A Decade Apart but Worlds Between: Comparing the Sony WX5 and Sony ZV-1

When Sony launched the Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 in 2010 and then introduced the ZV-1 a decade later in 2020, it marked two distinct eras in compact camera design. The WX5, a small sensor point-and-shoot aimed at casual shooters, embodies the limitations and quirks of its time - modest specs crammed into a neat form factor. The ZV-1, tailored for content creators and enthusiasts, reflects the leaps in sensor technology, autofocus prowess, and video capabilities that have transformed the compact camera landscape.

Having spent countless hours testing and comparing cameras spanning both eras, I’m excited to unpack these two models side by side. Whether you are a nostalgic admirer of compact simplicity, a budding vlogger, or simply curious about small vs. large sensor compacts, this comprehensive review should provide clarity on where both cameras shine - and falter.

Sizing Up: Ergonomics and Physical Handling

At first glance, these two cameras couldn’t be more divergent in their physical presence.

The WX5 weighs a featherlight 146 grams and measures a slender 92 x 52 x 22 mm, embodying pocketable convenience. The ZV-1 is larger and heavier, at 294 grams and 105 x 60 x 44 mm, almost double the volume and heft. This size difference speaks volumes about their target users and hardware ambitions.

The WX5’s straightforward pocketability makes it ideal for casual daytrips or quick snaps - you hardly notice it in your hand or bag. But the trade-off is in handling. Its compactness offers limited grip, and the plastic-bodied shell, while not fragile, feels unassuming compared to modern compacts. Controls are basic and minimal.

The ZV-1, designed with vloggers and serious shooters in mind, boasts a chunkier grip and a more solid build. The camera’s wider profile and textured side surfaces provide reassurance during extended handheld sessions. Its more pronounced handholds, though sacrificing absolute portability, improve stability significantly - especially when paired with controlled manual focus or steady video shooting.

In my field tests, the WX5 often felt like a trusty point-and-shoot sidekick easy to carry everywhere, but prone to slips under fast shooting conditions. The ZV-1’s ergonomic design facilitated longer shoots with less fatigue, which is critical when you’re chasing that perfect composition or recording a vlog episode.

Control and Interface: Simplicity vs. Sophistication

Aside from size and grip, the user experience is sculpted heavily by the control layout and interface responsiveness. Here, the decade-long technological gap is glaring.

The WX5’s top deck is minimalistic - a shutter release, zoom rocker, and a few buttons for mode and playback. It has no touchscreen, no customizable buttons, and no advanced dials. This meant that shooting options were limited to fully automatic modes or very basic manual overrides (like custom white balance) - a reflectance of the casual user expectations of 2010.

By contrast, the ZV-1 embraces a modern UI ethos, with a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen and intuitive menu navigation. Touch autofocus, quick access to exposure compensation, shutter and aperture priority modes, and manual exposure provide layers of control that encourage experimentation.

While the WX5 may appeal to those who prefer “point and shoot and be done,” the ZV-1 caters to photographers and videographers who crave nuanced settings at their fingertips - or touch. The touchscreen’s responsiveness and the ability to focus by tapping on the display directly improve speed and user confidence in unpredictable shooting scenarios.

Imaging Sensors: The Heart of the Matter

Here, the gulf between a 2010-era compact and a 2020 multimedia powerhouse becomes undeniable.

The WX5 is equipped with a relatively tiny 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with an image area of 28.07 mm². It pushes a maximum resolution of 12 megapixels with an anti-alias filter in place.

The ZV-1, however, enlarges the sensor dramatically to a 1" BSI-CMOS measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm and boasting 20 megapixels resolution. Its sensor area exceeds that of the WX5 by more than four times (116.16 mm²).

More sensor real estate translates into bigger photosites, improved light gathering, superior dynamic range, and better noise control. In real-world terms:

• Portrait and Skin Tones: The ZV-1 delivers far richer color depth, subtle gradations in skin tones, and better rendering of low-contrast facial details thanks to its superior sensor and processing engine (Bionz X). The WX5 often exhibits softer skin tones with less accurate color and noticeable noise creeping in at mid-ISOs.

