Sony RX100 VII vs Sony W800: Compact Cameras at Two Different Ends of the Spectrum

When it comes to compact cameras, Sony’s lineup spans a remarkable range - from the modestly priced point-and-shoot W800 to the powerhouse, enthusiast-grade RX100 VII. I’ve spent extensive hands-on time with both models, testing them in real-world scenarios across various photography styles. This detailed comparison will open the hood on their specs, image quality, usability, and overall value - so you can decide which camera truly deserves a spot in your bag.

First Glance: Design and Build – Pocketability vs. Premium Feel

Sony’s W800 is the quintessential budget compact, lightweight at just 125 grams, and sporting an ultra-slim profile (97 x 55 x 21 mm). It’s a straightforward little shooter aimed at casual snapshooters who want something better than a smartphone but without complexity.

In contrast, the RX100 VII tips the scales at 302 grams with a chunkier 102 x 58 x 43 mm body. But this difference isn’t just bulk for bulk’s sake - it packs features and controls for serious photographers cramped into a relatively pocketable form. Its magnesium alloy chassis feels rock-solid, which explains the weight bump, while the W800 is mostly budget plastic.

If you value something that disappears into most pockets and won’t weigh you down on hikes or city strolls, the W800 is your pal. But if you crave a satisfying, confident grip with clubs for your thumbs - plus better durability - then the RX100 VII’s heft is a must.

The control layout on the RX100 VII is another story. As someone who’s muzzled buttons on more finicky compacts than I care to count, I appreciate Sony’s thoughtful design here - dials, customizable buttons, and a pop-up electronic viewfinder that’s crystal clear. The W800’s controls are stark: a zoom lever, shutter button, power toggle, and a few menu buttons on the back. No touchscreen, no EVF, no dedicated mode dial. It’s the simplicity of a cinema popcorn machine.

Speaking of screens...

Screen and Interface: Touchscreen, Tilting vs. Fixed Budget Display

The RX100 VII sports a bright 3-inch tilting touchscreen with a 921k-dot resolution. This screen is essential for composing shots in tough angles - over crowds, or low to the ground (especially useful in landscape or macro work). Touch functionality also enhances focusing and menu navigation, speeding up workflow.

The W800’s 2.7-inch fixed screen delivers a mere 230k dots and has no touchscreen capabilities whatsoever. It’s noticeably dimmer outdoors and has a lower refresh rate. If you often find yourself shooting in bright sun or complex lighting, this can hinder framing and reviewing images. That said, the W800 is intended for no-frills usage where quick snaps are the priority.

If you want the best viewing and intuitive controls, the RX100 VII is in a different league.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let me be blunt: This is where the cameras’ DNA diverge most profoundly.

The RX100 VII uses a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, delivering 20 megapixels of resolution with a backside-illuminated design that enhances light gathering. This sensor size and technology yield significantly better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance - important for professionals or enthusiasts wanting print-worthy photos or confident cropping.

On the other hand, the W800’s 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) also cranks out 20 MP, but smaller pixels combined with older sensor tech mean noisier images, less detail, and a narrower dynamic range. It maxes out at ISO 3200 - which sounds reasonable until you see the grainy, smudgy results at anything beyond ISO 400.

Dynamic range comparisons under our studio tests reveal the RX100 VII pulls roughly 12.4 stops compared to the W800’s 7-8 stops range (extrapolated from similar sensor types). That difference is palpable for landscape photographers or anyone shooting high-contrast scenes.

In real terms: You can salvage highlights and shadows in RX100 VII RAW files far better than the W800 can manage, which lacks RAW support entirely - converting you to JPG slaves.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching the Moment in Focus

If your photography includes moving subjects - be it kids, wildlife, or sports - the autofocus system and shooting speeds are huge differentiators.

The RX100 VII boasts a hybrid autofocus system with 357 phase-detection points alongside contrast detection. Eye and animal eye autofocus further enhance portrait and wildlife photography, locking precisely and quickly onto subjects. The camera also shoots at an eye-watering continuous burst of 20 frames per second, perfect for capturing fleeting moments.

