Sony TX200V vs Sony W800: An In-Depth Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When it comes to compact cameras, Sony has long been a reliable name, catering to a broad spectrum of users from casual shooters to more serious enthusiasts. Today, I’m diving deep into a detailed comparison between two notable members of Sony’s compact line: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V (hereafter TX200V) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 (W800). Though both fall under the umbrella of compact “point-and-shoot” cameras, these models target very different users.

Through extensive hands-on testing, I’ll unpack how each camera performs across various photography disciplines - from portraits and landscapes to video work - revealing technical details and real-world experience you won’t easily find elsewhere. This comparison will also help you match each camera’s capabilities to your specific needs and budget.

Let’s start by positioning them physically and ergonomically so you get a feel for their form factors.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Pocketability vs. Simplicity

Sony’s design philosophy for these cameras reflects their intended users. The TX200V is an ultracompact, stylish pocket camera boasting a sleek and slim profile, while the W800 is a more traditional, small compact camera with a bulkier body but still aiming for portability.

The TX200V measures a svelte 96 x 58 x 16 mm and weighs 129 grams, which feels more like a high-end ultra-thin smartphone than a camera. Thanks to its robust metal chassis (which includes weather sealing), it feels solid and reassuring, yet maintains feather-light portability. The inclusion of an ultra-responsive touchscreen (3.3-inch, XtraFine OLED) enhances user experience but also gives little room for physical dials or buttons.

The W800, slightly larger at 97 x 55 x 21 mm and 125 grams, opts for a plastic body that’s decent but lacks any weather sealing, which means a bit more caution is necessary in adverse conditions. Its 2.7-inch TFT LCD isn’t touchscreen - a limitation if you prefer tap-to-focus.

Overall, if you’re after an ingenious mix of elegance and compactness for everyday carry, the TX200V wins. On the other hand, the W800 embodies simplicity and straightforward usability but feels bulkier relative to its class.

Control Layout and User Interface: Touchscreen Excellence vs Familiar Simplicity

Handling and intuitive controls are crucial, especially with compacts where ergonomics often take a back seat.

With the TX200V, Sony put emphasis on the touchscreen interface, offering a fresh approach: menus, focus points, and setting adjustments are primarily touchscreen-driven, which I found efficient and satisfying under bright daylight - thanks to the OLED screen’s excellent contrast and brightness. Physical buttons are minimal but logically positioned for quick access. However, if you prefer tactile controls for exposure compensation or aperture priority modes, you might find the TX200V limiting since it lacks these manual exposure modes.

The W800 offers a more traditional button layout, which suddenly feels familiar if you’re used to older compacts. This can be comforting but also feels somewhat dated compared to the responsive touchscreen on the TX200V. Additionally, the W800 doesn't provide manual control over exposure priorities or aperture, remaining firmly in fully automatic modes - meaning it’s purely a point-and-shoot machine.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: BSI-CMOS vs CCD

Let’s get into image quality, since that’s the heart of any camera choice. Both cameras feature the same sensor size - a 1/2.3-inch type - but differ fundamentally in sensor technology.

• Sony TX200V: 18MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor
• Sony W800: 20MP CCD sensor

Now, here’s where things get interesting. BSI-CMOS sensors like in the TX200V have a technological edge over CCDs, mainly because they capture more light by relocating wiring away from the light path. This typically translates to better low-light performance, dynamic range, and noise control. While the W800’s CCD sensor produces sharp images under bright conditions, it tends to struggle as ISO climbs or in challenging lighting.

In practical testing, the TX200V consistently produced cleaner images with richer tonal gradation - especially noticeable in shadow recovery and highlight retention during landscape shoots. The W800 images often showed early noise intrusion above ISO 400, limiting creative flexibility.

That said, the W800’s 20MP resolution on paper suggests slightly more detail potential, but real-world testing showed the TX200V’s advanced processor and sensor tech equalized or bettered resolution delivery due to less noise and better sharpening algorithms.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: OLED Brilliance vs Basic Display

Viewing your images and composing shots is made easier with a good screen.

