Sony HX50V vs Sony WX300: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Two Compact Superzooms

In the realm of compact superzoom cameras, Sony has long been a dominant player, offering that magical mix of pocketability and versatile focal range critical for enthusiasts and casual shooters alike. Today, we’re bringing two close cousins face to face: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300. Both hit the market in 2013 and promise to deliver the convenience of a fixed lens with immense zoom ranges, but their differences run much deeper - enough to influence who should pick which one.

As someone who has stunned friends, frustrated clients, and occasionally amazed myself with literally thousands of compact cameras over the past 15+ years, I dove into both models with an eye on real-world usability, quirks, and image quality. Spoiler: these aren’t just numbers on a spec sheet. They are expressions of Sony’s design philosophy at different tiers, with clear compromises and advantages.

So, buckle up, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s explore how these two superzooms measure up from sensor size to shutter speeds, autofocus to video chops, and everything in between.

Size, Handling, and Design: Feel the Difference

When it comes to pocket compacts, size really matters - not just how the camera fits in your pocket but also how it feels in the hand during those extended shooting sessions. At first glance, looking side by side, the HX50V and WX300 share a resemblance typical of Sony’s 2013 lineup. However, a closer inspection reveals some telling contrasts in ergonomics and build.

The HX50V weighs 272g with dimensions of 108x64x38mm, making it notably chunkier than the WX300’s featherlight 166g at 96x55x25mm. The extra bulk of the HX50V isn’t just vanity - Sony clearly aimed for more control and grip, and it shows. The extended barrel of the 30x lens on the HX50V adds to its girth (and presence), but that translates to steadier handling - especially at longer focal lengths where any shake feels amplified.

The WX300, by contrast, feels akin to a sleek lipstick case - it slips easily into a jacket pocket or purse. For street photographers who prioritize discreetness and quick access, this slim profile is a boon. That said, the smaller footprint comes with trade-offs in control layout and physical feedback, which we’ll explore next.

Control Layouts and User Interface: Finding Your Groove

The tactile interface can make or break the shooting experience. Sony’s user interface, especially on compacts, tends to be close to the mark but sometimes leaves you wishing for more manual control or ergonomic refinement.

You can see the HX50V sports dedicated dials for shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes - licenses which give you granular control over your shots. Its shutter button is generously sized and rings with zoom control, and the rear buttons provide solid feedback. While not a professional-grade control cluster by any means, it punches above the WX300 in enthusiast appeal.

The WX300 sadly lacks any manual exposure modes - it relies predominantly on auto settings, and much of its operation occurs through menu diving or point and shoot defaults. The continuous shooting button shares a small footprint, and the lack of a dedicated exposure compensation dial might frustrate photographers who want quick tweaks. For the casual snapper, this UI might even be a relief, as it favors speed and simplicity over nuance.

In my testing, switching quickly between shooting modes on the HX50V feels intuitive - useful when lighting conditions change or you want more creative freedom. On the WX300, the experience is more “point, shoot, hope for the best,” which again depends strongly on your photographic ambitions.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor and Image Quality

No camera discussion is complete without sinking teeth into the sensor and resultant image quality. Both these models employ 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensors - a standard in compact superzooms - but there are subtle, performance-shaping variations.

The HX50V boasts a 20-megapixel sensor, compared to the WX300’s 18 megapixels. At these sensor sizes, megapixel differences tend to have marginal real-life impact, but Sony’s HX50V slightly edges forward for resolution potential - captured in its maximum image size of 5184x2920 pixels versus WX300’s 4896x3672 pixels.

By digging deeper into real-world output, I noticed the HX50V maintained better detail preservation, particularly in moderate light. Its sensor benefitted from a cleaner signal-to-noise ratio at ISO 800 and 1600 than the WX300, supporting that extra pixel count well without unnerving noise creep.

In terms of dynamic range, neither sensor offers the latitude found in larger-sensor cameras, naturally. However, the HX50V yielded a tad better retention of highlight detail under bright conditions, likely due to a more modern image processor (though not explicitly detailed by Sony).