The W800 has a simple contrast-detection AF system with center-weighted focusing, no face/eye detection, and no continuous AF tracking - reflecting its point-and-shoot, budget origins. Continuous shooting is a slow 1 frame per second. These specs indicate it's uninspiring for action or wildlife but adequate for casual snapshots or posed portraiture with still subjects.

In practice, I found the RX100 VII’s AF reliable under challenging light and fast-moving scenarios like a dog chasing a ball. The W800 struggled even in moderate conditions with low contrast or in low light.

Lens Quality and Versatility: Zoom Range Matters

The RX100 VII’s 24-200 mm equivalent zoom lens (F2.8–4.5) covers a versatile focal range - from wide-angle landscapes to telephoto portraits and snapshots. The lens has excellent sharpness across the frame and benefits from optical image stabilization, providing steady handheld performance even at long zooms.

By contrast, the W800’s lens zooms from 26 to 130 mm equivalent (F3.2–6.4), with notably slower aperture and narrower reach. It also features optical image stabilization but the lens quality is unremarkable, with softness especially noticeable at telephoto and corners.

For photographers who want a single walk-around lens that’s sharp and flexible, the RX100 VII’s optics offer a much wider creative envelope.

Battery Life and Storage: Real-World Shooting Constraints

Sony quotes around 260 shots per charge for RX100 VII, which aligns with my field experience using the LCD and EVF. It’s average for large sensor compacts and can be extended by carrying spares or powering via USB.

The W800’s specs don’t clearly state battery life, but typical usage ranges between 200-300 shots per charge. Given its simpler tech and lower resolution screen, it can last longer in casual shoot-and-go situations.

Both cameras rely on SD card storage (plus Sony’s Memory Stick format), but only the RX100 VII supports SDXC cards to accommodate large RAW and 4K video files.

Connectivity and Workflow: Modern Essentials vs. Basic

The RX100 VII shines with WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, HDMI output, and a microphone input for video - all required for today’s mobile content creators and professionals who want quick sharing and seamless editing workflows.

The W800 lacks any wireless connectivity or video audio input/output ports, limiting it to basic USB transfers and local storage. If you want to quickly upload images to social media or control your camera remotely, the RX100 VII is the obvious choice.

Video Capability: 4K and Beyond vs. Basic HD

Sony’s RX100 VII is a miniature film studio, offering 4K UHD video recording at 30p, professional codecs (XAVC S), and microphone input for audio control. It includes in-body lens stabilization that’s critical for smooth handheld footage.

Meanwhile, the W800 is a basic video camera at best, maxing out at 720p HD at 30 fps (AVI MPEG4). Stabilization is limited, audio quality is average, and no manual controls exist.

If video forms a significant part of your creative output, the RX100 VII is worth its modest premium alone.

Breaking It Down by Photography Genre: What Suits Your Style?

Portrait Photography
The RX100 VII’s large sensor, sharp lens, and advanced eye autofocus create flattering skin tones and beautiful bokeh, enabling professional-looking portraits. The W800’s small sensor and limited aperture mean flatter images with limited background separation - it’s better for casual selfies among friends.

Landscape Photography
High resolution, 12+ stops of dynamic range, and weather-sealed build (well, the RX series resists everyday wear but no hardcore weather sealing) push the RX100 VII ahead. The W800’s limited DR and lower resolution result in flat, less detailed scenes.

Wildlife Photography
Fast AF with animal eye detection and 20 fps burst truly excel on the RX100 VII - critical for elusive critters. The W800 simply cannot keep pace.

Sports Photography
Similar story: RX100 VII’s responsiveness and buffer capacity crush the W800’s one frame per second continuous.

Street Photography
While the RX100 VII packs more features, some may find the W800’s ultra-lightweight, no-distraction design advantageous for candid street shots. The RX’s electronic viewfinder, however, allows composition with less distraction, along with superior low light handling.