The TX200V sports a 3.3” OLED screen boasting 1,230k dots, which sings with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility. This OLED technology outclasses the W800’s 2.7” TFT LCD that has a mere 230k dots resolution, resulting in less brightness and contrast - making outdoor composition and image review more challenging on sunny days.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, so reliance on the LCD is a must. For me, the TX200V’s display significantly improves shooting experience, especially in street and travel settings where quick framing under variable light is key.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed vs Simplicity

If you’re into fast-paced photography - wildlife, sports, or street - autofocus performance plays a pivotal role.

The TX200V uses contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points and includes face detection plus tracking features. While it’s not a professional hybrid autofocus system, it’s more advanced than the W800’s simpler contrast-detection system with undocumented focus points.

The W800 focuses slower and locks on subject less reliably, especially in low light. Its continuous shooting mode is maxed at 1 fps, which practically eliminates any chance of capturing action sequences. Conversely, the TX200V offers a 10 fps burst mode, a rare feature for compacts of its era, making it surprisingly capable at capturing fleeting moments.

Photography Genres: How They Stack Up in Real-World Use

Now we come to the nitty-gritty - how do these cameras handle specific shooting scenarios?

Portraiture: Skin Tones, Bokeh & Eye Detection

The TX200V’s lens range (28-140mm equivalent) coupled with a maximum aperture of F3.5 to F4.8 allows some subject-background separation, aided by its face detection autofocus for sharp focusing on eyes and faces. The OLED display helps fine-tune composition and exposure. Skin tones are rendered naturally with good color accuracy.

The W800, limited by its slower lens aperture (F3.2–6.4), produces flatter bokeh and less subject isolation. Face detection is present but less sophisticated, resulting in inconsistent focus on eyes.

If portraits matter, especially for casual events or travel snapshots, the TX200V is definitely the better choice.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscapes test sensor dynamic range and resolution capabilities.

Thanks to the TX200V’s BSI sensor and superior image processing, highlight retention and shadow detail are notably better. The camera offers aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9 which lend compositional flexibility.

While the W800 boasts a slight edge in megapixels, it suffers from earlier noise and limited dynamic range, producing flatter images in challenging light.

Both cameras lack built-in ND filters or advanced bracketing modes, so HDR workflows are manual.

For landscape enthusiasts on a budget, the TX200V’s nicer image rendering is a clear winner.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rates

If you want to capture movement - birds mid-flight or tennis serves - autofocus speed, accuracy, and burst rates become decisive.

The TX200V, while not a professional sports camera by any stretch, gears towards faster autofocus and 10 fps continuous shooting. This allows more frames to catch the perfect moment.

The W800’s 1 fps burst makes action sequences a gamble - likely to miss critical split seconds.

Neither camera supports telephoto zoom beyond 140mm equivalent, so these are still limited for serious wildlife photographers seeking reach and speed, but the TX200V’s strengths shine brighter here.

Street Photography: Discretion, Portability, and Low Light

For street shooters, discretion is paramount.

The TX200V’s ultra-thin, sleek body and near-silent shutter make it ideal for candid shots. Its touchscreen and large bright screen provide quick framing. High ISO capabilities also assist in dim environments.

The W800, bulkier and with a more traditional shutter sound, is less subtle. Lower ISO performance hampers low-light street shooting - pushing you into flash modes that stand out.

Again, the TX200V stands out as the more modern, versatile street camera.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Stabilization

Macro lovers will appreciate close focusing ability and image stabilization.

The TX200V provides a macro focus range beginning at 3 cm, with optical image stabilization helping reduce blur in handheld close-ups. This allows sharper shots of flowers, insects, or textures.

The W800 lacks a defined macro focus distance specification and its lens aperture range makes close-ups less crisp. Optical stabilization is present, but with slower focusing speed, it can feel clunky.

For casual macro shooters looking for a compact solution, the TX200V offers more precise control.

Night and Astro: High ISO and Exposure Options

Night photography demands sensor noise control and long exposure flexibility.

The TX200V boasts a maximum ISO of 12800 (though image quality degrades significantly beyond ISO 800–1600), while the W800 caps at ISO 3200. In practical testing, the TX200V produces cleaner images at ISO 800 and usable files at ISO 1600, thanks to its BSI sensor.

However, neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility in astro or night work.

Exposure modes are limited - no manual exposure or bulb mode - which confines night sky shooters to creative use of aperture priority or full auto.

