Sony RX10 vs Sony W800: A Tale of Two Cameras for Two Worlds

In the ever-evolving landscape of photography tools, sometimes comparing two cameras from the same brand reveals more about the choices we face as photographers than any specs list alone. Today, I’m diving into a head-to-head between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 - a large-sensor superzoom powerhouse launched in 2014 - and the humble yet approachable Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800, a pocket-friendly compact from the same year. These cameras could hardly be more different in ambition, price, and design philosophy. Yet, each holds appeal for distinct photographers - from ambitious enthusiasts craving flexibility to casual snappers seeking simplicity.

Having extensively tested both in various settings, from portrait studios to rugged outdoors, I’ll share what you'll really get behind the specs and marketing, and who should choose which. Let’s start by putting them side-by-side, physically and conceptually.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Ergonomics and Design

Physically, these two cameras are worlds apart. The RX10 sports a bulky, SLR-like bridge camera body with a hefty 813g weight and dimensions of 129x88x102 mm - quite a travel companion. On the other hand, the W800 slips effortlessly into your palm at just 125g and 97x55x21 mm. When handling, you truly notice the RX10’s serious, camera-in-hand feel versus the W800’s ultra-compact, casual grab-and-go charm.

This size difference isn’t just superficial. The RX10’s design boasts a deep grip, a textured body, and robust build quality, making it comfortable for extended handheld shooting, even with that long zoom lens attached. The W800, however, caters to those prioritizing pocketability over tactile ergonomics - no pronounced grip, smaller buttons, and a slim profile that types best for snapshots and casual travel.

Beyond size, the two diverge in controls as well. The RX10 features dedicated dials and buttons for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation - all the stuff enthusiasts swear by for creative control. The W800 trims away most manual controls in favor of a simple interface suited for point-and-shoot convenience.

To get a clearer analysis of their top controls layout and how their user interfaces cater to these differences, take a peek:

As you can see, the RX10’s command dials and physical switches speak to its serious shooter DNA, whereas the W800 keeps things minimal and straightforward. I’m always wary when cameras strip manual controls because it limits creative exploration. That said, for new users or those disinterested in tweaking settings, the W800’s ease of use is a solid selling point.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Arguably the heart of a camera’s performance lies in its sensor, and here the gulf between the RX10 and W800 is enormous.

The RX10 is equipped with a 1-inch, back-illuminated CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, boasting an effective resolution of 20 megapixels. This sensor size and design are quite large for a “bridge” camera and give it a massive advantage in light gathering, dynamic range, and noise performance.

In stark contrast, the W800 uses a much smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), also at 20 megapixels, but the minuscule sensor area (about 28.07 mm² versus RX10’s 116.16 mm²) limits image quality in many scenarios, especially low light.

From my hands-on testing, the RX10’s larger sensor yields noticeably better color depth (22.9 bits color depth as measured by DxOMark), greater dynamic range (12.6 EV), and cleaner low-light images (usable to ISO ~12800 with reasonable noise control). The W800, however, struggles in anything less than bright daylight - its CCD sensor is a decade-old design less capable in high ISO, and noise levels spike from ISO 400 onwards.

This technological gap translates directly into practical use: portraits with natural skin tones, landscapes rich in detail, night scenes with less grain - all areas where the RX10 excels.

LCD and Viewfinder: Eyes on Your Subject

A camera’s rear screen and viewfinder significantly affect how we compose and review shots. The RX10 offers a tilting 3-inch WhiteMagic screen with 1,290k dots and a high-resolution (1440k dots) electronic viewfinder (EVF), providing excellent brightness and clarity even in sunlight. This setup lets you shoot from awkward angles and check focus critically in the field.

The W800 settles for a fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD screen at a mere 230k dots and - critically - has no viewfinder at all. Composing relies entirely on the rear screen, which can be frustrating in bright conditions.

While the RX10’s versatile screen and EVF combo make it a joy for deliberate shooting, the W800’s simpler setup caters to casual shooting with minimal fuss. However, in bright outdoor scenes or quick action moments, I found the W800’s screen visibility sometimes subpar.

Zoom Lenses and Optics: How Far Can You Go?

The RX10’s fixed lens is a remarkable 24-200 mm equivalent zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture. This superzoom lens is literally a game-changer in bridge cameras - allowing tight portraits, wide landscapes, and distant wildlife shots without changing lenses. Constant aperture means consistent exposure and shallow depth-of-field control across the zoom range, critical for artistic bokeh.

The W800 sports a modest 26-130 mm equivalent zoom with a variable aperture between f/3.2 and f/6.4 - functional but uninspiring. The narrower zoom range and slower aperture limit creativity and low-light performance, especially when zoomed in.

From my observations, the RX10's lens exhibits superior sharpness, minimal chromatic aberrations, and excellent distortion control. That superzoom versatility, paired with the fast f/2.8, lets you indulge in subjects from studio portraits to migratory birds without swapping gear. The W800 is more of a “set it and forget it” shooter lens, fine for general snapshots but far less flexible.

Autofocus Capabilities: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Here’s where the RX10 really flexes: its autofocus system employs 25 contrast-detection AF points with face detection and continuous autofocus modes, alongside selective area focus to lock onto subjects with precision and speed.

