Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX10: An Expert’s In-Depth Comparison for 2024

Choosing between Sony’s compact cameras from the 2011 lineup - the Cyber-shot DSC-W560 and the Cyber-shot DSC-WX10 - is a fascinating exercise in understanding how incremental upgrades and design philosophies impact practical photography. Both models cater to enthusiasts looking for ultraportable cameras with decent zoom ranges but differ meaningfully in image quality, usability, and features. Having spent countless hours testing Sony cameras across various shooting scenarios, I’m eager to share a deep dive grounded in hands-on experience.

In this article, I'll walk you through the essential factors you should consider - from sensor performance and lens capabilities to ergonomics and photographic versatility - so you can confidently select the best fit for your needs.

Getting Acquainted: Physicality and Handling Differences

At a glance, both cameras are designed for easy pocketability, but the subtle variations in body design and ergonomics can greatly affect how intuitive they feel during extended use.

• The Sony W560 adopts an ultracompact chassis measuring 94 x 56 x 19 mm, weighing a mere 110 grams with its NP-BN1 battery installed.
• The Sony WX10, comparatively larger at 95 x 54 x 23 mm and heavier at 161 grams, leans into a more traditional compact design, offering a firmer handhold.

While the W560 impresses with its featherlight presence perfect for urban strolls or travel, the WX10’s extra heft translates into increased stability - something I appreciated during longer shooting sessions or when using extended zoom focal lengths.

Control placement also diverges: the W560’s minimalist button layout offers less customization and lacks a dedicated manual focus ring. The WX10 incorporates manual focus capability, allowing for creative control - vital if you want to experiment beyond point-and-shoot defaults.

Ergonomics are often overlooked, but in my experience, the added thickness of the WX10 improves grip security and minimizes camera shake - a solid plus for macro or telephoto work.

Design and Control: Simplicity vs. Functionality

Flipping them over and looking from above, differences in layout become clearer:

• The W560’s controls are button-sparse and aimed at casual shooters prioritizing straightforward operation.
• Meanwhile, the WX10 sports a slightly larger mode dial and extra buttons for exposure compensation, manual focus toggling, and customizable settings.

This translates to more creative freedom on the WX10. For photographers who understand or want to learn manual exposure techniques, the WX10 is the more inspiring tool. In contrast, the W560’s limited controls might frustrate anyone craving deeper photographic expression but serve perfectly for users wanting point-and-shoot ease.

The WX10 also supports exposure compensation, which is crucial when dealing with tricky lighting - something you'll want whether shooting street scenes or landscapes.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD Meets BSI-CMOS

Sensor technology is arguably the most critical difference. Sony equipped the W560 with a 14MP CCD sensor, a common choice back then for image clarity at base ISOs but prone to noise at higher sensitivities. The WX10, however, features a 16MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor of the same 1/2.3-inch size but with modern architecture, bringing enhanced noise performance, better dynamic range, and greater overall image quality.

From my hours of side-by-side shooting:

• The BSI-CMOS sensor in the WX10 provides cleaner images at ISO 800 and above with less color noise - a huge advantage for low-light or indoor photography.
• The CCD sensor in the W560 produces slightly warmer colors at base ISO but struggles with noise beyond ISO 400.

Both cameras output JPEG-only files - no RAW support here - so the in-camera image processing pipeline and sensor prowess decide your final photo quality.

The WX10 also shoots images at a max resolution of 16MP (4608 x 3456 pixels), offering more cropping flexibility or large prints, compared to the W560’s 14MP max resolution (4320 x 3240 pixels). This is a subtle but tangible upgrade.

The Lens and Zoom: Versatility and Aperture

Lens quality often defines how much you’ll enjoy your images, and here both cameras bring respectable offerings with some distinct pros and cons:

Though the W560’s zoom is more limited at 4x, its lens starts at a slightly narrower angle (26mm equivalent), just trailing the WX10’s 24mm wide-angle. The WX10 impressively reaches 7x zoom, highly advantageous for wildlife or street photographers wanting extra reach without bulky telephoto gear.

In practice, the WX10's longer telephoto range means more framing versatility - but beware: as with many extended zoom compact cameras, the lens performance tapers towards the extreme telephoto end, bringing softness and aberrations.

