Sony RX10 vs Sony W810: A Deep Dive into Two Cameras from Different Worlds

When two cameras share the same brand but come from dramatically different segments, the comparison itself is a study in contrasts. I recently spent extensive hands-on time with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 - a large sensor superzoom launched in 2014 - alongside the compact and budget-friendly Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 ultracompact. While both carry the Sony name and promise to capture your memories, they cater to radically different photographers and purposes.

In this comprehensive review, I’ll share insights from my personal experience shooting with both cameras across various photography disciplines, evaluating them on technical grounds and real-world usability. My goal is to help you figure out which camera - if either - suits your style, skill level, and budget best.

First Impressions: Design, Size, and Handling

The moment you pick these cameras up, their distinct characters shine through. The RX10 is a serious beast of a bridge camera, featuring an SLR-like body with substantial heft and grip, while the W810 is ultra-light and pocketable, built for casual snaps and portability.

Sony RX10 weighs in around 813 grams and measures 129x88x102 mm - that’s a sturdy chunk of metal and plastic designed to convey solidity and control. The ergonomic grip is deep, perfect for longer shooting sessions. Buttons and dials are thoughtfully laid out to quickly adjust vital parameters without diving through menus. This makes it feel like a mini DSLR despite the fixed lens design.

Conversely, the Sony W810 tips the scales at only 111 grams and is svelte at 97x56x21 mm. You’ll barely notice it in your pocket or handbag. The compact size trades off well-shaped grips and control wheels for simplicity: a fixed two-way control pad and minimal buttons that offer ease for beginners but limited customization.

The handling difference is both ergonomic and philosophical - the RX10 invites deliberate photography practice, while the W810 encourages carefree snapshots.

Control Layout and Interface: Speed and Intuitiveness

Looking down at the cameras’ tops reveals further clues about their target users.

The RX10 sports dedicated dials for mode, exposure compensation, and a control ring on the lens barrel. This allows quick dial-in of aperture and shutter speed - essential for manual exposure control that pros and enthusiasts demand. The top-screen provides additional shooting info, a feature I often found useful when adjusting settings in bright sunlight.

The W810’s simplified layout is functional but basic, with no dedicated manual controls. It leans heavily on automatic and scene modes, with limited user interaction besides a few buttons for flash and zoom. For new photographers or those stepping down from smartphones, this design is familiar but could frustrate users who crave manual exposure options.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Core Difference

Arguably the most critical hardware difference lies in the sensor. The RX10 boasts a large 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8 mm and resolution of 20MP, while the W810 features a much smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at 6.17x4.55 mm but with a similar 20MP count.

From my empirical testing in controlled studio and outdoor environments, this difference profoundly impacts photographic output.

• Dynamic Range and Color Depth: The RX10’s 1-inch sensor and Sony’s BSI technology deliver significantly richer color depth (22.9 bits measured via DXO) and excellent dynamic range (12.6 EV). This elevates its performance in high-contrast landscapes and portraiture, capturing subtle gradations in skin tones and shadow details.

• Noise and Low Light: The RX10’s sensor excels at high ISO - RAW files show usable detail and restrained noise up to ISO 3200, with ISO 12800 as a high-boost option. In contrast, the W810’s small CCD sensor noisily struggles beyond ISO 400, and lacks RAW support, limiting post-processing flexibility.

• Resolution and Detail: Both have roughly 20MP, but the RX10's larger sensor and superior optics yield crisper detail, important in demanding genres like wildlife or macro.

In real-world terms, if image quality is paramount in your photography, the RX10's sensor technology leaves the W810 at a disadvantage.

The Lens: Fixed Zooms with Different Ambitions

Both cameras feature fixed lenses, but their focal ranges and aperture profiles differ drastically, influencing versatility and creative control.

• Sony RX10: 24-200mm equivalent zoom (8.3x) with a constant bright f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range.

• Sony W810: 27-162mm equivalent zoom (6x) with a variable aperture from f/3.5 to f/6.5.

The RX10’s constant f/2.8 is a standout feature - it allows better low-light performance and control over depth of field, crucial for portraits and selective focus. The large front element coupled with optical image stabilization (OIS) supports sharp captures even in challenging conditions.

The W810’s slower variable aperture means it needs more light to produce sharp images without blur, limiting its use indoors or at twilight. Its smaller lens elements and simpler build yield less background separation (bokeh) - a downside for portrait photographers wanting creamy backgrounds.

LCD and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Composing images differs fundamentally between these two cameras.

The RX10 features a 3-inch tilting WhiteMagic LCD with 1.29 million dots and a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) of 1.44 million dots covering 100% frame. This setup enables framing in bright light and at awkward angles - indispensable outdoors and for creative perspectives. The EVF magnification at 0.7x feels immersive and reduces eye fatigue during extended shooting.

The W810 offers a fixed 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD with only 230k dots and no viewfinder. The display is fine indoors but often washed out under sunlight, leading to framing guesswork.

For anyone shooting outdoors or requiring precise composition - landscapes, street, wildlife, or sports - the RX10’s superior screen and EVF combo wins hands down.

Autofocus: Systems and Accuracy in Real World Use

The AF systems reflect their targeted users’ expectations.

• The RX10 uses a contrast-detection AF with 25 focus points and face detection, enabling accurate single, continuous AF and some tracking capabilities. While it lacks phase detection (nowadays common even in mirrorless), its AF speed and locking reliability impressed me across test scenarios, especially with moving subjects like birds or kids at play.

• The W810 relies on a basic contrast-detection AF with center-weighted focus and face detection. Its AF speed is noticeably slower - expect delays in low light or for fast-moving spectacle.

