Sony HX5 vs Sony W330: The Compact Camera Showdown from 2010

When it comes to compact cameras from the early 2010s, the Sony Cyber-shot lineup was undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser. Two models often come up in discussions among collectors, enthusiasts dabbling in travel photography, or casual shooters looking for an affordable compact: the Sony HX5 and the Sony W330. Both were launched in 2010, just months apart, and target similar pockets - yet offer substantially different shooting experiences.

As someone who has kickstarted countless photo trips, tested hundreds of cameras in varied lighting and disciplines firsthand, and lived through the golden compact era where megapixels and zoom ranges were marketing battlegrounds, I found this matchup a nostalgic but revealing case study. These cameras sit on different rungs of the compact ladder but share DNA in Sony’s design philosophy and sensor tech of the time.

In this article, I’m putting these two compact stalwarts head to head, diving deep into their technical makeup, real-world usability, and performance across photographic genres - from portraiture to wildlife, urban street snaps to nightscapes. I’ll also give you actionable insights on which camera fits your shooting style and budget, with the critical eye only years of experience in the field can sharpen.

Let’s get cracking.

Getting to Know Our Contenders: Sony HX5 & Sony W330 in Context

Sony’s Cyber-shot range in 2010 was prolific, with the HX5 and W330 carving niches for themselves. The HX5 was a “small sensor compact” with a 10 MP BSI-CMOS sensor and a powerful 10x optical zoom (25-250mm equivalent) - a versatile tool for enthusiasts craving more reach without bulk. The W330 traded zoom length for size; it was an “ultracompact” with a 14 MP CCD sensor but a shorter 4x optical zoom (26-105mm equivalent).

These specs alone hint at design priorities: HX5 aims for zoom versatility and some advanced features (like full HD video), while W330 opts for pocketability and higher pixel count.

Before we delve deeper into features and comparisons, let's take a look at their physical dimensions and ergonomics.

The HX5 measures 102×58×29 mm and weighs around 200 grams - chunkier than the W330’s neat 96×57×17 mm and featherweight 128 grams. Holding them side by side, you feel HX5’s heft and more substantial grip, which translates to steadier handling, especially at longer focal lengths. The W330 feels like a trusty pocket companion, disappearing easily into tight jeans pockets but sacrificing some handling comfort for that compactness.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Does Megapixel Count Tell the Full Story?

At first blush, the W330's 14 MP CCD sensor outnumbers the HX5's 10 MP BSI-CMOS sensor. More megapixels often mean more detail - or so we'd like to think. But sensor size and type matter a lot, especially in compacts.

Here's how their sensors compare visually:

The HX5 uses a 1/2.4" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.10 x 4.58 mm, while the W330 sports a slightly larger 1/2.3" CCD sensor of 6.17 x 4.55 mm. So physically, they’re nearly identical in imaging surface, but technology-wise, BSI-CMOS sensors tend to outperform CCDs in low light due to better photon capture efficiency.

Real-world results: The HX5 produces cleaner images at high ISO, with less noise creeping in beyond ISO 800 - a crucial advantage for indoor or low-light photography. Conversely, the W330, despite its higher resolution, exhibits more noticeable noise and detail degradation past ISO 400, classic CCD limitations.

The difference is particularly evident in dynamic range - the HX5’s CMOS sensor manages subtle shadow and highlight detail better. This advantage impacts landscape and portrait shooters who want to preserve details in the brightest and darkest portions of a scene.

A fun experiment I did was to shoot the same sunset scene with both cameras set at ISO 200 and matched aperture and shutter speed. The HX5 delivered richer, truer tones with a more natural gradient in the sky, while the W330’s image looked flatter and showed more chromatic noise in shadow areas.

Resolution-wise, the W330’s 14 MP images can produce a maximum size of 4320 x 3240 pixels versus the HX5’s 3456 x 2592. Yet, pixel peeping showed diminishing returns, as the noise, and anti-aliasing filters on both slightly diluted sharpness.

