Sony W510 vs Sony WX500: A Hands-on Comparison from a Seasoned Camera Reviewer

Having tested thousands of cameras throughout my 15+ years as a photography equipment reviewer, I know the value of hands-on experience combined with deep technical knowledge. Today, I’m diving into an in-depth comparison between two Sony compact cameras that represent very different eras and user approaches: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 (released 2011) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 (released 2015). Though both are from Sony’s Cyber-shot line, their capabilities, design philosophies, and target audiences diverge significantly.

In this article, I’ll share firsthand observations and technical insights across all major photography disciplines. Whether you’re a casual shooter weighing portability against features, or a serious enthusiast looking for value in a compact superzoom, I’ll help you understand which camera might be right for your needs.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

When I first handled these two models side by side, the difference in physical presence was immediately apparent. The W510 is a classic ultracompact camera from the early 2010s, designed for ultimate pocketability and simplicity. The WX500, on the other hand, caters to the growing demand for highly versatile zoom capabilities packed into a compact body.

Sony W510 (left) versus WX500 (right) - Notice the WX500’s thicker build to accommodate the superzoom lens and bigger battery.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510

With dimensions of 96x54x20 mm and a featherweight 119 grams including battery and card, the W510 fits effortlessly in any pocket or small bag. The plastic, smooth body lacks weather sealing or ruggedness, but its minimal size excels at invisibility - great for spontaneous street or travel photography where discretion matters.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500

The WX500 measures 102x58x36 mm and weighs 236 grams, roughly double the W510’s heft, largely due to the substantial 30x zoom lens (24-720mm equivalence). The grip is molded for secure handling, though I found the WX500 still comfortable for extended one-handed use, thanks to its well-thought-out ergonomics and button placement.

While nowhere near professional weather sealing standards, the build quality of the WX500 feels more durable and refined, befitting its higher price and advanced features.

Control Layout and Usability: Intuitive or Clunky?

Sony cameras are known for their varied control philosophy. I appreciate cameras that balance ease-of-use with advanced control for enthusiasts, so I compared the W510 and WX500’s interface thoroughly.

Top control layouts - The WX500 offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes, absent on the W510.

W510 Controls

The W510 is minimalistic: fixed lens, no manual focus ring, no exposure modes beyond automatic, and a single control dial. It features no touchscreen, and the rear screen is a basic 2.7-inch fixed LCD with low resolution (230k dots). The lack of any dedicated buttons for ISO, white balance, or exposure compensation means users must rely on fully automatic or preset modes - fine for casual snapshots but limiting for ambitious photography.

WX500 Controls

By contrast, the WX500 provides a tilt-enabled 3-inch LCD with a crisp 921k-dot resolution - huge for composing in tricky angles. Although there’s no viewfinder, the rear screen’s better resolution aids in manual focusing and composition. Crucially, the WX500 offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes, as well as exposure compensation adjustment, white balance bracketing, and a more comprehensive button array.

For anyone wanting creative control or to experiment beyond point-and-shoot basics, the WX500’s ergonomics and user interface are markedly superior. The tilting screen especially is a practical boon for low or high angle shooting - something I used frequently during street and travel sessions.

The Sensor Story: Image Quality and Technical Specs

Both cameras share the same sensor size: a 1/2.3-inch format sensor with approximately 28.07 mm² surface area. However, they differ in sensor technology and resolution, which directly impacts image quality.

Sensor sizes are identical, but advancements in sensor design and resolution greatly influence output quality.

Sony W510 - CCD Sensor, 12MP

The W510 houses an older CCD sensor with 12 megapixels. CCDs are historically known for producing pleasant color rendition and low noise at base ISO but tend to struggle with higher ISOs and dynamic range compared to modern CMOS sensors. The processing pipeline (BIONZ processor) is solid but dated, and the camera supports no RAW format shooting, locking users into JPEG outputs.

From my tests, images from the W510 in good light are acceptable for casual use but reveal softness, limited dynamic range, and significant noise beyond ISO 400. Low light performance and highlight preservation are weak points.

Sony WX500 - BSI-CMOS Sensor, 18MP

The WX500 upgrades to a backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor at 18 megapixels, a clear technological advance. The BSI design enhances light gathering, improving low-light sensitivity and noise control. Paired with the BIONZ X image processor, the WX500 delivers sharper details, cleaner images at high ISO (up to 12800), and better overall tonal gradation than the W510.

Although the sensor size remains physically small (a limitation inherent to the category), the greater resolution and modern technology translate into crisp images suitable for large prints and cropping - rare for cameras in this price range.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Responsiveness in Action

Autofocus quality shapes your ability to capture decisive moments, especially in fast-paced or unpredictable environments like wildlife or street photography.

Sony W510 - Contrast Detection, 9 Focus Points

The W510 features a simple contrast-detection AF system with just 9 focus points and no face or eye detection. It offers only single autofocus and no continuous AF or tracking. The 1 fps burst shooting rate is extremely slow by today’s standards.

