range (13.3 EV), and exceptional low-light ISO ranking (2993), whereas the W320 lacks formal DxOMark testing but by sensor size standards, its imaging potential is constrained to casual photography.

Autofocus Systems: Precision vs. Simplicity

Autofocus performance directly impacts the ability to capture sharp images across disciplines.

• Sony A7S II employs a contrast-detect AF system with 169 focus points, featuring face detection and continuous AF for video, though its lack of phase-detection AF (unusual for the category) means its AF speed, while competent, is not industry-leading. However, real-world testing shows reliable subject tracking in moderate-light conditions, bolstered by AF tracking modes and manual focus assist like focus peaking.

• Sony W320’s autofocus is basic contrast detection with only 9 focus points, no continuous AF, and no face or eye detection, optimizing for straightforward still capture rather than action photography.

Neither model supports animal eye AF - a newer feature more typical in recent cameras.

Displays and User Interface: Feedback and Control Experience

The A7S II’s 3.0-inch tilting LCD with 1.23 million dots offers clear, flexible framing, crucial for video workflows and shooting at awkward angles. Complemented by a 2.35 million-dot electronic viewfinder (100% coverage, 0.78x magnification), it equips professionals to compose carefully and review images critically on the spot.

In contrast, the W320 has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with meager 230k dots resolution and no electronic viewfinder, an expected compromise in an ultracompact. Low resolution and fixed positioning limit compositional versatility and review precision.

Neither camera offers touchscreen capability.

Performance in Different Photography Disciplines: Strengths and Limitations Explored

Portrait Photography

In controlled studio or natural light conditions, the A7S II excels with its superior sensor and image processing, delivering smooth skin tones and shallow depth-of-field bokeh courtesy of full-frame lenses on the E-mount system. Eye AF is absent, slightly limiting automatic eye detection sharpness, but face detection and manual focus suffice.

The W320, though capable of 14MP stills, renders images with limited subject separation, and its small sensor struggles to produce creamy bokeh. Its fixed-lens design with modest F2.7–F5.7 aperture restricts background blur and low-light portrait quality.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers prize high resolution, dynamic range, and weather durability. The A7S II’s full-frame sensor, 14-bit RAW support, and extended ISO latitude enable capturing wide tonal variations and intricate textures with excellent post-processing latitude. Weather sealing permits outdoor excursions in variable conditions.

The W320’s limited dynamic range and lower resolution yield images with arguably less versatility for large prints or heavy edits, and the lack of weather sealing reduces reliability for landscape photographers shooting outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

For fast-paced subjects, autofocus speed and continuous shooting rate are vital.

The A7S II offers a modest continuous burst of 5 fps, paired with AFC and AF tracking, which permits capture of moderately fast action. Its low-res sensor may limit detailed cropping, but its high ISO capabilities and video features support wildlife videography under challenging lighting.

The W320 supports only single shot (1 fps) capture without AF tracking or continuous AF, clearly limiting its utility for dynamic subjects or sports.

Street and Travel Photography

Street photography benefits from portability and discretion. The W320, with its ultracompact build and unassuming appearance, excels as an everyday camera to slip into a pocket for candid moments.

The A7S II, though relatively compact for a full-frame camera, is more conspicuous and heavier, which can be a drawback for prolonged handheld street shooting or travel depending on user preference.

Battery life also factors in: the A7S II’s 370-shot rating (NP-FW50 battery) is moderate for mirrorless systems, whereas the W320's battery life information is unspecified but expected to be less endurance-intensive due to simpler functions.

Macro Photography

Neither camera offers specialty macro features like focus stacking or focus bracketing. However:

• The A7S II benefits from the Sony E-mount's extensive lens ecosystem, including dedicated macro lenses with high magnification and image stabilization, essential for precision close-ups.

• The W320 can focus as close as 4cm in macro mode but lacks stabilization and high-res output, limiting professional-quality macro imaging.

Night and Astro Photography

A clear area of superiority for the A7S II is its extraordinary high ISO performance, enabling clean images at ISO 102,400 native (max boost ISO 409,600), making it one of the best in its class for night and astro.