Bottom line: If image quality and low-light performance matter to you, the HX5’s sensor technology offers a practical edge despite nominally fewer megapixels.

Lens and Zoom: Punching Above Their Weight

Zoom range can make or break a compact camera’s versatility - especially when you want more than snapshots.

The HX5 boasts a 10x zoom from 25-250mm equivalent with an aperture range of f/3.5-5.5, whereas the W330 has a 4x zoom from 26-105mm at f/2.7-5.7.

This difference is substantial in practice. The HX5 can reach distant subjects - say, an urban skyline or a timid wildlife subject - while the W330 stays restricted to modest telephoto framing.

That said, HX5’s lens is physically longer and slower in aperture at telephoto, which can make handheld shots noisier without image stabilization. Thankfully, the HX5 includes Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, crucial for maintaining sharpness during zoomed telephoto shots. The W330, frustratingly, has no stabilization, which can result in more blurred edges unless you shoot at high shutter speeds or pack a tripod.

Both models support macro focusing: the HX5 focusing down to 5 cm and W330 nudging a little closer at 4 cm. Close-up shooters wanting fine detail in flora or small objects will appreciate the W330’s slightly tighter macro capability.

Another important usability note: The HX5 offers manual exposure controls, albeit limited, letting you tweak shutter and aperture - a rarity in compacts at this price point. The W330 lacks manual exposure modes entirely, reflecting its more point-and-shoot-oriented audience.

Body, Design, and Handling: More Than Skin Deep

Beyond dimensions, how do these cameras feel and perform in your hands day-to-day?

Looking from above, the HX5 offers a conventional control layout designed to prioritize quick access to zoom, mode dial, and playback buttons. Its modestly sized grip provides better purchase for extended shooting sessions, reducing hand fatigue - especially important when hiking or zooming in wildlife photography.

Conversely, the W330’s ultra-slim profile results in a minimalist design with fewer physical controls - great for speedy snapshots but less comfortable for deliberate shooting. The buttons are smaller and less tactile, and with no dedicated mode dial, you’ll toggle through shooting modes using menus - slowing down your workflow somewhat.

In my time shooting street scenes and quick events, the HX5's ergonomics really shine. It feels more confident in your grip and allows for faster manual adjustments without fumbling menus. The W330, however, shines in the pure portability department - an ideal pocket shooter for spontaneous moments where you don’t want to draw attention.

Both cameras share a fixed 3-inch 230k-dot LCD screen. No touch or articulating options here.

The screens are identical in size and resolution, but due to the HX5’s slightly larger body, it feels less cramped and is easier to maintain a steady hold. The W330’s bright sunny-day visibility is average at best - standard fare for cameras of this era.

Neither model features any viewfinder, electronic or optical, which is a trade-off for compactness but detracts slightly from composition precision in bright outdoor conditions.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Your Subject

For many, autofocus ability can make or break a camera in real-world use, especially for fast-moving subjects. Both the HX5 and W330 employ contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points and center-weighted focus as their default.

Neither offers phase-detection AF, face detection, or eye/animal tracking, which weren’t common in entry-level compacts back then.

Continuous autofocus modes and burst shooting? The HX5 edges ahead with a 10 fps continuous burst, albeit with fixed focus after the first frame - not truly continuous AF tracking. The W330 maxes out at a sluggish 2 fps burst.

Of course, in fast-action or wildlife photography, these burst rates are still limited compared to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. But between these two, the HX5 is better suited to freeze fleeting moments.

In my tests capturing fast-moving kids and street performers, the HX5 felt more responsive to focus lock and frame rate, while the W330 lagged behind and sometimes hunted in low light.

Video Abilities: Who’s the Better Videographer?

By 2010, video capability was creeping into compact cameras but still limited.

The HX5 supports AVCHD FullHD (1080p) video at 60fps, as well as 720p HD modes, making it one of the stronger shooters for casual video users in its class.

In contrast, the W330 shoots only VGA-resolution (640x480) video at 30fps in Motion JPEG format - very basic and somewhat outdated even for 2010.

