Sony NEX-7 vs Sony W310: An In-Depth Camera Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing the right camera can feel a bit like dating - you size each other up, wonder about compatibility, hash out expectations, and ultimately hope the relationship (read: photos!) flourishes. Today we're pitting two Sony models from very different worlds against each other: the advanced mirrorless Sony NEX-7, a 2011 herald for enthusiast-level shooters, and the humble ultracompact Sony W310, a 2010 point-and-shoot aimed at casual snappers. Both bear the Sony badge but cater to distinct needs.

Having personally used both in multiple settings - I’ve tested thousands of cameras over 15 years of photography gear review - I'll walk you through how they stack up across genres, tech specs, and real-world usability. Spoiler: these two cameras aren’t exactly competitors; more like a contrast in philosophies. But whether you want a pocket-friendly travel companion or a serious APS-C beast, this comparison will give you the lowdown to make an informed choice.

A Tale of Two Cameras: Form Factor and Handling

Let's start with the basics - size, ergonomics, and how the cameras feel in your hands.

At first glance, the Sony NEX-7 is noticeably larger and more substantial than the W310. The NEX-7 sports a rangefinder-style mirrorless body measuring roughly 120x67x43mm and weighing around 400 grams - no lightweight, but not bulky either. Its solid build quality gives it an air of professionalism and durability. In contrast, the W310 is tiny by comparison at just 95x55x19mm and a featherweight 137 grams, designed for pocketability and quick shots on the go.

From my experience, that extra heft translates into better handling with the NEX-7, especially if you’re pairing it with larger, heavier lenses. The dedicated grip and well-positioned buttons lend themselves to intuitive control during extended shoots - something the W310 simply can’t match. However, the W310 is charmingly discreet, perfect for street or casual snapshots where you don’t want to draw attention or lug around gear.

In summary: if you want something that nestles comfortably in your hand with tactile feedback and control access, the NEX-7 wins hands down. But if the utmost portability is a priority, the W310 is an excellent minimalist choice.

Design and Control - Who’s the Boss Here?

Size isn’t everything; control layouts greatly impact your shooting efficiency.

Looking at the top views, the NEX-7 impresses with dedicated dials and buttons for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation - a dream configuration for enthusiasts who prefer hands-on control over fiddly menus. Its tilting 3-inch LCD (more on that shortly) and electronic viewfinder help frame shots in bright sunlight or awkward angles.

The W310's top isn't nearly as sophisticated - no dedicated dials here, just a simple power button, shutter release, and zoom rocker. Commanding shooting parameters requires menu diving, typical for compact cameras prioritizing simplicity over customization.

Personally, I appreciate how the NEX-7 lets me adjust settings on the fly. For example, switching to aperture-priority mode or dialing exposure compensation is seamless - a crucial advantage when lighting varies rapidly, such as during landscape golden hours or dynamic street scenes.

The W310 caters more to novices or travelers who prefer “auto everything” and point-and-shoot convenience without distracting button combos. It’s friendly but limits control freedom - exactly as Sony engineered it.

Sensor and Image Quality Face-Off

Here’s where these two really part ways: sensor size, resolution, and the resulting image quality differences.

The NEX-7 boasts a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (approximately 23.5x15.6mm) with a dedicated Bionz processor. This sensor size is roughly 13 times larger than the tiny 1/2.3" (6.17x4.55mm) CCD on the W310, which sports a 12-megapixel max resolution.

What does this mean practically? The larger sensor on the NEX-7 captures far more light, yielding superior image detail, dynamic range (measured at 13.4 EV by DxO Mark for the NEX-7), and lower noise at high ISO settings. The smaller sensor on the W310 struggles in low-light, producing softer images riddled with noise beyond ISO 400 or so.

In real-world terms, portraits taken with the NEX-7 show crisp textures and subtle skin tones, while the W310 images feel flat and less sharp, more snapshot than art. The NEX-7’s anti-aliasing filter helps reduce moiré while preserving fine detail. Plus, its RAW support opens doors for serious post-processing workflows - a missing feature on the W310, which shoots only JPEG.

For landscape shooters hungry for resolution and latitude, the NEX-7’s sensor delivers excellent image files that hold up for large prints and cropping. The W310 is fine for quick sharing and smaller prints but won’t satisfy anyone looking to seriously push image quality.

Shooting Experience: Viewfinders and Screens

How you interact with the camera’s framing and settings can make or break your workflow.

The NEX-7 features both a 3-inch tilting LCD with 921k-dot resolution and a modest electronic viewfinder (EVF) covering 100% frame with 0.73x magnification. For me, that EVF is invaluable in bright conditions where LCD glare is a pain. It also helps stability by bracing the camera against your face.