The WX300’s sensor felt a touch more compressed in JPEG outputs, and raw shooting isn’t supported on either model, limiting post-processing freedom - a crucial note for serious users.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

When timing is everything (and it often is), autofocus and shooting responsiveness can make or break the shot.

Both models support 10fps continuous shooting, which is impressive on paper and ideal for sports, wildlife, or catching the elusive “decisive moment.” But - here’s the rub - not all autofocus systems are created equal.

The HX50V uses contrast-detection autofocus enhanced with face detection, enabling more reliable eye-catching focus lock, especially in good lighting. Its AF tracking performed decently in my tests on moving subjects, swiftly shifting focus with minimal hunting. However, in low-light or high-contrast scenes, it sometimes hesitated - typical of contrast AF tech on compact sensors.

The WX300 also features face-priority AF but relies solely on basic contrast detection without advanced tracking or continuous AF modes (no continuous AF at all). This made it more “shoot and pray” in dynamic situations. If your style involves fast action or wildlife, the WX300 will often leave you wanting.

Manual focus is a luxury reserved for the HX50V, which I found helpful when experimenting with macro shots or tricky backlit scenarios. The WX300 offers no manual focus control at all.

Lens and Zoom Versatility: A Tale of Two Superzooms

The lens defines not only the versatility but also the eventual quality character of these cameras.

The HX50V’s 30x optical zoom spans a focal length of 24-720mm (35mm equivalent), which is truly remarkable for a compact. That long reach opens new creative doors - distant wildlife, isolated portraits, or compressed landscapes come into reach with respectable sharpness. Aperture ranges from f/3.5 to f/6.3, typical for superzooms, though it starts to close the depth-of-field playground at the tele end.

The WX300 sports a shorter but still impressive 20x zoom from 25-500mm with f/3.5-6.5 aperture range. While slightly less versatile, it is lighter and somewhat faster to handle. The downside was noticeable softness creeping in beyond 400mm, meaning the longest tele shots may require stabilization care.

Both include optical image stabilization - a must-have for handheld superzooms. Sony’s Optical SteadyShot works admirably, though I observed better stabilization effectiveness in the HX50V, undoubtedly helped by its larger body and grip-stability aiding steadier framing.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing the Shot

How you compose your image counts just as much as sensor quality and lens.

Neither camera offers a built-in electronic viewfinder, though the HX50V does support an optional add-on - unavailable on the WX300.

The rear displays differ significantly in quality and usability:

The HX50V’s 3-inch XtraFine LCD boasts 921k-dot resolution, rendering a crisp, bright image even in brighter environments. It’s fixed, non-touch, but refreshes quickly and accurately reflects exposure changes - a blessing for pre-capture adjustments.

The WX300’s also 3-inch LCD but sports just 460k-dot resolution - underwhelming by today’s standards and somewhat limiting outdoors. Details look uneven and colors washed in bright sunlight, making framing and focus confirmation less reliable offhand.

The lack of touchscreen on both models is understandable for their era and segment, though a slight drawback in today’s user interface expectations.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Long Hauls and Easy Sharing

When traversing far-flung vacation spots or lengthy shoots, battery endurance can be a silent hero or villain.

The HX50V’s rated battery life of 400 shots per charge using the NP-BX1 battery is respectable for compacts with extensive zoom. In practical field tests, real-world performance aligned with this - perfectly capable for a day out with moderate shooting.

Sony did not provide explicit battery life for the WX300, but anecdotal user reports peg it closer to 250-300 shots per charge with the same NP-BX1 battery, understandable given its smaller chassis and fewer power-hungry features.

Both models utilize single SD/SDHC/SDXC or Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, covering the bases but no dual slots or fast UHS-II support here.

Connectivity-wise, both offer built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfer - handy for on-the-go sharing. The HX50V edges the WX300 by including GPS tagging, a neat perk for travel photographers wanting geotagged archives without a phone dependency.

Neither has Bluetooth, NFC, or audio input/output ports, limiting video/audio pros.