The W800, far more basic, offers a single autofocus mode with contrast detection, limited tracking, and no continuous AF during burst shooting (which it doesn’t even really do, limited to 1 fps).

Over several trials, including high-action wildlife and sports scenes, the RX10 consistently nailed focus on tricky subjects - eye detection worked well on humans, and I appreciated the manual focus override for critical macro shots. The W800, by contrast, often hunted for focus in low light or on moving subjects, making it unsuitable for anything beyond casual photography.

Burst Rates and Shutter Speeds: Catching the Decisive Moment

If you want to photograph motions - sporting events, wildlife flights, or street scenes - the shutter speed range and continuous shooting capability matter.

The RX10 offers an impressive max shutter speed of 1/3200s, with burst shooting up to 10 frames per second - fast enough to capture rapid sequences cleanly. It also provides shutter priority, aperture priority, and fully manual modes - essential for creative exposure.

The W800 tops out at 1/1500s shutter speed and offers just 1 fps burst, roughly equivalent to a point-and-shoot - a far cry from serious efforts.

In my experience covering sports and wildlife, the RX10’s responsiveness was a breath of fresh air, keeping pace with fast action and giving me control over nuanced exposure settings. The W800 is barely adequate for static moments.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for the Elements?

The RX10 features environmental sealing - dust and moisture resistant - giving you confidence to shoot in challenging weather, rain, or dusty trails without worry.

The W800 offers no such weatherproofing; it’s a basic compact, best kept dry and clean.

This difference is a point where the RX10 caters to outdoor enthusiasts and professionals; the W800 is strictly an indoor or fair-weather companion.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The RX10 is powered by the NP-FW50 battery pack, delivering approximately 420 shots per charge, which is decent - but you’ll want a spare for long days.

W800 uses the smaller NP-BN battery, but Sony doesn’t publish an official battery life metric. Anecdotally, it lasts less than the RX10 and tends to drain quicker with frequent use of the LCD.

Both cameras rely on a single slot for SD card storage (including SDHC and SDXC support).

Connectivity and Features: Wireless and Extras

Here, the RX10 pulls ahead with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, allowing quick image transfers to smartphones or tablets and remote control capabilities via Sony’s apps.

The W800 lacks wireless options entirely, which is unsurprising given its entry-level segment.

Both cameras include a micro HDMI port and USB 2.0 for video output and data transfer, but only the RX10 supports external microphones and headphones - important if you care about serious video production.

Video Recording: What Video Shooters Need to Know

Video on the RX10 is impressive for its class, with Full HD 1920x1080 recording at 60p, 60i, and 24p frame rates, and decent in-body optical image stabilization making handheld footage smoother.

The W800 caps video recording at 1280x720 at 30fps - fine for casual clips but not for professional or even enthusiast-quality video.

In practical terms, the RX10 lets you create cinematic sequences and even offers manual exposure control during shooting. The W800 records simple videos with little option for control.

Real-World Photography Tests: Show Me the Pictures!

Looking at real samples side-by-side is telling. The RX10 produces crisp, detailed images with beautiful color fidelity and an engaging depth of field that highlights subjects. The W800’s pictures are serviceable but softer, with weaker shadow detail and more noise, especially indoors or in shaded outdoors.

Sony RX10 front Sony RX10 screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back

Genre by Genre: Who Wins Where?

Photography isn’t one-size-fits-all, so I ran these cameras through a variety of disciplines:

For a visual representation of this analysis, check this genre-specific scoring summary:

Overall Ratings: Numbers Don’t Lie

By compiling scores based on DxOMark data, specs, and hands-on performance, the RX10 scores a commendable 69 points, while the W800 remains untested on professional benchmarks but clearly falls below.

Who Should Buy Which?

At nearly $700 new (and often less used), the RX10 is a serious investment for photographers seeking an all-in-one solution with DSLR-like quality but without changing lenses. It suits enthusiasts and professionals needing flexibility in a rugged, weather-resistant package - a travel camera, backup gear, or bridge camera for wildlife and portraiture alike.

The W800, priced under $100, is for absolute beginners, casual shooters, or those on a super-tight budget who want an easy way to capture everyday moments without fuss or complexity. Don’t expect stellar image quality or creative control, but it’s pocket-sized fun for holiday snaps or kids’ parties.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Stories

In wrapping up, the Sony RX10 and Sony W800 embody two different philosophies: the RX10 as a refined superzoom enthusiast's dream and the W800 as a basic, no-frills point-and-shoot. I don’t think they directly compete, but contrasting them highlights the dramatic leaps in image quality and capability that sensor size and lens quality bring.

Would I grab the W800 for my own work? Not really - its limitations quickly frustrate my creative needs. The RX10, despite its age, remains a capable companion with exceptional versatility.

If this article has helped you figure out if you want a powerhouse or a casual snapshot camera, then it’s done its job. Happy shooting!

If you’re curious about exploring similar cameras or want advice on lenses for mirrorless systems, let me know - I’ve tested thousands of setups over the years and love helping fellow photographers find their perfect match!