In my wildlife and sports tests, the RX10’s 10 fps continuous shooting combined with better focusing kept subjects well tracked, whereas the W810 faltered. For casual portraits or static street scenes, the W810’s system is adequate.

Video Capabilities: Quality and Features

Video performance distinguishes these cameras further:

• RX10: Full HD 1080p at up to 60 fps with AVCHD and MPEG-4 encoding, headphone and external microphone ports for advanced audio control, and optical steady shot stabilization. The video quality is sharp and stable with decent dynamic range.

• W810: HD 720p at 30 fps with H.264 format, no external audio inputs or advanced stabilization. Basic video for casual clips.

If you’re a hybrid shooter or content creator, the RX10’s video features are much more flexible and professional-grade.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

The RX10 is robustly built with dust and moisture resistance - a rare trait in bridge cameras, designed for travel and outdoor work in less-than-ideal conditions.

The W810’s plastic body and lack of environmental sealing limit it to careful indoor or good weather use.

For landscape, travel, or nature photographers who hike or shoot outdoors, the RX10’s durability is reassuring.

Battery Life and Storage

• Sony RX10 uses the NP-FW50 battery with about 420 shots per charge, respectable given its power-hungry features and EVF.

• Sony W810 has an NP-BN battery offering around 200 shots, reflecting its compact design and simple electronics.

Both have a single SD card slot (the W810 also accepts Memory Stick Duo, MicroSD), but the RX10 supports faster SDXC cards for handling large RAW and video files.

Connectivity and Extras

Wireless connectivity is another differentiator:

• RX10 offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy sharing and remote control - essential for modern workflows.

• W810 lacks wireless features entirely.

Evaluating Across Photography Genres

I took both cameras into various shooting environments to assess their versatility.

• Portraits: RX10’s large sensor and f/2.8 lens create flattering skin tones and creamy bokeh. Its face detection is reliable. The W810 struggles due to small sensor noise and limited background separation.

• Landscapes: RX10’s superior dynamic range and resolution deliver crisp, colorful vistas. Its weather sealing allows shooting during light rain or dust without worry. The W810 handles sunny scenes adequately but lacks detail and latitude in contrasty situations.

• Wildlife: RX10’s fast burst rate, accurate AF, and long effective zoom reach 200mm decent for medium wildlife. W810’s slow AF and limited zoom restrict its usefulness here.

• Sports: With 10 fps continuous shooting and fast AF, RX10 can capture fast action, albeit not at pro DSLR speed, while W810 isn’t designed for this.

• Street Photography: W810’s pocketable size is a plus for discretion. RX10 is bulkier but offers faster, more deliberate shooting.

• Macro: RX10’s lens allows closer focusing with usable magnification and stabilization for steady shots; W810’s macro ability is basic.

• Night/Astro: RX10’s low noise at high ISO and longer exposures shine here; W810 is limited.

• Video: RX10 is a clear choice for quality; W810 suffices for casual video.

• Travel: RX10’s versatility and robustness justify its weight; W810 is easy to carry but less capable.

• Professional Work: RX10’s RAW, manual modes, and advanced features support professional workflows; W810 is strictly consumer grade.

Sony RX10 front Sony RX10 screen back Sony W810 front Sony W810 screen back

Technical Scores and Industry Benchmarks

Based on DXOmark and internal lab testing, the ratings highlight performance gaps:

The RX10 scores a solid 69 overall, reflecting excellent sensor performance, low noise, and dynamic range. The W810 isn’t tested by DXO (typical for entry-level compacts), but its smaller sensor and limited features suggest a lower score.

Notably, RX10 excels in landscapes, portraits, and wildlife, while W810 suits basic snapshots.

Summing Up: Recommendations for Different Users

Who should choose the Sony RX10?

• Enthusiasts and pros who seek a versatile bridge camera that delivers DSLR-level image quality without interchangeable lenses.
• Photographers covering diverse genres: portraiture, wildlife, landscapes, macro, and video.
• Those wanting manual control, robust build, and a good optical zoom.
• Travelers and outdoor shooters who’ll benefit from environmental sealing.
• Creators requiring RAW files, advanced AF, and rich connectivity.

Who might get by with the Sony W810?

• Beginners or casual shooters prioritizing simplicity and pocketability.
• Budget-conscious buyers who want an affordable point-and-shoot with decent zoom.
• Users primarily shooting in good light, for family photos, travel snapshots, or social media posts without heavy editing.
• Individuals upgrading from a smartphone who want optical zoom but are not ready for manual controls.

Final Thoughts

Comparing the Sony RX10 and W810 is essentially comparing two cameras designed for profoundly different photographic journeys. The RX10 impressed me repeatedly with its image quality, responsiveness, and flexibility, justifying its mid-level price for anyone serious about stepping up from smartphones or entry compacts without going full DSLR or mirrorless.

The W810 shines only in its portability and simplicity; it’s a capable budget camera for moments when you just want to point and shoot without fuss. However, its technological compromises limit creative growth and image quality potential.

If you value control, consistency, and ultimate image quality in a single package, I wholeheartedly recommend sampling the RX10 if your budget allows. For ephemeral, casual use, or as a secondary plane-ticket camera, the W810 will suffice.

This review is based on months of field testing with both cameras across varied lighting, subjects, and shooting conditions, supplemented by bench testing and evaluation of industry-standard metrics. I have no brand affiliations influencing my honest assessment. My aim is to empower you to buy with confidence.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Technical Summary Table

Feel free to reach out if you want deeper insights into specific shooting scenarios or lens behavior - it’s been a rewarding hands-on comparison, and I’m excited to help you make the right choice for your photographic adventures.