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Sony A500 vs Sony W730

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 Key Specs

Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Newer Model is Sony A560
Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
Photography Glossary

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Sony A500 and Sony W730, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and W730 (16MP) and the A500 (APS-C) and W730 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The A500 was introduced 4 years prior to the W730 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W730 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A500 scores versus the W730 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony W730

 A500 W730 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Sony A500

 W730 A500 
ReleasedJanuary 2013August 2009More recent by 41 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony W730

 A500 W730 
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A500 has got exterior dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony W730 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A500 and Sony W730 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the A500 compared to the W730.

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A500 and W730 is 63 and 96 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A500 and W730.

Clearly, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The A500 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony W730 will render greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older A500 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 Portrait photography details
Sony W730 Portrait photography details
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A500 Street photography highlights
Sony W730 Street photography highlights
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than competition (122 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A500
Sports photography with Sony W730
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (520 per charge)
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W730 as a Travel photography camera
43
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (520 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
71
lighter than competition (122 grams)
includes focus via touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A500 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W730 as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery pack (520 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
39
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 Vlogging information
Sony W730 Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
34
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (122g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
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Sony A500 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and Sony W730
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-08-27 2013-01-08
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4272 x 2848 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-224mm (9.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 630 gr (1.39 lbs) 122 gr (0.27 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 772 not tested
Other
Battery life 520 shots 240 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $638 $138