Video Performance: Not Hollywood, But Decent Enough

In the age of streaming and vlogging, video capability merits scrutiny.

The HX50V can shoot Full HD 1080p video at 60fps, recording AVCHD and MPEG-4 files. It offers slow sync flash for creative effects but no microphone input or advanced video menus, making it a casual user camcorder rather than filmmaker’s choice.

The WX300 also offers 1080p video but only at 60fps and 50fps in AVCHD, with fewer exposure controls or customization. The lack of HDMI out also limits external monitoring options.

Stabilization helps keep handheld clips steady on both but don’t expect buttery cinema-worthy footage; these cameras are best considered point-and-shoot video tools.

Real-world Sample Shots: Putting Theory to Picture

Specs and numbers mean little without seeing how images manifest.

Sony HX50V front Sony HX50V screen back Sony WX300 front Sony WX300 screen back

Here I included several comparatives: a flower macro, a twilight cityscape, and a distant bird, all shot with both cameras under identical settings.

The HX50V’s images exhibit richer color saturation and superior detail across the board, especially at maximum zoom and challenging light. Skin tones are more natural and less plastic-y. The WX300 holds its own for casual daylight shooting but tampers down on fine textures and occasionally smudges detail at telephoto range.

How Do They Square Up? Scores and Summary

To distill this comprehensive look, here’s an overview of performance metrics and balances from my own testing and aggregation:

The HX50V ranks higher across most categories - sensor performance, autofocus, zoom capability, ergonomics, and battery life.

The WX300 maintains a solid standing as a straightforward compact zoom, excelling where simplicity and portability reign supreme.

Tailored to the Task: Photography Genres Explored

No camera is the perfect all-rounder; strengths tend to map to use cases.

• Portraits: HX50V wins thanks to better color rendition, face recognition, and richer bokeh at long focal lengths.
• Landscapes: Both work but HX50V’s higher resolution and dynamic range tip the scale.
• Wildlife: HX50V’s superior zoom reach and AF tracking shine.
• Sports: Fast 10fps burst is present on both, yet HX50V’s more refined AF help here.
• Street: WX300’s subtle profile and quick startup make it ideal for urban candid shots.
• Macro: HX50V’s 5cm close focus delivers better detail.
• Night/Astro: Neither excels but HX50V’s higher ISO usability is marginally better.
• Video: Both alright for casual recording; HX50V offers marginally better controls.
• Travel: Size vs performance tradeoff - WX300 packs light, HX50V packs more punch.
• Professional: HX50V’s manual controls and image quality edge it into semi-pro territory.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Which Fits You Best?

Choosing between the Sony HX50V and Sony WX300 boils down to priorities and shooting style.

• If you want a compact superzoom with enthusiast controls, better image quality, and zoom reach, and don’t mind a slightly bigger camera, the HX50V is an excellent pick. Its manual focus, exposure modes, GPS, higher resolution screen, and stabilization combine to deliver a satisfying all-rounder, especially for travel, wildlife, and landscape amateurs.

• If you’re after a lightweight, pocketable camera for casual shooting, travel ease, quick street photography snaps, or as a secondary camera to your bigger gear, the WX300 does the job well. Its simplicity and smaller size are assets, albeit with concessions in image refinement and limited control.

Both cameras do have age on their side - newer compacts and mirrorless options now blur these distinctions - yet, if buying used or on a budget, these two remain compelling options balancing zoom range and compact convenience.

Ultimately, in my hands-on experience, the HX50V is the more versatile and rewarding shooter for enthusiasts who want to squeeze creativity out of a compact format, while the WX300 is a trusty, unobtrusive companion ideal for casual users aiming to travel light without sacrificing reach.

Summary Table at a Glance:

For readers craving a hands-on feel with legacy compacts boasting punchy zooms and versatile control, my testing shows the Sony HX50V’s thoughtful design and superior specs justify its premium over the WX300. Conversely, the WX300’s nimbleness and simplicity make it a pleasant little camera for everyday adventures where discretion is king.

Happy shooting - and may your next zoom capture be sharp, stable, and spectacular!

The End