Sony A7S vs Sony WX80: An Expert Comparison Across the Photography Spectrum

When it comes to cameras, Sony offers an incredibly broad portfolio - from pro-level mirrorless bodies to compact travel-friendly point-and-shoots. Today, I’m going to dive deep into a comparison between two very different cameras from Sony’s lineup, the Sony Alpha A7S (a full-frame, professional mirrorless) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 (a compact fixed-lens shooter aimed at casual users).

At first glance, the A7S and WX80 couldn’t be more distinct - one is a tool designed for high-end imaging and cinematic video, the other a pocketable snapshot machine. But by unpacking their features, performance, and real-world usability, you’ll get a clear picture of what each delivers - and where that leaves photographers and enthusiasts. I’ve spent many days testing both, drawing insights that go beyond the spec sheet to practical application.

Let’s start by setting the stage.

What You’re Handling: Size, Ergonomics, and Build

If you place these two cameras side-by-side, the physical difference is immediately striking. The Sony A7S is an SLR-style mirrorless camera with a robust magnesium alloy body, weather sealing, and a confident heft meant for professionals. Conversely, the WX80 is tiny - a slender, ultra-light compact meant for casual shooting and ultimate portability.

From my extensive testing, I’ve found handling comfort to be a major differentiator. The A7S’s substantial grip and well-spaced buttons lend confidence during long shoots, where precision controls are crucial. The WX80’s compact form is excellent for throwing in a pocket or small bag, but the flip side is a cramped layout and minimal manual control - good for point-and-shoot use but not much more.

In terms of durability and environmental resistance, the A7S holds up far better in challenging conditions thanks to partial weather sealing - dust and moisture won’t instantly halt your workflow. The WX80, on the other hand, lacks this protection, limiting it to fair-weather casual use.

Design Philosophy and Controls: Professional Usability vs. Simplicity

Moving on to the design aesthetics and control schemes, the contrast remains clear.

The A7S features a classic pro mirrorless top plate with a dedicated mode dial, exposure compensation dial, customizable function buttons, and a clear layout that supports intuitive, fast operation even in dynamic shooting scenarios. Coming from serious cameras, I appreciate the affirming tactile clicks and button feedback.

The WX80’s top is minimalistic: a simple power switch, shutter release, and zoom toggle with none of the direct control dials seen on the serious A7S. There’s no manual exposure control on this compact - as you’d expect - so users must rely on fully automatic or limited scene modes.

For photographers used to full manual control, the WX80’s simplicity can feel restrictive. But for casual users and beginners, it is accessible - no complex menus or confusing dials.

Sensor and Image Quality: Big Sensor Superiority vs. Pocketable Convenience

Here’s where the story truly diverges - sensor size, technology, and output.

The Sony A7S houses a 12.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (35.8x23.9 mm) paired with the powerful Bionz X processor. Its pixel count may seem modest by today’s standards, but it’s engineered for exceptional light sensitivity. The full-frame sensor area measures approximately 855 mm², significantly larger than the 1/2.3-inch (6.17x4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor inside the WX80, which has an effective sensor area of roughly 28 mm².

What does this mean in practice?

• Noise performance: The A7S truly excels at high ISO shooting. Its max ISO rating of 409,600 (yes, you read that right) means it delivers usable images in near-darkness - ideal for night, astro, and event photography. The WX80 tops out at ISO 3200 natively, with boost up to 12,800, but image quality deteriorates rapidly beyond ISO 800 due to the tiny sensor.

• Dynamic range: The larger sensor in the A7S naturally captures more tonal information - measured at a DxOmark dynamic range score of 13.2 stops, it outclasses the WX80’s smaller sensor and limited range. This makes the A7S better for landscapes, portraits, and any scenario requiring subtle highlight and shadow detail.

• Resolution: The WX80’s 16MP sensor delivers up to 4608x3456 pixels, which is higher than the A7S’s 12MP native 4240x2832 resolution. While more pixels can be helpful for cropping and fine detail, here the smaller, noisier sensor yields generally inferior image quality and less detail in low light or high contrast.

The A7S’s balanced pixel count prioritizes large photosites and sensitivity over sheer resolution - a key design choice to assist professionals shooting in complex lighting situations.

Viewing Experience: EVF vs. LCD

An often overlooked but critical ergonomic element is the viewfinder and rear screen.

The A7S includes a 3.0-inch tilting LCD with 1,230k dots resolution and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2,359k dots at 0.71x magnification, covering 100% of the frame. From real-world use, the EVF is crisp and bright, an absolute necessity for precise focusing and composition in bright outdoor settings or fast-moving subjects.

The WX80 instead has a small fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD with only 230k dots and no EVF at all. This limits nighttime and bright sunlight usability and makes manual focus or critical composition challenging. Live view exposure preview is less accurate here.

For serious photography, the EVF and high-res LCD of the A7S greatly improve usability and confidence.

Real-World Photography Across Genres: Strengths and Limitations

To truly advise photographers, I’ve tested both cameras extensively in multiple genres. Here’s how they stack up in different photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

The A7S’s full-frame sensor and wide Sony E-mount lens compatibility allow for stunning portraits with shallow depth-of-field and creamy bokeh effects - particularly with fast primes. Its face detection autofocus supports well, although it lacks the sophisticated Eye AF seen in later models.

The WX80’s small sensor and fixed zoom lens limit bokeh and subject isolation. Skin tones are generally accurate in daylight but can appear flat and noisier in low light. The camera’s autofocus and face detection work acceptably for casual snaps but lack precision.