No microphones, no headphone jacks, no in-body stabilization during video on either model - so don’t expect cinematic footage. However, the HX5’s 1080p video with smooth frame rates and acceptable sharpness make it far more viable for travel vlogging or home movies.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

The HX5 uses an NP-BG1 battery, while the W330 runs on smaller NP-BN1 cells. Both offer moderate battery life suitable for casual shooting but require spares for daylong sessions.

Neither camera supports wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (which was rarer at the time), limiting instant image transfer capabilities.

Storage on the HX5 is more flexible - it supports Memory Stick Duo and optional SD/SDHC cards, whereas the W330 supports a broader range including SD, SDHC, and Memory Stick formats.

Performance Recap: Which Camera Excels Where?

Here’s a handy visual representation of overall performance based on my testing in lab and field conditions:

And here is a breakdown of genre-specific suitability:

• Portrait Photography: HX5’s better sensor and manual control produce more natural skin tones with smoother bokeh at telephoto, despite somewhat limited aperture. The W330's higher resolution helps catch detail but struggles in low light.
• Landscape Photography: Dynamic range advantage leans toward HX5, with better highlight recovery. Weather sealing absent in both, mind.
• Wildlife: HX5’s 10x zoom and faster autofocus burst mode give it a clear edge over W330’s shorter zoom and slow shooting.
• Sports: Neither suitable for serious sports, but HX5 better tracks moving subjects at all.
• Street: W330 wins for portability and sheer discreetness but sacrifices autofocus responsiveness.
• Macro: Both perform similarly; W330 slightly closer focus distance.
• Night/Astro: Only HX5 registers as capable beyond very basic shots due to sensor tech.
• Video: HX5 superior with Full HD; W330 laggard with VGA only.
• Travel: HX5 offers more versatility; W330 excels in pocket-friendly simplicity.
• Professional Use: Neither intended for pro workflows but HX5's manual exposure provides marginal creative control.

Sample Image Gallery: Putting Pixels to the Test

Enough talk - here are side-by-side crops and full-frame samples from both cameras under various conditions, including daylight landscapes, indoor portraits, and telephoto zoom shots.

Sony HX5 front Sony HX5 screen back Sony W330 front Sony W330 screen back

You’ll notice the HX5’s better control over color rendition and noise, especially at 800 ISO and above.

Bringing It All Together: Which Should You Buy?

With all that said, our final recommendations come down to your shooting priorities:

• Choose the Sony HX5 if:
  You want serious zoom reach, better low-light performance, HD video capability, and some manual control for flexible shooting. It’s a great choice for travel enthusiasts, casual wildlife photographers, and hobbyists who want more than just simple snapshots. The trade-off is a bulkier body and a slightly higher price tag (~$275 at launch).

• Choose the Sony W330 if:
  You prioritize ultra-portability and ease of use above all else. The W330 is a pocket-friendly, no-fuss camera for tourists, street photographers, or beginners who want quick access to higher resolution stills without burning a hole in the wallet (~$170 at launch). Just don’t expect stellar video or telephoto zoom.

Final Musings: A Walk Down Memory Lane with Practical Wisdom

Looking back at this comparison reminds me how far compact cameras have evolved - and how much camera users must weigh trade-offs between size, sensor technology, and features. Neither camera is cutting-edge by today's standards, yet both remind us that the essence of photography lies in balancing convenience and creative potential.

If you stumble upon either the HX5 or W330 in a bargain bin, they still have charm and utility - particularly if you enjoy shooting handheld, prefer a simple workflow, or are curious about sensor tech evolution.

For more serious work today, I’d recommend stepping up to a modern mirrorless system or high-end compact like Sony’s RX100 series. But as historical snapshots of their era, these cameras continue to serve as fine teaching tools for photography enthusiasts honing their craft.

Thanks for bearing with me on this deep dive - may it help you pick the compact companion that fits your photography adventures just right.

Happy shooting!

The End.