On the other hand, the W310 eschews a viewfinder entirely and includes a tiny fixed 2.7-inch LCD at a meager 230k dots. Set your expectations accordingly - the screen is more than adequate for framing casual shots but becomes unwieldy in bright, outdoor light with washed-out colors and low detail.

Neither camera comes equipped with a touchscreen, and neither is selfie-friendly (no flip screen or front-facing display), but the NEX-7 offers a more engaging manual live-view experience, letting you preview exposure changes instantly.

In summation: The NEX-7 provides versatile, bright, and sharp viewing options perfect for composed or fast-paced shooting. The W310 suffices for casual point-and-shoot use but is definitely behind the curve for more advanced needs.

Sharpness, Autofocus, and Burst Shooting – Speed Demands

Fast autofocus and sustained shooting performance are crucial for wildlife, sports, and street photographers.

Sony NEX-7:

• Contrast-detection autofocus with 25 focus points
• Continuous AF and single AF modes supported
• Up to 10fps continuous shooting burst
• No phase-detection AF or face tracking autofocus (note the era)
• No animal eye AF

Sony W310:

• 9 autofocus points, contrast detection only
• Single AF mode only, no continuous tracking
• Single shot per shutter press, no burst mode

The NEX-7’s autofocus system feels more precise and flexible, suitable for tracking moderately moving subjects. Its 10fps burst at full 24MP resolution is impressive for a camera launched in 2011. While its AF isn’t as lightning-fast as today's phase-detection hybrids, it’s adequate for portraits, moderate action, and some wildlife scenarios when using the right lens.

The W310’s autofocus lag and single shot rate sharply limit its use beyond casual scenes. Hunting down moving subjects or rapid focusing is a non-starter here.

When testing the NEX-7 for sports and wildlife, I found the burst rate can capture action sequences adequately - though it’s not quite up to pro standards with tracking limitations. The W310, in contrast, is best for static scenes or leisurely snaps.

Portraits and Bokeh: Can the Compact Hold a Candle?

Portraiture is about flattering skin tones, accurate focus on eyes, and nice subject separation via bokeh.

The NEX-7’s 24MP sensor backed by a vast Sony E-mount lens ecosystem (over 120 lenses) makes creative portraiture a joy. Pair it with fast primes like the Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS and you get creamy backgrounds with smooth bokeh and sharp, detailed eyes thanks to the camera’s face detection AF.

The W310’s small sensor and fixed zoom zoom lens lack the shallow depth of field or optical quality to deliver professional-grade portraits. Skin tones can appear flat and washed out, and bokeh is limited by the modest maximum aperture (F3.0-5.8).

If you’re serious about portraiture, especially with eye detection, the NEX-7’s larger sensor and superior autofocus offer a clear advantage.

Landscapes, Resolution, and Weather Sealing

Landscape photography benefits heavily from resolution and dynamic range, as well as rugged build for harsh conditions.

The NEX-7’s 24MP APS-C sensor shines here, offering high resolution and excellent latitude to retain sky and shadow detail. Its tilting LCD helps with framing low or high compositions. Unfortunately, there’s no weather sealing, so consider protective housing or weatherproof lenses for outdoor adventures.

The W310 is neither sealed nor equipped for serious landscapes. The small sensor and limited zoom provide little flexibility, and low dynamic range hampers highlight retention. Its modest lens (28–112mm equivalent) is fine for snapshots but won’t satisfy landscape purists.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Reach

For wildlife and sports shooters, autofocus speed, continuous shooting, and lens options can make or break the day.

The NEX-7 aligns somewhat with entry-level APS-C cameras from its era. Its 10fps burst is respectable, and with compatible Sony E-mount telephoto lenses (e.g., 55–210mm), it can get you close to subjects. Still, no real-time tracking or animal eye AF means you have to work harder to get tack-sharp shots.

The W310’s fixed lens and slow AF make it a nonstarter for anything beyond casual pet photos or stationary wildlife. No significant burst mode makes capturing action impossible.

Street Photography: Discretion and Quick Operation

Street shooters value portability, speed, and unobtrusiveness.

The W310’s small, quiet operation makes it a candid-friendly option. However, slow AF and limited manual control can frustrate those wanting precise exposures or rapid focus shifts.

The NEX-7, while larger, is still compact enough to carry discreetly with a pancake lens. Its fast manual focus and control dials favor street shooters who want quick, creative shots under varied conditions.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Magnification

Neither camera specializes in macro, but let’s compare their capabilities.

