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Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48

Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Sony WX30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Introduced July 2011
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Earlier Model is Sony WX350
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Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Sony. The image resolution of the WX30 (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is pretty close and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WX30 was released 4 years earlier than the WX500 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the WX30 grades versus the WX500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Sony WX500

 WX30 WX500 
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Sony WX30

 WX500 WX30 
LaunchedApril 2015July 2011More recent by 45 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sony WX30 and Sony WX500

 WX30 WX500 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Sony WX30 has got outside dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the WX30 compared to the WX500.

Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the WX30 and WX500 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WX30 and WX500.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony WX500 to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older WX30 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony WX30 Portrait photography advice
Sony WX500 Portrait photography advice
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
39
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony WX30
Street photography with Sony WX500
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
70
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (236 grams)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony WX30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Sports photography camera
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
great battery pack (360 per charge)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony WX30
Travel photography with Sony WX500
69
lighter than average (117 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
71
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (236g)
decent megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony WX30 Landscape photography features
Sony WX500 Landscape photography features
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
49
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
great battery pack (360 shots)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony WX30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX500 as a Vlogging camera
35
pretty wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (117 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (236g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
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Sony WX30 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony WX30 and Sony WX500
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-25 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.6-6.3 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech XtraFine TFT LCD display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.70 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lb) 236 grams (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 360 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-BN1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $259 $348