The WX10 also benefits from a marginally faster maximum aperture at wide angle (f/2.4 vs. f/2.7), helping with low-light shots and background separation. However, both models close down beyond f/5 at the telephoto end, limiting shallow depth-of-field effects.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Snapping Subjects on the Run

Autofocus is where I see notable distinctions affecting fast-paced genres like sports and wildlife.

• Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points, lacking advanced phase detection or hybrid AF systems.
• The W560 offers single autofocus only, with a maximum continuous shooting speed of 1 fps - extremely limiting if you chase action.
• The WX10 sticks with single AF but ramps up burst shooting to a brisk 10 fps, enabling more decisive capture moments.

In practical terms, the WX10's faster continuous shooting, combined with manual focus, makes it the better choice for photographing moving subjects. However, neither model excels for professional sports or wildlife work, where dedicated AF tracking and higher frame rates are essential.

Display and Viewfinder: Finding Your Frame

Screen technology influences how comfortably you compose and review your photos:

• The W560 sports a fixed 3-inch Clear Photo LCD with 230k dots resolution - adequate but not especially sharp or detailed.
• The WX10 uses a slightly smaller 2.8-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus screen, but with a higher-resolution 460k dots, delivering crisper previews and easier menu navigation.

Absence of any electronic viewfinder on both models hinders composition in bright sunlight or for photographers preferring eye-level framing. However, for their market segment, the LCD sizes are suitable.

The WX10’s display also handles live view more smoothly, which benefits manual focus confirmation and video recording.

Video: Capturing Motion with Flair

Video capabilities have advanced notably since these cameras were launched, but for their era:

The WX10 clearly pulls ahead here with Full HD 1080p recording at smooth 60 frames per second, contributing to silky motion and expanded creative options. It also supports the AVCHD format, used widely for better compression and editing flexibility.

While the W560 maxes out at 720p, the standard-definition video output won't satisfy videographers wanting crisp footage or those planning to integrate video clips into professional projects.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports nor supports 4K capture, so video is best considered a supplemental feature.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

Both cameras pair with proprietary batteries - NP-BN1 for the W560 and NP-BG1 for the WX10.

• Battery life figures are unspecified by Sony for these models, but hands-on experience suggests the WX10 runs slightly shorter per charge, likely due to its brighter screen and faster video modes.
• Storage options are identical, supporting SD, SDHC, SDXC cards plus Sony’s Memory Stick formats in a single slot.

On connectivity, both cameras come with USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, plus Eye-Fi wireless SD card compatibility for effortless photo transfer. However, no Bluetooth or NFC support is present - unsurprising given the 2011 release date.

Durability and Build Quality: Ready for the Road?

Neither the W560 nor WX10 offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shock resistance. Both should be treated as delicate tools - not rugged travel companions.

That said, the WX10’s more substantial body and texture provide more confidence for casual field use. If you plan to shoot outdoors in mixed weather, you should consider protective housing or opt for more modern compacts boasting weather resistance.

How Do These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres?

Let’s tackle each common photographic discipline to assess real-world suitability.

Portrait Photography

• Neither camera features face or eye detection autofocus, limiting their ability to nail sharp focus on eyes reliably.
• W560’s f/2.7 wide aperture allows some subject separation, but bokeh is minimal given sensor size and optics.
• WX10’s manual focus enables deliberate focus control for headshots, with slightly better image clarity at base ISO.
• Skin tones on both cameras render naturally, though WX10's better sensor dynamic range handles highlights and shadows more gracefully.

Landscape Photography

• Both share generous wide-angle starts (24-26mm equivalent) but lack RAW output, restricting postprocessing latitude.
• Smaller sensor size means relatively limited resolution and dynamic range compared to DSLRs or mirrorless models.
• WX10’s higher megapixel count and superior sensor technology edge out the W560 in fine detail.
• Lack of weather sealing demands careful handling in inclement conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• WX10’s 7x zoom significantly outperforms W560’s 4x in reach.
• 10 fps burst rate on WX10 helps capture fleeting expressions or movement.
• Slow autofocus and absence of tracking limits practical use for serious wildlife shooters.
• Consider WX10 as a lightweight backup or beginner wildlife cam, not a professional tool.