Verdict: The A7S is a superior tool for professionally styled portraiture; WX80 suited only for snapshots of family and friends with no depth separation.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Resistance

Thanks to its wider dynamic range and weather sealing, the A7S captures broader tonal gradations in challenging lighting - sunrises, sunsets, and shadowed valleys - preserving highlight details and nuanced colors expertly.

Its native ISO 100 base and 12MP resolution may seem low, but images can be stacked or stitched for extra resolution. Plus, robust build and magnetic lens mount ensure reliability outdoors.

The WX80’s small sensor struggles with dynamic range and detail in landscapes, and no weather sealing means worry about moisture and dust. Its fixed zoom can be versatile for framing, but optical quality lags behind top-quality lenses.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Autofocus and Burst Performance

The A7S sports a 25-point contrast-detection AF system (no phase-detection) and max continuous shooting at 5 fps. While not blazing fast by today's standards, it handles tracking moving subjects competently with practice, particularly in well-lit conditions. Lack of animal eye AF and a modest burst limit its appeal for demanding wildlife shooters.

The WX80 offers burst shooting up to 10 fps in JPEG, but AF is slow and basic contrast detection. Lens reach (28-224mm equivalent) is handy for casual telephoto shots but image quality and focus speed fall short for sports or fast action.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreteness, Portability, and Battery Life

Here the WX80 shines for casual users seeking lightweight, pocketable simplicity with an 8x optical zoom in a candy-bar shape. Battery life of about 240 shots is average for a compact.

The A7S, heavier at nearly 489g and larger, requires an extra bag space but delivers unmatched image quality and flexibility with interchangeable lenses - key for travel professionals.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing

The WX80 offers a 5cm macro focus distance, making casual close-ups simple but depth of field and detail limited by the small sensor.

A7S’s compatibility with specialized macro lenses and focus stacking workflows (albeit not built-in) offers professional-level macro ability.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Flexibility

The A7S is a workhorse for night photography with usable ISO beyond 51,200. Its long exposure modes, full manual control, and excellent noise performance allow capturing stars and low-light scenes with remarkable clarity. External intervalometers and apps extend time lapse capabilities.

The WX80 is not designed for night shooting - high noise and limited manual options constrain results.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Audio Support

Video is a strong suit of the A7S - 4K recording at 3840x2160p and Full HD up to 60p with XAVC-S codec offers clean, professional footage. Inclusion of headphone and microphone jacks support audio monitoring and external mics. Advanced video features including slow motion and exposure controls appeal to hybrid shooters.

The WX80 tops out at 1080p Full HD recording at 60fps using MPEG-4/AVCHD, with no mic input or advanced video tools, designed purely for casual videography.

Professional Usage: Workflow and Reliability

For pro photographers, the A7S supports RAW capture, tethered shooting (although USB 2.0 limits speed), and robust software integrations. Its solid build, environmental sealing, and wide lens ecosystem of 121 lenses make it a versatile camera for demanding assignments.

The WX80 is not RAW capable, has a proprietary battery and limited connectivity, making it a casual camera with limited professional appeal.

Technical Analysis Summarized

Sony A7S front Sony A7S screen back Sony WX80 front Sony WX80 screen back

Putting It All Into Perspective: Which Camera Is Right For You?

To wrap up, here’s my nuanced take - based on hours of rigorous hands-on testing and real-world comparisons - about who should consider each of these cameras.

Choose the Sony A7S if you:

• Demand outstanding low-light performance and high ISO image quality
• Shoot professionally or as serious enthusiasts requiring full manual exposure control and RAW workflows
• Need versatile video capabilities with 4K capture, audio inputs, and reliable stabilization in post
• Want the flexibility to use a vast ecosystem of Sony E-mount lenses
• Are fine managing a larger, heavier camera body optimized for desktop and location work
• Value durability and weather resistance for professional assignments, landscapes, and travel

Opt for the Sony WX80 if you:

• Crave an ultra-compact, pocket-friendly camera for casual snapshots and travel convenience
• Need a simple camera with automatic modes and limited manual input
• Are budget-conscious and want a very affordable Sony compact
• Want built-in optical image stabilization for steady handheld shots
• Don’t require advanced video specs or interchangeable lenses
• Are new to photography or want a light backup camera without complexity

Performance Scores Across Photography Types

To help guide a more granular decision, I’ve gathered performance data based on genre-specific tests:

As expected, the A7S dominates in most demanding genres (portrait, landscape, night, video), while the WX80 fares decently as a casual tourist or everyday street shooter.

Overall Ratings and Final Thoughts

Bringing our expert evaluation together, here are the summarized ratings aggregated from objective testing and ergonomic assessment:

The Sony A7S scores highly for professional-grade image quality, flexibility, and build. The WX80 achieves respectable marks for compact convenience but falls short on creative control and advanced functionality.

Final Recommendation

The choice between the Sony A7S and WX80 boils down to your photographic goals. Are you looking for a professional mirrorless powerhouse that excels in near-darkness, detailed imagery, and cinematic video? The A7S is an outstanding choice - even years after its release - due to its unique prowess in low-light and professional video capture.

Conversely, the WX80 serves a separate audience: casual shooters and travelers seeking portability, ease of use, and low-cost snapshot capability. It’s a handy pocket companion but shouldn’t be mistaken for a serious imaging device.

If you want my advice as someone who has tested thousands of cameras across disciplines: invest in the A7S if you aim to push your photography seriously. If your needs are purely casual or as a budget backup, the WX80 will cover the basics neatly.

Feel free to ask me any questions on specific use cases or tests you’d like detailed next. Happy shooting!