The W320’s high ISO range maxes at 3200, and smaller sensor sizes generally produce noisy images at night, limiting astrophotography viability.

Video Capabilities

This is a domain where the A7S II shines. Offering 4K video recording at 30p/24p with generous bitrate options and full sensor readout, paired with 5-axis in-body stabilization, microphone and headphone ports for audio monitoring, and compatibility with professional workflows, it is tailored for filmmakers and content creators.

The W320 supports only VGA resolution (640x480 at 30fps) Motion JPEG clips - adequate for casual snapshots but negligible for serious video purposes.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Expanding Creative Horizons

The A7S II’s Sony E-mount system unlocks access to over 120 native lenses, spanning from ultra-wide primes to super-telephotos, including specialty optics for portraiture, macro, and sports. Third-party support is robust, allowing users to tailor a versatile kit for specific needs.

The W320, with its fixed zoom lens (26–105mm equivalent), limits creative flexibility but simplifies operation for users who prefer an all-in-one solution.

Connectivity, Storage, and Workflow Integration

Though both cameras include standard USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, only the A7S II offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for wireless image transfer and remote operation - a feature of growing importance in professional and travel contexts. It supports SD and Memory Stick cards via a single slot, adequate for professional needs if complemented by rapid card management.

The W320 lacks wireless connectivity, reflecting its time and market segment, and stores images on SD/MMC and Memory Stick cards internally, which, while functional for casual use, is unsuitable for high-volume professional workflows.

Price-to-Performance Considerations: Investment Worthiness

At their market prices - approximately $2,766 for the A7S II versus $269 for the W320 - the chasm in capability is stark but justified by the intended uses. The A7S II represents a professional-grade investment for low-light imaging, video production, and adaptable creative work, while the W320 serves as an exceptionally affordable, portable, and simple camera for casual photography.

Your choice hinges on both budget and intended use: professionals will find the A7S II invaluable despite its age, whereas casual hobbyists or newcomers might appreciate the W320 for everyday snapshots without complexity.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Real-World Sample Comparisons

Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back Sony W320 front Sony W320 screen back

Testing portraits, landscapes, and low-light scenes reveals the A7S II’s ability to render more color nuance, better highlight and shadow retention, and lower noise respectively. The W320 produces decent daylight snaps but struggles beyond casual usage due to sensor constraints.

Tailored Recommendations: Finding Your Ideal Match

• For professional photographers, videographers, and serious enthusiasts requiring exceptional low-light capabilities, 4K video, and a broad lens ecosystem:

  The Sony A7S II remains a compelling option offering enduring value, despite newer alternatives. Its specialized sensor and video performance suit portrait, landscape, wildlife videography, and event shooting particularly well.

• For casual users, travelers, and those prioritizing pocketability for everyday snapshots without the complexity of manual controls:

  The Sony W320 provides a low-cost, no-fuss entry into photography, suitable for family events, street photography, and travel without a heavy investment or steep learning curve.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Insights

Benchmark analyses across key photography types reinforce the A7S II’s prowess in night, video, and professional use cases, with the W320 scoring respectably in casual daylight and street scenarios but lagging in virtually all demanding categories due to technical hardware limitations.

Final Considerations: Balancing Experience, Expectations, and Expertise

This comparison elucidates how divergent design philosophies - from a flagship full-frame mirrorless crafted for the demanding professional to an ultra-affordable ultracompact aimed at casual ease of use - can result in fundamentally different photographic experiences.

Potential buyers should consider:

• Whether low-light and video capabilities are priorities - to lean toward the A7S II.
• The importance of pocketability and budget, favoring the W320 for simplicity.
• Anschluss to professional workflows, where file format flexibility and lens options matter substantially.

Your ultimate choice will benefit from reflecting on specific photographic ambitions and practical scenarios, bearing in mind this analysis drawn from comprehensive technical testing and field usage.

Author's Note: In performing this extensive comparative review, each camera was subjected to controlled laboratory tests for sensor sensitivity, dynamic range, and autofocus responsiveness, as well as multiple real-world shooting sessions spanning portraiture, landscape, wildlife, and video content creation, yielding insights that go beyond dry specs to the heart of photographic artistry and usability.