During real-world shooting, especially in dynamic environments or lower light, I found the W510’s AF sluggish and prone to hunting. Precision can be challenging, and you often miss fleeting moments or compromise composition.

Sony WX500 - Contrast Detection with Face Detection and AF Tracking

Though still relying on contrast detection, the WX500 implements enhanced autofocus algorithms, including face detection, eye detection, and tracking - features absent in the W510. It supports continuous autofocus at up to 10 fps, allowing for better capture of moving subjects.

In practical use, such as candid street scenes or moderate wildlife movement, the WX500’s AF felt reliably snappy and accurate. While not a professional-grade phase-detection AF, it punches well above its class and grandly outperforms the W510.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Versatility Versus Simplicity

One of the defining factors separating these cameras is their zoom range and aperture performance.

Sony W510 - 26-104mm Equivalent, f/2.8-5.9

The W510 offers a modest 4x zoom lens from wide 26mm to moderate telephoto 104mm equivalent focal length. While the f/2.8 aperture is fairly bright at wide angle, it narrows sharply to f/5.9 at telephoto. The lens is fixed; there is no option to change or add lenses.

Close-up shooting at 4cm macro works decently for casual macro subjects but lacks fine focusing precision. The built-in image stabilization uses sensor-shift technology, noticeably smooth in handheld use.

In my experience, the lens delivers sharpness mostly at the center and wide end but softens at telephoto and edges - typical of entry-level ultracompacts.

Sony WX500 - 24-720mm Equivalent, f/3.5-6.4

Here, the WX500 shines. Its 30x superzoom covers focal lengths from wide 24mm to a full 720mm telephoto, vastly expanding creative framing. This makes the WX500 an excellent one-camera solution for travel, wildlife, and sports photographers who don’t want to carry multiple lenses.

The maximum aperture is narrower (f/3.5 at wide, f/6.4 at full zoom), which affects low-light performance and depth of field control somewhat, but the excellent optical image stabilization compensates well for camera shake at long focal lengths.

Close-up macro focusing to 5cm combined with precise AF system lets you explore detailed subjects such as flowers and insects with surprisingly good sharpness.

Display and Viewfinding: Composing Your Shot

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, placing heavy reliance on the rear LCD for framing.

WX500’s tilting, higher-res screen (right) versus W510’s fixed low-resolution display (left).

W510 Display

A fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230k pixels feels outdated quickly - especially outdoors, where brightness and reflections hamper visibility. Without a touchscreen or articulating mechanism, composing at odd angles is impractical.

WX500 Display

The WX500’s 3-inch tilting screen with nearly 1 million dots makes a substantial difference. It offers better brightness, contrast, and color reproduction, facilitating accurate composition in bright outdoor conditions or tricky shooting positions (low or overhead). Despite lacking touchscreen, the physical buttons and dials compensate well for control speed and accuracy.

For video work or selfies (though no dedicated selfie mode), the tilting screen importantly adds flexibility.

Image Stabilization and Flash Performance

Good image stabilization is crucial in handheld shooting, especially with longer zoom lenses.

W510 Stabilization

The sensor-shift stabilization on the W510 effectively reduces blur from slight hand movements, especially at wide angles. However, it cannot compensate as effectively at telephoto lengths. The built-in flash has a modest range of 2.3m - adequate for small rooms or social snapshots but limited outdoors.

WX500 Stabilization

Optical image stabilization on the WX500 impresses, noticeably smoothing handheld shots at full 720mm telephoto - invaluable for wildlife or distant street subjects. Combined with higher ISO performance, this enables sharp photos in challenging conditions.

The flash range extends to 5.4m (using Auto ISO), providing better coverage for indoor scenarios and event photography. Multiple flash modes including slow, rear sync enhance creative lighting.

Video Functionality: From Casual Clips to Everyday Movies

Video recording capabilities have become critical even for stills-focused cameras.

W510 Video

The W510 offers VGA-resolution video at 30fps (640x480) in Motion JPEG format - not exactly state-of-the-art, even for 2011. Audio is mono with no external mic support. No HD, no image stabilization during video, and no advanced features like focus tracking during recording. It’s fine for casual family clips but quickly feels restrictive.

WX500 Video

The WX500 supports Full HD 1080p video at 60p, 60i, 30p, and 24p frame rates in AVCHD and XAVC S formats, all signifying better compression and image quality. Although microphone/headphone jacks are absent, the camera includes basic stereo recording and stabilization during video shooting.

For vloggers or casual filmmakers, the WX500 provides ample creative control and flexibility above the W510’s very basic video.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

Battery endurance and storage compatibility affect real-world usability during extended outings.

W510 Battery

Using an NP-BN1 battery, the W510 lacks published CIPA battery life ratings. In my experience, expect around 200-250 shots per charge - not stellar but reasonable for a compact. Storage accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Duo cards in a single card slot.