• Landscape Detail: The ZV-1’s 20MP sensor captures greater detail for large prints or pixel-peeping, while preserving highlight and shadow information better. The WX5’s 12MP sensor suffices for web use but lacks the resolution and DR to meet demanding landscape photographers' needs.

• Low-Light and High ISO: Once ISO climbs past 800, the WX5’s image quality deteriorates rapidly with visible luminance noise and loss of detail - not shocking given the sensor size and decade-old tech. The ZV-1 maintains usable files up to ISO 6400 and even beyond in RAW, opening doors for night, event, and astro photography.

This sensor advantage also enables the ZV-1 to shoot at full HD 1080p at 120fps or even 4K UHD, which is beyond the WX5’s capabilities.

Touch and View: LCD Screen Evolution

The importance of an accurate and responsive display can’t be overstated, especially when composing on the fly or reviewing shots.

The WX5 features a fixed 2.8-inch non-touch LCD with a modest 461k-dot resolution. This screen is limited in articulation and brightness, making outdoor viewing a challenge on sunny days.

The ZV-1’s 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen has 922k dots - twice the resolution, brighter output, and wide viewing angles. It swivels 180° for selfies and vlogging, a big usability gain for content creators.

In practical terms, reviewing images, adjusting focal points with a tap, and checking exposure via live histogram are effortless on the ZV-1. The WX5’s screen, by comparison, feels somewhat archaic and lacks the finesse expected by today’s standards.

Autofocus and Speed: Modern Precision vs. Early Adaptation

AF technology has arguably seen the most radical leaps in the past decade.

The WX5 relies on a basic contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points and no phase detection. It supports single autofocus mode and face detection is absent - the system hunter-gathers contrast until a satisfactory lock is found. Continuous autofocus and tracking aren’t native features.

The ZV-1, conversely, is equipped with a hybrid AF system combining 315 phase-detection points and contrast detection. It supports real-time eye AF, face detection, and seamless AF tracking with touch and selective-area AF.

This manifests in shooting scenarios:

• Wildlife and Sports: The WX5’s slow and sometimes jittery AF is unfit for fast-moving subjects. The ZV-1’s AF hunts less and locks swiftly, tracking subjects consistently through motion. Burst shooting at 24fps with AF tracking supports sports or wildlife enthusiasts shooting action sequences.

• Street and Travel: Quick, silent AF and accurate eye-detection in the ZV-1 make it ideal for capturing fleeting human moments and portraits on the go. The WX5 is more prone to missed focus in unpredictable street scenes.

Despite being more compact and lighter, the WX5 can’t hold a candle to the ZV-1’s autofocus intelligence, which has been crafted with modern algorithms and processing power.

Lens and Optical Performance: Reach and Aperture

Both cameras come with fixed lenses, but their characteristics differ greatly due to differing sensor sizes and intended usages.

• WX5: 24-120mm (5x optical zoom) with aperture range F2.4-5.9
• ZV-1: 24-70mm (2.9x zoom) with aperture range F1.8-2.8

The WX5’s longer zoom range makes it versatile for casual snaps, but the small sensor requires this reach to compensate for image size.

The ZV-1 opts for a wider aperture, which translates into shallower depth of field and better low-light capture despite a more modest zoom range.

The bright F1.8-2.8 optics on the ZV-1 are a boon for portraits, producing pleasing bokeh and subject isolation - a critical advantage over the WX5’s narrower aperture that limits background blur and low-light flexibility.

Macro focusing distance is identical for both at 5cm, though the ZV-1’s advanced AF system aids precision focus at close range.

Video Capabilities: A Content Creator’s Dream vs. Basic Clips

If you are interested in video, the ZV-1 clearly outclasses the WX5.

The WX5 records HD video up to 1920x1080 at 50fps in the AVCHD codec with no manual control or external mic support. It lacks built-in stabilization beyond lens-shift optical image stabilization and features no 4K recording.

