Sony A560 vs Sony W710: An In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera is a critical step in shaping your photographic journey. Whether you're a beginner looking to explore the art form or an experienced shooter seeking a dependable backup or travel companion, understanding the key distinctions between models is essential.

Today, we’ll dive into a detailed comparison between two Sony cameras that occupy very different places in the camera ecosystem:

• Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 (A560) - An entry-level DSLR launched in 2010, designed for budding enthusiasts and amateurs eager to learn manual controls and expand creatively.

• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710 (W710) - A compact point-and-shoot released in 2013, ideal for casual snapshots, travel, and easy portability.

This comprehensive review leverages my 15+ years of hands-on camera testing experience to help you find the best fit, analyzing everything from sensor technology to real-world usability for various photography types.

Physical Design and Ergonomics: How They Feel in Your Hands

The first impression when handling a camera is often about comfort and control. The A560, being a DSLR, naturally has a larger body with dedicated buttons, while the W710 is a pocket-friendly compact with minimal physical controls.

Sony A560: The DSLR offers a comfortable grip with textured surfaces and a robust feel. Its tilting 3-inch LCD aids in shooting at odd angles, and you get immediate feedback through an optical viewfinder - a must-have for traditionalists preferring eye-level framing.

Sony W710: Compact and lightweight, it slips easily into jackets or pockets. It features a touchscreen interface, a convenience at this price point, but the fixed screen size and limited buttons mean you’ll rely mainly on menus rather than tactile controls.

Our takeaway: If handheld stability, extensive direct control, and traditional framing are priorities, the A560’s more substantial body and better ergonomics will serve you well. For portability and convenience on casual outings, the W710 keeps things simple and light.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Sensor size and technology largely determine output image quality, especially when pushing for sharpness, depth of field control, and low-light performance.

The A560’s APS-C sensor is nearly 13 times larger in surface area compared to the W710’s tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor. This translates to:

• Superior image quality: Greater light gathering ability yields better dynamic range and color depth. DXOMark scores reflect this with the A560 achieving 22.5 bits color depth and 12.3 EV dynamic range.

• Low-light advantage: The A560’s native ISO goes up to 12,800, making handheld shots in dim environments feasible with reduced noise, unlike the W710’s ISO capped at 3200 with higher noise levels.

• Depth of field control: The larger sensor allows for more pronounced background blur and bokeh, important for portrait and macro work.

Conversely, the W710’s small CCD sensor is common in entry-level compacts optimized for bright conditions and casual shooting. While 16 MP might sound promising on paper, pixel size is smaller, yielding inferior low-light responsiveness and image detail in challenging scenarios.

The W710 lacks RAW capability, meaning you’ll have limited options for post-processing adjustments - an important factor if you like to tweak your images for professional-grade results.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Composing Your Frame

The way you compose and review images influences the shooting experience.

The A560 offers a bright 3-inch tilting LCD, allowing you to shoot comfortably from waist level or high angles. Although it lacks touch controls, the tactile buttons and menu system fill the gap.

The W710’s 2.7-inch touchscreen intuitively responds to taps and swipes, making zooming and navigating menus straightforward, a plus for casual users less familiar with physical buttons.

However, the absence of a viewfinder on the W710 means you compose exclusively via the screen, which can be tricky on bright days. The A560’s optical viewfinder provides a direct and lag-free view, essential for action or sunlight shooting.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Catching the Moment

Autofocus (AF) system strength and frame rates are critical for genres like wildlife, sports, and street photography.

The A560’s hybrid AF with 15 phase-detection points, including 3 cross-type sensors, allows for quicker and more reliable focusing on moving subjects. Additionally, its 5 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting enables you to capture fast action – a boon for wildlife and sports photography.

The W710's contrast-detection AF system is slower and less effective tracking moving subjects, paired with a modest 1 fps burst rate. It’s fine for static subjects and everyday snapshots but will frustrate those wanting quick action shots or precise focus control.

Notably, the A560 includes live view with face detection and in-camera image stabilization (sensor-based), adding stability and helping ensure sharp pictures.

Built Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Matters

Neither camera offers weather sealing or extensive ruggedization; however, the A560’s sturdier construction reflects its more serious nature and frequent use by enthusiasts shooting outdoors in varied conditions.

The W710 is designed as a casual pocket camera, not built to withstand tough environments. Its light weight and compact form factor come at the cost of less robust durability.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Growing Your Gear

The A560’s compatibility with a wide variety of interchangeable lenses (prime, zoom, macro, tilt-shift) opens huge creative possibilities. With over 140 lenses available, you can tailor your system to portraits, landscapes, wildlife telephoto, macro, or architectural photography.

The W710’s built-in 28-140 mm equivalent zoom lens covers versatile focal lengths for snapshots, but it lacks the flexibility of interchangeable optics.

Battery and Storage: Practical Considerations for Field Use

Long battery life is a major advantage of the A560, allowing you to shoot whole days without needing a replacement. The W710’s 240 shot rating suits casual use, but you’ll want spare batteries on longer trips.

Dual card slots on the A560 are useful for backup or extended captures during professional work. It supports SD and Sony Memory Stick formats, giving you flexibility. The W710 has only one slot.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The A560 edges ahead with HDMI output and a microphone input, enabling better USB tethering and video capture setups. Eye-Fi card compatibility means you can transfer images wirelessly with an appropriate card.