The W310 offers a 5cm minimum focus distance, decent for casual close-ups of flowers or objects but limited magnification due to small sensor and simpler optics.

The NEX-7 can leverage dedicated macro lenses from Sony’s lineup, sometimes offering 1:1 magnification and finer focus adjustments. Plus, manual focus aids precision work.

Night and Astro: Noise and Exposure Control

Low-light and astro photography heavily rely on sensor performance and exposure flexibility.

The NEX-7’s ISO maxes out at 16,000, and while noise rises above ISO 3200, its APS-C sensor maintains respectable clarity. Manual exposure modes, long shutter capabilities (up to 30s), and RAW shooting allow for star trails or nightscapes with proper technique.

The W310’s top ISO 3200 isn’t very effective due to sensor noise, and shutter speeds are limited to 1/1 sec minimum. No manual exposure further restricts astro ambitions.

Video Capabilities: Recording and Audio

Video enthusiasts may find both cameras modest.

The NEX-7 records Full HD 1080p at 60fps and 24fps, uses AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, and includes a microphone port (no headphone jack, though). The lack of in-body stabilization means lenses with OSS help stabilize footage.

The W310 maxes out at VGA 640x480 - definitely a bygone era - and no audio input options. Perfectly fine for casual video clips but obsolete by modern standards.

Travel Photography: Battery Life and Versatility

Travelers want a capable, versatile camera that won’t compromise on battery or weight.

The NEX-7 provides approximately 430 shots per battery charge - quite decent for mirrorless cameras of its age - and takes SD cards + multiple storage formats, making it flexible in data management. The size fits in a small bag but likely not your pocket.

The W310 weighs just 137 grams and slips into a jacket pocket. Battery life isn’t listed officially but, given its minimal sensor circuitry, it will comfortably last for many shots on a single charge in casual shooting.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow

For professionals, RAW support, file management, and reliable exposure control matter.

The NEX-7 shines here with:

• RAW shooting
• Manual exposure modes (shutter/aperture priority)
• Exposure compensation bracketing
• Custom white balance

The W310 supports none of these - its fixed settings and JPEG-only capture make it a simple snapshot tool, not a professional’s workflow partner.

Connectivity and Extras

The NEX-7 offers Eye-Fi card support (that’s early Wi-Fi via memory card) and HDMI out, while the W310 has no wireless connectivity or HDMI.

No Bluetooth or GPS on either.

Price and Value Considerations

Initially, the NEX-7 launched around $699, making it a high-performing enthusiast camera with a relatively accessible price compared to pro DSLRs.

The W310 was priced affordably at roughly $150, aimed at beginner buyers or those seeking absolute simplicity.

In today’s used market, prices vary, but keep in mind what you’re getting: the NEX-7 brings capabilities far beyond the W310’s casual snapshot niche.

Wrapping Up with Scores and Genre-Specific Recommendations

After extensively testing these cameras, here’s our overall rating snapshot:

Summary of strengths:

Who should buy the Sony NEX-7?

• Photographers who want high image quality with 24MP APS-C sensor
• Users wanting manual controls for creative freedom (portraits, landscapes)
• Enthusiasts shooting wildlife, sports, and events needing burst and AF speed
• Travelers needing versatile system with lens interchangeability
• Videographers needing FullHD and mic input within a compact body
• Professionals wanting RAW and reliable exposure control for workflow integration

Who might consider the Sony W310?

• Absolute beginners or casual shooters seeking pocketable simplicity
• Travelers and everyday users wanting quick, effortless snapshots
• Those on a strict budget who don’t require advanced features or manual mode
• Shooters not concerned with image quality beyond social media sharing

Final Thoughts

Comparing the Sony NEX-7 and Sony W310 is a bit like comparing a seasoned mountain guide with a neighborhood cyclist: both have their place, but the level of capability and expectancies differ wildly.

The NEX-7, despite being over a decade old, still holds its own as a mirrorless APS-C powerhouse with competent features that satisfy serious photographers. It rewards you with detailed, clean images; flexibility to tailor shots; and a professional-style shooting experience.

The ultra-compact W310 trades sophistication for simplicity and portability, excelling in candid casual use but falling short in image quality, speed, and advanced options.

My recommendation boils down to your photographic ambitions and budget. For quality, creative control, and long-term growth, the Sony NEX-7 is the far stronger choice. If you need a tiny camera to grab quick, decently lit snaps without fuss, the W310 fits the bill.

Happy shooting, whichever path you choose!

Sony NEX 7 front Sony NEX 7 screen back Sony W310 screen back