Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 vs. DSC-W710: A Thorough Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right compact camera in today’s market might seem like comparing apples and oranges, especially when devices from the same manufacturer appear deceptively similar at first glance. I’ve had the chance to extensively test both the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 (released in 2011) and its younger sibling, the DSC-W710 (released in 2013), across a variety of photographic disciplines. This hands-on experience, combined with a deep dive into their technical specs, usability, and real-world practicality, lets me offer you a clear, evidence-backed comparison to help guide your next purchase - whether you’re an enthusiast looking for a trusty travel companion or a working pro needing a pocket-friendly backup.

Let’s begin by sizing up these two rivals.

Physical Feel and Design: The Compact Bodies that Go Anywhere

When I first held these cameras side-by-side, I was struck by how close they are in size yet subtly different in handling comfort. Take a look:

The W510, being classified as an ultracompact, measures 96x54x20 mm and weighs 119 grams, whereas the W710, a small sensor compact, is just slightly larger at 97x55x20 mm but marginally lighter at 114 grams. This puts both cameras firmly in the pocketable league - the difference is negligible but worth noting if you prioritize minimal bulk.

If you peer at the top view, you’ll find their control layouts show a thoughtful evolution:

The W510’s controls are decidedly basic, with a minimal button count reflecting its entry-level ultracompact nature. The W710, by contrast, adds a touchscreen interface - a welcome usability improvement - though its physical buttons remain intuitive and well-placed. For photographers craving ease of quick control, the newer model excels here, especially with touchscreen-enabled autofocus and menu navigation.

Ergonomically, I prefer the W710 for longer shooting sessions due to its slightly more substantial grip shape. The W510 tends to feel toy-like in hand, which might be fine for casual point-and-shoots but less so for prolonged use.

Sensor and Image Quality: Where Details Matter Most

Both cameras use a 1/2.3” CCD sensor - no surprise for models targeting low-cost compact segments. However, here’s the catch: the W510 sports a 12-megapixel resolution while the W710 bumps this to 16 megapixels. On paper, more pixels might indicate higher resolution but also increased noise, especially in small sensors. Let’s unpack that.

My lab testing under standardized lighting reveals that the W710 delivers sharper images at base ISO (100) due to its higher pixel count, producing photos with greater detail and better suitability for moderate prints (up to 8x10 inches). However, its maximum native ISO (3200) comes with noticeably more noise compared to the W510, whose lower resolution but similar sensor dimensions appear to handle high ISO slightly better in practice.

Neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - a downside for professionals or advanced enthusiasts who want full creative control. Both rely on JPEG compression, where noise reduction algorithms can smooth details and sometimes cause subtle artifacts.

The W510’s BIONZ processor dates from an earlier generation, which is another reason its noise handling is superior but image processing slower. The W710 lacks a designated processor name, but feels snappier overall.

For landscape or travel photographers who rely heavily on image quality, the W710’s resolution advantage is a plus, but you’ll want to keep ISO sensitivities low for optimum results. For casual shooting or scenarios with available light, both cameras can punch above their weight considering sensor constraints.

Screen and User Interface: Your Window to Creativity

When framing shots or reviewing photos, the rear screen quality makes all the difference. Here’s how these two fare:

Both cameras feature a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution, which means images can look a bit grainy and low-res compared to modern displays. However, the W710’s TFT touchscreen takes usability to the next level - allowing quick focus point selection, menu navigation, and touch-shutter release if desired.

The W510’s 'Clear Photo LCD' panel offers good viewing angles but no touch input. I found this limiting when trying to manually position autofocus or adjust settings quickly in the field.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder (EVF), so shooting outdoors in bright sunlight requires shading the screen or eyeballing compositions without a bright preview - a limitation for serious outdoor use.

On the interface side, the W710 provides custom white balance adjustment, a feature missing from the W510. This is helpful for color-critical work, such as portrait sessions or indoor lighting situations where automatic white balance struggles.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Catching the Decisive Moment

In real-world use, autofocus performance is crucial. Here’s where small sensor compacts often lag behind mirrorless or DSLR systems.

The W510 uses contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points but lacks face or tracking detection altogether. Its AF speed is leisurely, suitable only for static subjects. Continuous shooting maxes out at a mere 1 frame per second - decidedly slow for action photography.

By contrast, the W710 boasts improved contrast-detection AF with face detection and tracking capabilities, utilizing an unknown but evidently more capable number of focus points. It also adds touch autofocus via its screen, a major usability win.

Burst shooting remains limited to 1 fps. This low frame rate, combined with sluggish AF, means neither camera is ideal for wildlife or sports photography where rapid focus changes and high-speed tracking are essential.

For portrait work, the W710’s facial detection AF yields more reliable focus on eyes and faces, delivering consistently sharp results despite the small sensor. The W510, lacking these features, requires painstaking manual composition and luck.

Neither model supports manual focus, shutter priority, aperture priority, or exposure compensation - features professionals and enthusiasts cherish. This emphasizes their entry-level positioning but also means creative control is limited.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

You might be wondering: Can either camera really serve different genres effectively? Let me walk you through their real-world strengths and weaknesses.

Portrait Photography

Portrait shooters prioritize skin tone reproduction, background blur (bokeh), and sharp eye focus.

• Sony W510: With an f/2.8 max aperture at wide-angle, it offers modest background separation but struggles with background blur due to small sensor and fixed lens. No face detection means focus errors are more common.

• Sony W710: Slightly narrower apertures (f/3.2 max) but improved autofocus with face detection helps nail focus consistently. Skin tones render naturally, though limited dynamic range can affect highlight detail on bright skin.

Neither camera’s 5.8x zoom range reaches significant focal lengths for tight headshots with pleasing bokeh, but for casual portraits and selfies (without selfie-friendly features), the W710 is a little more reliable.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution top the landscape wish list, along with ruggedness.

• Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged build. The W710’s incremental build refinement offers slightly better grip, but these aren’t adventure-ready rigs.

• The W710’s 16MP sensor helps capture more detail, beneficial for landscapes intending print or cropping. The W510’s 12MP sensor produces flatter, less detailed images.

• LCD displays and lack of electronic viewfinders make histogram and manual exposure adjustments tricky, complicating landscape shooting in challenging light.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These often require fast autofocus, long zoom, and high frame rates.

• Neither camera excels here. The largest zoom of the W710 (28-140mm, approx 5x) is better than the W510’s 26-104mm (4x), but both lack telephoto reach for serious wildlife.

• Slow burst rate (1 fps) and sluggish AF make capturing action shots difficult.

• No optical viewfinders or tracking features impose limits in the field.

Street Photography

Discretion, portability, and responsiveness essential.

• Both cameras are pocketable but lack the responsiveness or manual controls street shooters enjoy.

• The W710’s touchscreen and face detection assist with quick focus on subjects, a plus in fleeting street scenes.

• Limited low light ISO and slow shutter speeds (max 1/1600s or 1/2000s) restrict performance in dim environments.

Macro Photography

Macro fans appreciate close focusing and precise stabilization.

• W510 boasts a macro focusing distance of 4cm, better than the W710’s 10cm, allowing closer subject capture.

• Both have sensor-shift or optical stabilization, helpful for steady shots.

• No manual focus limits exact control on focal planes.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO and long exposure capabilities are key here.

• Both cameras offer max shutter speeds of 1/1600s (W510) and 1/2000s (W710) - fast shutter speeds but no explicit long exposures.

• Max ISO of 3200 but limited CCD sensor performance and noise issues hinder clean night photos.

• No RAW shooting, long exposure noise reduction, or bulb mode limits astro potential.

Video Capabilities

A growing consideration for many buyers.

• W510 shoots at 640x480 pixels (VGA) 30fps in Motion JPEG, very limited by modern standards.

• W710 improves to 1280x720p (HD) at 30fps in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, a marked advance.

• Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, so audio is fixed and of basic quality.

• Lack of in-body or hybrid AF during video confines creative options.

Durability, Battery Life, and Storage: Practical Everyday Factors

Neither camera is ruggedized - no waterproofing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. That is standard for ultracompacts.

The W710 offers a stated battery life of 240 shots per charge - a respectable figure for casual use. The W510’s battery life isn’t officially provided but, given similar battery types (NP-BN1 vs NP-BN), expect roughly similar stamina.

Both cameras accept SD, SDHC, SDXC cards, as well as Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick media, which adds storage flexibility.

Connectivity and Workflow

Neither model supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS - so no instant image sharing or geo-tagging. This is a shame in an age where social media integration is key for many users.

USB 2.0 allows for straightforward file transfer but is relatively slow compared to modern standards.

File handling is limited to JPEG images and standard video files, no RAW support.

Pricing and Value: Which One Makes More Sense?

The W710 typically sells slightly cheaper (approx. $90) than the W510 (approx. $99) on the used market, surprising given its newer features. This makes the W710 a better value choice for those wanting a marginally more capable compact with HD video, touchscreen, and better resolution.

Summing Up Their Strengths and Weaknesses

Sony W510 front Sony W510 screen back Sony W710 front Sony W710 screen back

This image gallery shows real photos taken by both cameras to visually highlight differences in sharpness, color reproduction, and noise. Notice how the W710’s images are crisper but noisier at high ISO.

Detailed Scores: Performance Ratings at a Glance

From my careful testing across standard image quality benchmarks, autofocus speed tests, and usability assessments, the W710 edges out the W510 overall due to its enhanced resolution, touchscreen interface, and improved AF system.

Specialization Scores for Different Photography Types

The W710 shines in portrait and landscape categories thanks to better focus and higher resolution, while the W510 holds a slight edge in macro due to closer focusing lens specs.

Both lag significantly in sports and wildlife use cases due to sluggish response and limited zoom.

Expert Verdict and Recommendations

With all this in mind, here’s my take based on personal testing experience:

• For casual users and beginners who want a simple, straightforward camera with decent image quality for family photos and everyday use, the Sony W710 offers the best balance. Its touchscreen, HD video, face detection, and better resolution make it easier and more rewarding to shoot with. It is more user-friendly and versatile.

• If you’re a macro enthusiast or need simpler, more straightforward operation, and can accept older video and lower resolution, the W510’s closer focus and slightly better low light noise handling may appeal.

• For travel photography, the lightweight design and good zoom range of the W710, plus stronger battery life and HD video, make it the smarter choice.

• Professional use is outside the scope of both cameras. They lack manual controls, RAW shooting, fast autofocus, and ruggedness demanded by serious work.

• The W710 is the clear upgrade path for those looking for a budget-friendly, easy-to-carry compact with decent image quality and usability.

Final Thoughts: Are Ultracompact Compacts Still Worth It?

In my experience, these two Sony Cyber-shot models remind us that early 2010s compacts, while showing modest progress, struggle to keep pace with smartphones and mirrorless competitors today. Their strengths lie in pocket portability and simple automatic shooting, but their small sensors limit image quality, particularly in challenging light.

If you want something truly capable, wider aperture lenses, RAW support, and faster AF are vital - none of which these cameras offer. However, if your budget is tight and general photography is your focus, the W710 is a surprise bargain with usable HD video and a decent sensor.

Both cameras reveal the incremental evolution within Sony’s compact line, and testing them side-by-side highlights how little change can impact usability and output in meaningful ways.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you decide which fits your needs best. If you want to explore further, I’ve linked my extended hands-on tests and image samples above. Happy shooting!