The ZV-1 offers:

• 4K UHD video recording at 30p with high bitrates (up to 100 Mbps) in XAVC-S format
• Full HD 1080p slow motion at 120fps for smooth slow-motion clips
• Optical stabilization plus electronic steady shot for smoother footage
• Built-in directional microphone port and external mic input (essential for quality sound)
• Fully articulating screen perfect for vlogging and selfie shooting

This camera was designed with creators in mind - fast AF in video, clear audio options, and versatile recording modes make it a standout in the compact segment. The WX5’s video, while serviceable for home movies or casual recording, can’t compete here.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery details for the WX5 are scarce but it uses the NP-BN1 battery, designed for light casual shooting with modest capacity. The ZV-1 has a proprietary battery pack rated for about 260 shots per charge under CIPA standards, which in my experience lasts a solid half-day of moderate use including video.

Both cameras accept SD / SDHC / SDXC cards, but the ZV-1 also supports Memory Stick Pro Duo variants, offering flexibility especially for Sony system users.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather-sealed, crushed-proof, or freeze-proof. The WX5’s plastic body and minimal sealing suggests it’s best kept out of challenging environmental conditions.

The ZV-1, while not weather-sealed either, displays a much more robust build with metal elements and tactile buttons that survive everyday handling stresses better.

Price and Value Proposition: Budget vs. Feature Set

At launch, the WX5 was priced around $250, positioning it as an affordable compact aimed at casual consumers.

The ZV-1 debuted at approximately $750, a premium reflecting its advanced sensor, superior video features, and ergonomics.

Considering the massive gap in technology and usage scenarios, the two cameras serve quite separate buyer personas. The WX5 is a decent retro choice for minimalists or collectors; the ZV-1 is for those demanding a versatile, future-ready compact camera.

Sample Image Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

Take a look at these side-by-side sample images shot under standardized conditions:

Sony WX5 front Sony WX5 screen back Sony ZV 1 front Sony ZV 1 screen back

The ZV-1’s image is noticeably sharper, with richer colors, smoother background blur, and better balance of highlights and shadows. The WX5’s images feel softer with a muted palette and some visible noise in darker areas.

Overall Performance Ratings Summarized

Our comprehensive testing reveals the following overall performance scores:

Unsurprisingly, the ZV-1 leads across practically all parameters - image quality, autofocus, video, and ergonomics - with the WX5 lagging in line with its age and design philosophy.

Niche Performance by Photography Type

Breaking performance down by photography genre provides further clarity:

• Portraits: ZV-1 excels with shallow depth and accurate skin tones; WX5 is okay at casual portraits.
• Landscape: ZV-1’s dynamic range and resolution far surpass WX5, though neither is stitched into outdoor weather resistance.
• Wildlife/Sports: ZV-1's autofocus and burst rates favored; WX5 struggles with focus speed.
• Street: WX5 is more pocketable but auto-exposure and AF capabilities favor ZV-1.
• Macro: Both have similar close focus but ZV-1's AF precision wins out.
• Night/Astro: ZV-1’s high ISO and manual controls excel; WX5 is limited.
• Video: ZV-1 is clearly designed for videographers; WX5 only basic video.
• Travel: ZV-1 is similarly portable with a robust feature set; WX5 extremely compact but limited.
• Professional: ZV-1 supports RAW files, more manual control, superior processing workflow integration.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

In the grand tapestry of camera evolution, the Sony WX5 and ZV-1 mark distinct chapters:

• Buy the Sony WX5 if: You want a no-frills, ultra-compact snapper primarily for casual photography. It is ideal if you find nostalgia in classic point-and-shoot simplicity or require an unobtrusive camera weighing next to nothing.

• Buy the Sony ZV-1 if: Image quality, autofocus speed, video capabilities, and shooting versatility matter. Perfect for vloggers, enthusiasts wanting advanced compact performance, and hybrid shooters who need solid stills and video in one package.

While the WX5 was respectable for its time, the ZV-1 clearly demonstrates how innovation in sensor technology, processing, and interface design have elevated compact cameras’ creative potential.

For most users, the gap is simply too large to overlook, and the ZV-1 sets a standard that small sensor compacts like the WX5 cannot meet. But every camera has its place, and understanding those places helps us choose the right tool for our photographic journey.

Happy shooting, wherever your images take you.