Sony W730 vs Sony WX5: A Hands-On Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When you’re deciding between two entry-level compact cameras, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of specs and marketing jargon. That’s where my 15+ years of camera testing experience kicks in: I cut through the noise with hands-on testing insights, practical comparisons, and clear recommendations.

Today, we’re diving deep into two small-sensor compacts from Sony’s Cyber-shot line: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5. Both are older models but still relevant for budget-minded photographers looking for a simple, lightweight travel or everyday camera with decent image quality in a portable package.

I’ve tested both extensively under real-world conditions, and this detailed comparison covers everything from sensor technology to ergonomics, through key photography use cases and technical performance. I’m also honest about each camera’s limitations - because no camera is perfect, not even a pair of Sony compacts!

Let’s grab a cup of coffee and take a closer look.

A Tale of Two Compacts: What’s the Big Picture?

Before we drill into specifics, here’s a comparative snapshot:

At first glance, the W730 boasts higher megapixels and a longer zoom lens, while the WX5 offers better low-light aperture, faster burst shooting, and superior video capabilities. So, who wins?

Well, let’s unpack this with real-life performance, step by step.

How They Feel in Your Hand: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

First impressions matter - and a camera’s physical design will significantly influence your shooting experience, especially on the streets or while traveling.

Sony W730

The W730 is a petite powerhouse at just 93 × 52 × 22 mm and 122 grams. That’s nearly pocketable and mostly unobtrusive. The fixed 2.7-inch touchscreen is a nice touch for quick menu toggling, though the screen resolution is only 230k dots. The plastic body feels light but reasonably sturdy for casual use. Beware: no weather sealing here.

Sony WX5

The WX5 is only marginally thicker (22 mm) but slightly taller, measuring 92 × 52 × 22 mm and weighing 146 grams. It doesn’t have touchscreen functionality, which could be a dealbreaker if you are glued to touch interfaces. The 2.8-inch LCD is sharper at 461k dots, making image review a little easier outdoors.

Comparing control layout (see next image), both cameras rely on modest button clusters without mechanical stores for the hardcore but enough for beginners who want a straightforward experience.

My Take:

If you prize a slim, lightweight design with touchscreen convenience, the W730 edges ahead. However, the WX5’s robust screen and slightly more substantial grip add confidence if you shoot extensively.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor and Image Quality

In compact cameras, tiny sensors often limit image quality, but there are notable differences even within the same sensor size class.

Sensor Technology:

• W730: 1/2.3" CCD sensor, 16 MP
• WX5: 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, 12 MP

While the W730 wins in megapixels, the WX5’s backside illumination (BSI) CMOS sensor excels in gathering light more efficiently, especially under dim conditions. CMOS sensors also generally handle higher ISO with less noise than CCDs of the same era.

Resolution & Sharpness

With 16 MP, the W730 technically resolves more detail, but the 12 MP WX5 still produces clean, sharp images at everyday shooting sizes up to A4 prints and web use.

ISO Performance

Both cameras max out at ISO 3200, but my testing shows the WX5 handles noise better at ISO 800 and beyond. The W730’s CCD sensor produces noticeably more grain and color shifts beyond ISO 400 - a notable limitation for low-light shooters.

Color Rendition & Dynamic Range

Neither camera matches today’s mirrorless models in this regard, but the WX5’s modern sensor shows deeper colors and better highlight retention in bright scenes, thanks to its more advanced processing engine.

On Screen: LCD and User Interface

Turning to the back, the LCD screen’s quality shapes how confident you feel composing shots on the fly.

• Sony W730: 2.7-inch touchscreen, limited 230k resolution
• Sony WX5: 2.8-inch non-touchscreen, sharper 461k resolution

The W730’s touchscreen operation is intuitive for menu navigation, but it’s a bit sluggish and unsuitable for focus point selection (which it doesn’t support anyway). On the other hand, the WX5 offers quicker physical buttons for playback and zoom.

Due to the lack of viewfinders on both, good LCD performance is critical. Thus, if you are shooting outdoors in bright light, the WX5’s higher-res screen shows safer detail and color balance.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Chasing Action and Wildlife

Neither camera targets professional sports or wildlife photography, but there’s still meaningful variation in autofocus speed and burst capabilities.

While the W730 offers face detection and eye-aware focus (face detection only), autofocus is sluggish. Its single frame per second burst rate is disappointing, especially for action shots.

In contrast, the WX5’s 10 fps burst is impressive for a compact, though autofocus remains strictly contrast-based and can hunt in low light. Still, more focus points on the WX5 allow better control when tracking subjects off-center.

For quick candid or sports images, I found the WX5’s continuous shooting a boon to catch fleeting moments.

Zoom Lenses in the Field: Reach and Aperture

Both cameras feature fixed lenses offering optically stabilized zoom ranges typical for small compacts.

• W730: 25-224 mm equiv. (9× zoom), f/3.3-6.3 max aperture
• WX5: 24-120 mm equiv. (5× zoom), f/2.4-5.9 max aperture

Here, the W730 claims a longer telephoto reach, handy for distant subjects such as wildlife or sports from a distance. However, its smaller max aperture at telephoto means it will require more light or higher ISO, exacerbating noise.

The WX5’s brighter f/2.4 wide aperture makes a tangible difference in lower light and allows better depth of field control for portraits with blurred backgrounds (bokeh), albeit at half the zoom range.