Still, the TX200V edges out in low light capabilities thanks to higher ISO range and better processing.

Video Capabilities: Full HD vs HD, Stabilization and Audio Considerations

Both cameras support video recording but differ greatly in specs and usability.

• TX200V: Records Full HD 1080p at 60 fps using MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats; includes optical image stabilization for smoother footage.
• W800: Caps at 720p HD at 30 fps in MPEG-4 format; stabilization helps, but video quality is visibly softer.

Neither cameras support external microphones or headphone jacks, so audio is fixed and prone to environmental noise.

If you value decent video from a compact camera, the TX200V provides more flexibility and quality.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

The TX200V’s slender profile, weather-sealed build, versatile zoom range, GPS tagging, and longer battery life (rated 220 shots per charge) make it a solid travel companion.

The W800, while lighter, lacks GPS, weather sealing, and offers no official battery life rating - I found it generally shorter-lasting under similar conditions.

Additionally, the TX200V’s USB charging and HDMI out offer more convenience during extended trips.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

For professionals seeking a compact backup or a lightweight street camera, both models fall short in some areas:

• Neither camera supports RAW file capture, limiting post-production control.
• No manual exposure modes restrict creative options.
• Limited connectivity options (no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) hinder seamless file transfers.
• The TX200V’s GPS is a plus for cataloging, but lack of tethering or professional-grade battery performance remains a downside.

Still, for casual professional use or social media work where portability trumps advanced controls, the TX200V is more sophisticated.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery

• TX200V: Supports Memory Stick Duo Pro Duo storage, USB 2.0, and HDMI output. No wireless connectivity.
• W800: Accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick cards. No HDMI or wireless options.

While USB and HDMI offer basic tethering/previews, the absence of Wi-Fi in both means post-shoot sharing requires card readers or cables.

Battery-wise, the TX200V uses NP-BN with rated 220 shots per charge, outperforming the W800 which is unspecified but tested lower.

Price-to-Performance: Budget Considerations

Price matters, and these cameras cater to very different budgets.

• Sony TX200V: Originally around $499 but now only available secondhand at varying prices due to age and status.
• Sony W800: Extremely affordable, retailing around $90 USD new, making it an entry-level option.

Given the big jump in features, sensor tech, and capabilities, the TX200V justifies its higher cost if you want better image quality and versatility. The W800 is a no-frills snapshot machine for absolute beginners or casual shooters on tight budgets.

Real-World Sample Images: Side-by-Side Comparisons

Observing sample images from both cameras clearly showcases the TX200V’s benefit in color reproduction and dynamic range, especially in mixed light scenes.

Sony TX200V front Sony TX200V screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back

Here, subtle skin tone gradation and sky detail are better preserved in TX200V files, while W800 images appear flatter and noisier when shadows deepen.

Overall Performance Ratings

Based on extensive lab and field tests along with user experience, here’s how the cameras rate on core attributes:

• TX200V outperforms in image quality, autofocus, burst speed, video quality, and build.
• W800 mainly scores average to below average outside affordability and megapixel count.

Genre-specific results provide more granularity:

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a compact camera that punches above its weight - with better sensor tech, touchscreen interface, faster autofocus, weather sealing, and Full HD video - the Sony TX200V is your match. It suits enthusiasts seeking a stylish, capable travel and street camera that fits easily in a pocket and delivers impressive image quality.

If affordability, simplicity, and plain point-and-shoot convenience top your list, the Sony W800 delivers respectable everyday snaps. It’s ideal for families, new photographers, or those wanting backup compact on an extreme budget, but expect compromises in image quality, speed, and flexibility.

My Personal Pick

For my personal use, I gravitate toward the TX200V whenever I need an ultracompact camera that punches well above typical pocket cams. The OLED screen alone makes composition enjoyable - combined with better dynamic range, autofocus speed, and vibrancy, it’s hard to pass up.

Use the W800 if you just want very simple snapshots without fuss, but don’t expect much creative freedom or top-quality images.

Thanks for reading through this deep comparison! I hope this analysis helps you pick the right compact Sony camera for your photography adventures. Don’t hesitate to ask if you want hands-on tips or real shooting advice for either model.

Happy shooting!