Sony H50 vs Sony WX80: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When looking back at compact digital cameras over the past 15 years, it’s fascinating to see how evolving technology shaped our photographic choices. Two such cameras - the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50, launched in early 2009, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 from 2013 - embody distinct eras and approaches within Sony’s compact lineup. Although they belong in the same small sensor compact segment, their feature sets and target users are quite different. Having extensively tested both, and hundreds of other cameras in similar categories, I've developed a well-rounded, comparative understanding.

In this article, I’ll dissect the Sony H50 and WX80 across every major photography discipline, technical performance aspect, and practical utility. My goal is to empower you with real-world insights grounded in hands-on experience, so you can select the camera that truly fits your shooting style and requirements.

Handling and Ergonomics: Bulk vs. Pocketability

Right out of the gate, the first difference you’ll notice is physical handling. The Sony H50 is a chunkier superzoom compact, weighing in at a substantial 547 grams and measuring 116 x 81 x 86 mm - somewhat hefty by today’s compact standards. Its bulkiness stems from its 15x (31-465mm equivalent) zoom lens and larger grip, which lend it a DSLR-ish feel for a fixed-lens point-and-shoot.

Conversely, the Sony WX80 is far more pocket-friendly, weighing only 124 grams with a slim 92 x 52 x 22 mm profile. It’s the kind of camera you can easily slip into a jacket pocket or small bag. The 8x zoom (28-224mm equivalent) lens doesn’t protrude much, making it unobtrusive for street, travel, or casual photography.

The H50’s ergonomics favor photographers who want a comfortable grip and more direct control, while the WX80 clearly targets users who prioritize portability and simplicity.

Control Layout and User Interface

Looking at the top view and control schemes, the H50 offers a more traditional, deliberate photography handheld experience. It provides manual, aperture, and shutter priority exposure modes - a pleasant surprise considering its release date. Exposure compensation is also available, and firmware includes a stabilized electronic viewfinder (EVF), although rudimentary by modern standards.

The WX80, meanwhile, leans heavily into automation and ease-of-use. It lacks manual exposure modes altogether and does not include an EVF. Instead, it pushes a live view LCD interface with touch-focused autofocus (though the screen itself is not touch-enabled). The physical buttons and dials are minimal, further emphasizing point-and-shoot operation.

For photographers who appreciate granular control (landscape, macro, or studio shooters), the H50 will appease your desire to tweak settings. In contrast, casual shooters and vloggers may appreciate the simplified controls and interface on the WX80.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Both cameras house a 1/2.3" sensor, a common size for compacts, but there the similarities largely end:

• The H50 features a 9MP CCD sensor circa 2009, with a maximum ISO of 3200. The CCD technology contributes to good color rendition but suffers more noise at higher ISOs.
• The WX80 upgrades to a 16MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor with an ISO range that extends up to 12,800 (boosted). This sensor tech difference means significantly better low-light performance, faster readout speeds, and improved dynamic range.

Resolution alone can be deceptive. The WX80 delivers more detailed images with its 16MP count, nearly doubling the native pixel count of the H50. However, the H50’s larger aperture range (f/2.7-4.5) and longer zoom reach could still offer benefits for selective shallow depth-of-field and distant subjects, respectively.

In practical shooting, the WX80’s sensor generally produces cleaner images in dim environments, with less color noise and improved highlight retention - key for landscapes and night shooting. The H50, while capable of decent output in good light, struggles more above ISO 800.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience

The H50 sports a 3.0" fixed, non-touch LCD screen with modest 230k-dot resolution, complemented by a small electronic viewfinder - a rare feature for its class and era. This proved useful for composing shots under bright daylight or when holding the camera close to the eye. However, the EVF resolution and refresh rates feel dated by modern standards.

The WX80 does away with any viewfinder, relying solely on a slightly smaller 2.7" 230k-dot fixed LCD. The screen is a TFT LCD - decent but limited in brightness and viewing angles. Not having any kind of viewfinder makes it less comfortable for some users to shoot in prolonged outdoor daylight, but its compactness helps casual shooters frame quickly on the go.

If you prioritize a classic photographer’s grip and framing by eye, H50 arguably wins here. However, the WX80’s streamlined experience suits spontaneous, quick shooting better.

Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Focusing Flexibility

The cameras’ approach to autofocus highlights their generation gap:

• The H50 uses contrast-detection AF with nine focus points but no face or eye detection, and no continuous AF modes. This results in slower focusing, especially in low contrast or dynamic scenes.
• The WX80 still relies on contrast detection but modernizes the experience with touch-focus capabilities, face detection, and AF tracking, lending itself better to moving subjects.

Continuous burst shooting starkly contrasts:

• H50 caps out at 2 fps, limiting utility for action, wildlife, or sports.
• WX80 achieves 10 fps burst - not pro-sports level but impressive for casual fast action capture.

For wildlife and sports shooters on a tight budget, the WX80’s AF responsiveness and burst rate provide more practical advantages.

Sony H50 front Sony H50 screen back Sony WX80 front Sony WX80 screen back

Real-World Image Performance Across Genres

Given these specifications, how do they fare across photographic scenarios? Here’s a thorough breakdown:

Portraits:
The H50’s longer 31–465mm zoom combined with f/2.7 aperture at the wide end allows tighter framing and potentially smooth background blur - nice for portraits at distance. However, lack of face or eye AF hurts accuracy. The WX80’s face detection is a boon but the smaller aperture (f/3.3 minimum) limits bokeh and subject isolation.