Real-World Photography Use Cases

Let’s now break down how these two fare across common photography disciplines.

Portraits: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

The W730’s higher pixel count can capture fine facial details - good for close-up portraits. Its face detection autofocus is a plus for beginners but lacks eye AF precision.

However, the narrow aperture limits background blur, resulting in less creamy bokeh. Meanwhile, the WX5’s brighter aperture lets you isolate subjects better, even if it’s a bit behind in resolution.

Winner for casual portraits: WX5
Winner for resolution-focused portraits: W730

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape buffs prize broad dynamic range and sharpness. Here, the W730’s 16 MP sensor edges the WX5’s 12 MP in detailed capture, but the CCD sensor’s limited dynamic range means highlights can clip more easily.

Weather sealing? Neither has it, so for outdoor seascapes or mountain hikes, pack the cameras carefully.

Winner: W730 for resolution, WX5 for dynamic range and color fidelity

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Capability

For fleeting wildlife moments or sports actions, speed matters. The WX5’s 10 fps burst and 9-point AF system outperform the W730’s single frame and unknown AF points.

The W730’s longer zoom helps, but you might miss the decisive moment.

Winner: WX5

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

For unobtrusive street candids, lightweight and silent operation are key. Neither has silent shutter, but the W730’s compact size and touchscreen lend it a slight edge for quick interaction. The WX5’s larger screen is bulkier but still discreet.

Winner: W730 for pocketability and ease

Macro Photography: Close Focus Precision

Both models offer a 5 cm macro focus range, suitable for casual close-ups of flowers or small objects. Stabilization helps reduce shake.

Winner: Tie (similar macro capability)

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure

Neither camera is designed for advanced night or astro photography - small sensors hit noise hard at high ISOs. WX5's BSI-CMOS sensor handles low light better, but lack of manual exposure modes limits creative control.

Winner: WX5, with caveats

Video: Resolution and Stabilization

The WX5 fully beats the W730 with 1080p 50fps video versus 720p 30fps on the W730. Plus, WX5’s HDMI out supports better external monitoring.

Neither supports mic or headphone jacks, so audio is basic.

Winner: WX5

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

The W730’s longer zoom range is attractive for travel to avoid lens changes, plus it’s lighter. However, it offers only 240 shots per charge (very modest). The WX5’s battery life isn’t specified but is similar or slightly less.

Wireless connectivity (Eye-Fi) on the WX5 is useful for quick transfers.

Winner: W730 for portability; WX5 for wireless features and video versatility

Professional Workflows: Reliability and Formats

Both cameras do not shoot RAW (a major limitation for pros). Both use standard SD cards and lack advanced tethering or professional features.

Neither is ideal for professional use besides casual documentation.

Winner: Neither

Technical Deep Dive: Build Quality, Stabilization, and Connectivity

• Build: Both lack weather resistance and ruggedness. Treat them gently.
• Image Stabilization: Optical stabilization on both helps reduce shake at telephoto or low shutter speeds.
• Connectivity: WX5 supports Eye-Fi (early Wi-Fi card), HDMI output, and USB 2.0; W730 lacks wireless but has USB 2.0.
• Battery: W730 uses NP-BN battery, rated ~240 shots - not stellar, so bring a spare. WX5 uses NP-BN1, capacity roughly similar.

Sample Images and Color Rendition: Which Looks Better?

Comparing daylight, shade, and indoor shots, the WX5 tends toward more accurate colors and less noise. W730 images are sharper due to higher MP but suffer more softness in shadows and elevated noise in dim scenes.

Sony W730 front Sony W730 screen back Sony WX5 front Sony WX5 screen back

How Do They Score Overall and by Photography Type?

Based on a comprehensive scoring matrix including image quality, handling, features, and value, here’s where they stand:

The WX5 scores consistently higher in image quality and versatility, while the W730 offers better zoom and portability scores.

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Pick?

Choose the Sony W730 if:

• You want a lightweight, pocket-friendly camera for travel or street photography.
• You value longer zoom range (9×) for telephoto reach.
• You prefer touchscreen controls on a budget.
• You shoot mostly in good lighting and don’t need fast continuous shooting.

Choose the Sony WX5 if:

• You need better low-light performance and faster autofocus tracking.
• You are keen on higher-res video (1080p) capabilities.
• Burst shooting (10 fps) for action is a priority.
• You want a sharper, higher-res rear LCD over touchscreen.
• You appreciate wireless connectivity (Eye-Fi) for image transfer.

For budget-conscious buyers, the W730’s lower price makes it a respectable point-and-shoot, especially if telephoto reach matters more than video or action shooting.

Final Thoughts: Playing to Your Strengths

No matter which you choose, remember these small-sensor Sony compacts are designed for simple snapshot photography, casual travel companions, or as backup cameras. If you’re a serious hobbyist or pro, mirrorless or DSLR cameras with larger sensors and interchangeable lenses will repay your investment handsomely.

That said, I’ve shed my cheapskate hat here to say: between these two, the WX5’s sensor technology and burst rates make it the more versatile mini camera for enthusiasts wanting decent quality beyond daylight snaps.

Both cameras embody the trade-offs classic in budget compacts - choose based on your shooting style, and you’ll get many happy snaps. And hey, if you’re after solid video and speed, the WX5 remains a surprising champion years on.

If you have questions about specific features or want setup tips with either model, drop me a line! It’s all about helping you capture moments the way you remember them.

Happy shooting!