Sports Photography

• W560’s sluggish 1 fps burst and single AF point are unsuited for sports.
• WX10’s faster continuous shooting and manual focus offer marginal improvements but still no AF tracking.
• Neither replaces a mirrorless or DSLR designed for action.

Street Photography

• W560’s compactness and ultralight body favor inconspicuous street shooting.
• WX10 is bulkier and potentially more noticeable but offers superior zoom versatility for candid portraits at distance.
• Low light performance favors WX10 if you want evening street scenes.

Macro Photography

• Both focus down to 5 cm, typical for compact cameras.
• Optical image stabilization helps reduce blur at close focus distances.
• Manual focus on WX10 allows precision focusing preferred for macro framings.

Night and Astrophotography

• Modest maximum ISO 3200 on both; WX10’s sensor yields cleaner files here.
• Limited manual exposure controls dampen astrophotography prospects.
• No bulb mode or long-exposure support.

Video Work

• WX10 offers superior Full HD 1080p recording at 60 fps - useful for social videos and casual filmmaking.
• W560 limited to 720p, not ideal for multimedia.
• Neither supports external audio accessories.

Travel Photography

• W560’s featherweight and slim lines excel for pocket travel carry.
• WX10’s longer zoom and manual focus accommodate a wider variety of scenes.
• Both cameras lack weather sealing, demanding care outdoors.
• Battery life and fast image transfer via Eye-Fi cards support extended trips.

Professional Use

• Neither camera supports RAW or professional tethering.
• Limited manual controls and slower response make them secondary tools at best.
• Useful as documenters or casual backup but not as primary professional cameras.

Technical Summary: Performance Scores and Ratings

Based on rigorous lab testing and fieldwork, here are the overall scores reflecting image quality, usability, and versatility:

Genre-Specific Suitability Analysis

This graphic summarizes which model suits various photography disciplines:

• Portrait: WX10 edges out W560 thanks to cleaner sensor and manual focus.
• Landscapes: WX10’s better sensor & resolution are beneficial.
• Wildlife: WX10 preferred for zoom & burst.
• Sports: Neither excels; WX10 marginally better due to burst.
• Street: W560 for portability; WX10 for zoom reach.
• Macro: WX10 better for focus control.
• Night/Astro: WX10 for cleaner ISO performance.
• Video: WX10 dominant for HD recording.
• Travel: W560 for weight; WX10 for versatility.
• Professional Use: Neither ideal; WX10 preferred backup.

Real-World Image Comparisons: Seeing Is Believing

Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back Sony WX10 front Sony WX10 screen back

Side-by-side you notice:

• WX10 images show more fine detail and cleaner shadows at ISO 400+.
• W560 injects warmer color tones but lacks midtone detail.
• Both cameras’ limited dynamic range reveals highlight clipping in harsh daylight.

Final Thoughts: Which Sony Compact Should You Choose?

Choose the Sony W560 if:

• You prioritize an ultralight compact for casual everyday shooting.
• Your photography is mostly daytime and social snapshots.
• You want straightforward point-and-shoot operation without fuss.
• Budget constraints make a $140 street price attractive.

Opt for the Sony WX10 if:

• You seek improved image quality with the better sensor and higher resolution.
• Manual focus and exposure compensation matter to your workflow.
• You need longer zoom reach and faster continuous shooting for more versatile photography.
• Video recording in Full HD is important to you.
• You accept a slight weight and size increase for these benefits, and don’t mind a $200 price point.

In conclusion, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX10 stands out as the more capable camera by a notable margin, especially for enthusiasts who want control and image quality beyond simple snapshots. The W560 is a valid minimalist pick, especially for lightweight travel or casual users.

If you’re serious about photographic progression and can stretch your budget, I recommend the WX10. If ultimate portability and lightweight simplicity top your priorities, the W560 remains a worthy, affordable contender.

With extensive hands-on testing, I’ve found that contemplating sensors and ergonomics together is key - picking a camera that fits your style, workflow, and intended uses will always trump chasing specs alone.

Happy shooting!

If you’re ready to explore these models further, detailed specifications can be revisited above - alongside real-world photo galleries and usage notes to help finalize your choice.

Thank you for reading this in-depth Sony compact camera comparison. For more expert reviews and photography equipment advice, stay tuned.