Sony W550 vs Sony WX500

Lets examine more closely at the Sony W550 vs Sony WX500, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the W550 (14MP) and WX500 (18MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The W550 was introduced 4 years earlier than the WX500 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the W550 matches up against the WX500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. The whole galleries are provided at Sony W550 Gallery and Sony WX500 Gallery.

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony W550 has physical dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Sony W550 vs Sony WX500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the W550 compared to the WX500.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the W550 and WX500 is 96 and 91 respectively.

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The pic below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the W550 and WX500.

Plainly, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony WX500 to deliver more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged W550 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.