Macro Photography
The RX100 VII’s close focus distance of 8 cm beats the W800’s unknown - but likely inferior - macro focus. Plus, the significantly sharper sensor aids detail capture.

Night and Astrophotography
The RX100 VII’s low-light ISO performance and RAW support put it in your corner for starscapes and night shots. The W800’s sensor noise and inability to shoot RAW hold it back.

Video Work
4K support, stabilization, and audio inputs make the RX100 VII a no-brainer for video. The W800 is limited to basic HD clips suited for family videos.

Travel Photography
Compact size and good battery life make either option viable, but the RX100 VII’s superior image quality and zoom range deliver better memories with flexibility.

Professional Work
Only the RX100 VII fits the professional mold thanks to RAW file support, reliable controls, and extensive workflow integration.

Real World Sample Gallery: Side-By-Side Image Quality

Sony RX100 VII front Sony RX100 VII screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back

In these practical tests, images from the RX100 VII show richer, true-to-life colors, sharpness that holds at 100% zoom, and impressively clean shadows and highlights. The W800’s images are softer with less punch and more noise, especially in challenging light.

Performance Scores: Hard Data Confirms Observations

DXOMark scores echo what I found in the field: The RX100 VII scores a solid 63 overall, with standout color depth (21.8 bits), dynamic range (12.4 EV), and low-light ability (ISO 418). The W800 was not tested, but similar sensor models rated well below 40.

Pros and Cons Summary

Sony RX100 VII

Pros:

• Superior 1” BSI-CMOS sensor for excellent image quality
• 24–200 mm f/2.8–4.5 versatile zoom lens
• Fast, hybrid AF with eye/animal detection
• 20 fps burst shooting
• 4K video recording with mic port
• Tilting touchscreen and pop-up EVF
• WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC connectivity
• RAW file support
• Solid build quality

Cons:

• Pricey compared to typical point-and-shoots (~$1300)
• No weather sealing (caution in tough environments)
• Battery life not exceptional (carry spares)

Sony W800

Pros:

• Very lightweight and slim
• Easy to use for beginners
• Affordable (<$100)
• Optical image stabilization
• Basic video capture

Cons:

• Small 1/2.3” CCD sensor limits image quality
• No RAW support; only JPG
• Slow continuous shooting, basic AF
• No touchscreen or EVF
• Limited zoom and slow aperture
• No wireless connectivity
• Poor low-light performance

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

If your budget is tight and your photography goals are casual family snapshots or travel memories you’ll mostly share online in small sizes, the Sony W800 delivers straightforward, pocket-friendly convenience at a fraction of the cost. It’s a great first step up from just using your phone.

However, if you are serious about photography - whether you’re a content creator, enthusiast, or even a professional desiring a high-quality compact option - the Sony RX100 VII is close to unmatched in its class. It offers an entire imaging toolkit in a little package: gorgeous image quality, blazing autofocus, versatile zoom, and pro-level video features.

Final Verdict: The Price You Pay for Performance

Comparing these two cameras is like comparing a skateboard to a sports car. The RX100 VII is engineered for those who demand speed, control, and quality - delivered in an almost pocketable size. Conversely, the W800 suits the cheapskate or casual shooter who just wants a simple, reliable digital camera without fuss or bells.

So, save your pennies or splash out depending on what you aspire to photograph. Between these two, the RX100 VII is the clear winner for serious photographers. But the W800 is far from useless - consider it a humble, budget-friendly companion that won’t let you down on simple family outings.

Whichever you pick, understanding these cameras’ capabilities helps ensure you’re buying the right tool for your photography journey.

If you're ready to invest in quality and features that keep your creative potential wide open, the Sony RX100 VII will be a phenomenal companion. If you're after a no-nonsense, affordable camera for casual shoots, the Sony W800 still fills that niche well.

Happy shooting!