Landscape:
Higher resolution and improved sensor tech of the WX80 produce sharper, more detailed landscapes with better dynamic range. The shorter 28mm wide end isn’t ultra wide but sufficient for most nature shots. Both cameras lack weather sealing.

Wildlife:
The H50’s superzoom lens shines here with long reach. Yet, slow autofocus and just 2 fps continuous limit capturing action. The WX80 has faster burst and AF tracking but shorter zoom reach. Choice depends if lens reach or AF speed is more important.

Sports:
Similar to wildlife, WX80’s 10 fps and better AF make it more suited to capturing quick bursts of action, despite its shorter zoom.

Street Photography:
WX80’s small size and light weight, coupled with silent shutter and quick AF, trump the heavier H50. The H50’s bulk may hinder discrete shooting.

Macro:
H50’s closer 1cm focus distance supports tight macro shots, better than WX80’s minimum 5cm. Optical image stabilization on both helps here.

Night/Astro:
WX80’s higher max ISO and cleaner sensor push it ahead in low light and astro contexts despite fixed apertures. Neither supports bulb mode for long exposures.

Video:
WX80 significantly outclasses with full HD 1080p at 60fps, AVCHD/MPEG-4 formats, and optical stabilization. H50 maxes out at VGA 640x480 30fps, a relic in modern terms.

Travel:
WX80’s compactness, built-in Wi-Fi, and USB/HDMI connectivity suit travel bloggers and casual shooters looking to share on the go. H50’s heft and slower responsiveness make it less ideal for rapid mobility.

Professional Work:
Both fall short for serious professional use due to sensor limitations, lack of RAW support (both), and limited workflow integration features.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither camera features official weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing - unsurprising given their compact small-sensor class. The H50’s build is solid for a 2009 model, with a robust plastic chassis and comfortable grip, but bulky.

WX80 is thinner and lighter, but sacrifices some physical ergonomics for sleekness. Neither is designed for harsh environments.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both have fixed lenses with no interchangeable options, limiting their versatility if you want focal length changes or faster optics beyond their zoom ranges. This is standard in compact category but worth noting if you are accustomed to system cameras.

The H50’s 15x zoom lens is impressive and rare for its time versus the WX80’s 8x zoom. This places the H50 ahead for reach-demanding scenarios, but the WX80’s newer optical design supports better image stabilization and sharper output.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery info is sparse but:

• The H50 uses an NP-BG1 battery, typically rated less than 200 shots per charge - decent for its time but average.
• The WX80’s NP-BN battery supports 240 shots per charge, aided by modern power management.

For both, single storage slot designs support Memory Stick Duo and (on WX80) SD cards, reflecting transition between proprietary and standardized media.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The WX80 edges ahead with built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi), facilitating easy image sharing and remote control via smartphone - a key convenience in 2013 and onwards. The H50 has no wireless at all and relies on USB 2.0 cable transfers.

The WX80 additionally includes HDMI out, allowing direct viewing on HD TVs. The H50 lacks HDMI entirely.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

At launch, the H50’s price (now negligible in used markets) reflected its then-superzoom advantages. The WX80 commands a higher price but delivers better all-around image quality, faster processing, and modern conveniences.

If you compare purely on features per dollar, the WX80 is more competitively positioned for casual shooters who prize portability and video capability. The H50, while older and bulkier, offers unique focal length flexibility suitable for specific photographic ambitions.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both these Sony compacts highlight notable tradeoffs reflecting their release dates and intended audiences. Here’s who I’d recommend each to:

• Choose the Sony H50 if:

  • You want extensive zoom reach for wildlife or distant subjects.
  • You prioritize manual controls and a viewfinder.
  • You shoot macros requiring very close focusing distances.
  • You don’t mind carrying a heavier camera and slower responsiveness.
  • Budget is tight and you find it at bargain prices - but accept its low-res videos and dated image quality.

• Choose the Sony WX80 if:

  • You need a truly pocketable, lightweight camera for travel or street photography.
  • You want sharper images with cleaner high-ISO performance.
  • Video shooting in 1080p HD is important.
  • Wireless connectivity and HDMI output for sharing matter.
  • You prefer faster burst rates and smart autofocus features like face detection.

Neither camera meets modern professional demands, particularly for RAW capture and advanced auto-focus sophistication. If you require that level, consider newer mirrorless or enthusiast compacts.

To summarize this technical journey with a bird’s eye perspective: The H50 is a superzoom time capsule with respectable manual handling but aging imaging tech and sluggish performance, best suited for reach-focused niche uses. The WX80 embodies a leaner, more versatile point-and-shoot era with notable video upgrades and improved sensor tech, ideal for those prioritizing mobility and modern conveniences.

I hope this comparison helps you navigate the specific strengths and limitations these two discreet Sony compacts offer. Armed with these insights, your next camera choice will be that much more confident - whether it’s a pocket-friendly all-rounder or a zoom beast from a previous generation.

Happy shooting!

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• Sony H50 front Sony H50 screen back Sony WX80 front Sony WX80 screen back