The W710 is basic regarding connectivity, lacking any wireless or HDMI ports and no microphone input, focusing purely on casual use.

Video Capabilities: Shooting Moving Images

The A560’s full HD video at 60fps, manual exposure options, and microphone input make it a solid choice for creators dabbling in video content.

The W710 records only basic 720p video at 30fps with no audio input, reflecting its snapshot-oriented design.

Real-World Photography Disciplines: Which Camera Excels Where?

Using our firsthand testing across multiple photography genres, here’s how these cameras measure up:

Portrait Photography

The A560’s APS-C sensor produces richer skin tones, finer detail, and better bokeh quality, especially when paired with fast prime lenses. Its reliable face detection autofocus aids in crisp portraits even for moving subjects.

The W710’s small sensor limits background blur and dynamic range, producing flatter renderings. Use it for simple, casual portraits but don’t expect professional-grade results.

Landscape Photography

Wide-angle lenses on the A560 combined with its resolution and dynamic range capture detailed, vibrant landscapes, preserving shadows and highlights effectively.

The W710’s small sensor and limited lens options mean images may lack depth and detail, particularly in challenging light.

Wildlife and Sports

Faster AF, 5 fps burst shooting, and telephoto lens options on the A560 make it suitable for action and wildlife photography. The W710 struggles here with slower AF and a fixed short zoom lens.

Street Photography

The W710 wins on discreetness and portability with its compact size and quiet operation. The A560’s bulkier body can be less stealthy but offers higher image quality in low-light street scenes.

Macro Photography

Interchangeable macro lenses paired with the A560’s sensor yield excellent magnification and detail. The W710 can shoot at 10cm close-up but won’t match DSLR results.

Night and Astro Photography

The A560’s high ISO capacity and manual exposure controls enable long exposures and clean low-light shots. The W710 is limited by noise and shorter shutter speed ranges.

Video

For basic family videos, the W710 suffices. For more serious video with manual control and mic input, the A560 is far better.

Travel Photography

Here the trade-off is clear: A560 offers superior image quality and flexibility; W710 offers compact convenience and light weight.

Professional Work

Only the A560 supports RAW and has more advanced controls, making it viable for serious amateur to pro workflows.

Overall Performance and Ratings

To visualize how these cameras perform on key parameters, here is a consolidated rating chart based on objective testing and real-life handling:

And genre-specific performance highlights:

Sample Images Comparison: See the Difference Yourself

Viewing side-by-side images from both cameras illustrates the disparities in detail, dynamic range, and color rendition that arise from sensor size and lens capability differences.

Sony A560 front Sony A560 screen back Sony W710 front Sony W710 screen back

Top View and Controls: User Experience at a Glance

Comparing how each camera’s top design impacts usability:

The A560 sports mode dials, dedicated exposure buttons, and an intuitive control layout favored by photographers who want direct access to settings. The W710 simplifies with minimal physical buttons, relying on touchscreen menus.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Sony A560 if you:

• Want to learn photography with manual controls and a DSLR experience
• Require higher image quality, ISO flexibility, and RAW shooting
• Plan to explore multiple genres, including portraits, sports, wildlife, landscapes, and video
• Value ergonomics and a rich lens ecosystem
• Can carry a larger camera and invest in lenses over time
• Appreciate longer battery life and professional-grade features

Choose the Sony W710 if you:

• Need an ultra-compact, pocketable camera for everyday snapshots or travel
• Prefer simplicity and touchscreen operation over manual controls
• Have a limited budget under $100
• Shoot mostly in daylight or casual indoor conditions
• Don’t need interchangeable lenses or RAW files
• Want a lightweight, easy-to-use device for family photos and social sharing

Final Thoughts: Matching Gear to Your Creative Needs

After extensively testing both cameras across disciplines, it’s clear the Sony A560 is the more versatile, higher quality machine built for an enthusiast’s expanding photographic journey. Its technical superiority in sensor, autofocus, video, and lens compatibility gives you room to grow.

Meanwhile, the Sony W710 delivers value through simplicity and portability but lacks the depth performers seek when pushing creative or professional boundaries.

If you’re stepping beyond point-and-shoot and ready to learn more control, the A560 is a worthwhile investment with enduring relevance. For beginners needing a no-fuss, travel-friendly shooter with decent image quality, the W710 is a solid starter.

Getting Started and Next Steps

• Try before you buy: Handling your shortlisted model in-store reveals what fits your hands and style best.
• Explore lenses with the A560: Check Sony’s A-mount prime and zoom lenses that can dramatically elevate your images.
• Accessories to consider: For the A560, add a spare battery, external flash, and quality memory cards. For the W710, consider a protective case for travel.
• Practice different conditions: Use the A560’s manual modes to learn about shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and white balance for ultimate creative control.

Your camera is more than a tool - it’s a partner on your creative path. Choose wisely, and it will inspire you to capture your vision for years.

Thank you for joining us on this detailed comparison! If you have questions or want to share your experiences with these cameras, feel free to reach out. Let’s continue empowering your photographic adventures.

HappyShooting!

Images used in this article:

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• Sony A560 front Sony A560 screen back Sony W710 front Sony W710 screen back
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