WX500 Battery

The WX500’s larger NP-BX1 battery delivers a significant advantage, rated for approximately 360 shots per charge. This matters for travel and longer shoots without frequent charging. It also uses SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Duo cards.

Both cameras have USB 2.0 connectivity - no USB-C or wireless transfer on the W510, but the WX500 offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for image sharing and remote control through smartphone apps, a major convenience factor.

Comparing Sample Images: Real-World Output

I put both cameras to the test across multiple genres - portrait, landscape, wildlife, and everyday situations. Click to view a gallery of sample images from each camera side by side.

From richly detailed landscapes to close-up portraits, observe the WX500’s superior sharpness, color, and noise control versus the W510.

In daylight landscape scenes, the WX500 reveals richer tonal gradation and exceptional detail resolution. The W510’s images appear softer with narrower dynamic range. Portrait shoots show the WX500’s superior color accuracy and smoother bokeh, thanks to the longer focal length reach and better sensor.

In low light, the W510 suffers from noise and rapid detail loss beyond ISO 400, whereas the WX500 maintains usable ISO 1600+ with cleaner shadows. For casual wildlife or sporting subjects, continuous autofocus and burst rate on the WX500 let me capture motion successfully - something impossible with the W510’s single AF and 1 fps rate.

Overall Scores and Performance Ratings

Based on rigorous standardized testing plus real-world field use, here is a synthesized performance comparison.

WX500 (green) outpaces the W510 (blue) decisively across most performance criteria.

Criterion	Sony W510	Sony WX500
Image Quality	Basic	Very Good
Autofocus Speed/Accuracy	Slow, single AF	Fast, multi AF
Build & Handling	Compact, light	Compact, robust
Zoom Range	4x, limited	30x, extensive
Video Capabilities	VGA only	Full HD 60p
Battery Life	Short	Moderate
Connectivity	None	Wi-Fi, NFC
Overall Value	Great budget buy	Excellent mid-range

Performance Breakdown by Photography Genre

Let’s look closer at how these cameras perform in specific fields of photography to help you pinpoint the best fit.

WX500 (green) versus W510 (blue) across key photography types.

Portrait Photography

WX500 excels with better skin tone rendering, sharper eyes, and smooth bokeh at telephoto ends. W510 struggles with flat, noisy portraits and no eye-detection AF.

Landscape Photography

WX500’s superior sensor resolution and dynamic range produce crisp, colorful landscapes. W510’s images are softer with limited highlight retention.

Wildlife Photography

The WX500’s long zoom, fast burst rate, and tracking AF make it a practical choice for casual wildlife. The W510’s short zoom and sluggish AF severely limit usability.

Sports Photography

Again, WX500’s 10 fps bursts and continuous AF shine. W510 is effectively unsuitable due to slow response.

Street Photography

Surprisingly, W510’s ultracompact size aids discreet street shooting. The WX500 is bulkier but better in challenging light and subject tracking.

Macro Photography

Both can focus close, but WX500’s AF precision and longer zoom offer more creative control.

Night/Astro Photography

Neither camera is ideal for astrophotography, but WX500’s higher ISO capacity and longer exposure time (up to 30 seconds) give it an edge.

Video

WX500’s Full HD video crushes the W510’s VGA clips. Stabilization and frame rate options elevate usability.

Travel Photography

WX500’s versatility and connectivity make it the better travel companion despite larger size; W510 offers ultimate pocketability for minimalist travel.

Professional Use

Neither camera suits professional dual-raw workflows or weather sealing needs, but WX500 at least provides exposure modes and better ergonomics for serious hobbyists.

Final Takeaways: Which Should You Choose?

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 if...

• You want a budget-friendly, pocketable ultracompact camera.
• Your photography is casual snapshots in good lighting.
• Absolute simplicity and ease of use are your priorities.
• Video quality and zoom range are not important.
• Discretion and light carry weight most for street or travel.

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 if...

• You desire versatility with a powerful 30x zoom lens in a still-compact camera.
• You want substantial creative control with manual exposure modes.
• Video quality and connectivity for sharing matter.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, or wildlife and demand better image quality.
• You’re willing to carry a slightly larger camera for far superior overall performance.

No camera is perfect, and I urge you to consider how you shoot and what you value most in real use. Having tested both extensively under diverse conditions, the WX500 is clearly the more capable tool for serious enthusiasts or everyday shooters eager to push their results. The W510 still has charm for no-frills budget buyers or those desiring tiny simplicity.

Feel free to reach out if you want some tailored advice based on your specific photography goals!

Disclosure: I have no affiliations or sponsorships with Sony. All testing and opinions are based on personal hands-on experience and standardized industry evaluation parameters.

Thank you for reading this detailed comparison - I look forward to helping you make your next camera purchase confidently.

End of Review