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Sony A500 vs Sony W800

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 Key Specs

Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Updated by Sony A560
Sony W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2014
Photography Glossary

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Sony A500 versus Sony W800, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and W800 (20MP) and the A500 (APS-C) and W800 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The A500 was released 5 years earlier than the W800 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W800 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the A500 grades against the W800 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony W800

 A500 W800 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Sony A500

 W800 A500 
IntroducedFebruary 2014August 2009Newer by 54 months

Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony W800

 A500 W800 
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony A500 features outside measurements 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 W800 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Sony A500 versus Sony W800 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the A500 against the W800.

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A500 and W800 is 63 and 96 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The pic here will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A500 and W800.

All in all, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A500 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony W800 will provide more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged A500 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 Portrait photography advice
Sony W800 Portrait photography advice
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
38
megapixel count decent (20MP)
provides face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A500 as a Street photography camera
Sony W800 as a Street photography camera
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (125g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A500 Sports photography features
Sony W800 Sports photography features
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (520 CIPA)
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
provides tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A500 Travel photography factors
Sony W800 Travel photography factors
43
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (520 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than others (125 grams)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A500
Landscape photography with Sony W800
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (520 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
41
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W800 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
33
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than others (125g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Sony A500 vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and Sony W800
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-08-27 2014-02-13
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 area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4272 x 2848 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.2-6.4
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - AVI MPEG4
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) 125 gr (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures -
Battery type 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 recording
Storage type 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 1 1
Launch price $638 $90