Clicky

Sony W510

 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 54 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28

Sony W510 overview

Sony W510 is Sony's Ultracompact camera first released on January of 2011. The camera has a 12MP, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a maximum resolution of 4000 x 3000.

The W510 is placed #115 out of 151 in Ultracompact cameras and all around #1169 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. Remember to use our Advanced camera filter to get camera results based on your personalized factors.

Kodak's Tri-X Black-and-White Film Now 30% Cheaper

Here is a diagram of different criteria used in the scoring system.

Sony W510 family

The Sony W510 is part of a family of digital cameras. You can view the detailed range below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX220 front thumbnailSony WX220
W510 vs WX220
25-250mm
F3.3-5.9
18MP1/2.3"2014
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W830 front thumbnailSony W830
W510 vs W830
25-200mm
F3.3-6.3
20MP1/2.3"2014
Leica to Release Innovative Hybrid Medium Format Camera in 2 Years
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W810 front thumbnailSony W810
W510 vs W810
27-162mm
F3.5-6.5
20MP1/2.3"2014
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W550 front thumbnailSony W550
W510 vs W550
26-104mm
F2.7-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W560 front thumbnailSony W560
W510 vs W560
26-104mm
F2.7-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W570 front thumbnailSony W570
W510 vs W570
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2011
Jaw-Dropping Space Capture Exposes Earth's Mesmerizing Golden Luminescence
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX9 front thumbnailSony WX9
W510 vs WX9
25-125mm
F2.6-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W530 front thumbnailSony W530
W510 vs W530
26-104mm
F2.7-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W510 front thumbnailSony W51026-104mm
F2.8-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W330 front thumbnailSony W330
W510 vs W330
26-105mm
F2.7-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2010
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W350 front thumbnailSony W350
W510 vs W350
26-105mm
F2.7-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2010
Photographer Triumphs in Lawsuit Over Creative Commons Image Rights
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W310 front thumbnailSony W310
W510 vs W310
28-112mm
F3.0-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2010
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W320 front thumbnailSony W320
W510 vs W320
26-105mm
F2.7-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2010
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W380 front thumbnailSony W380
W510 vs W380
24-120mm
F2.4-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2010

Sony W510 Pros and Cons

Below is a checklist of benefits and drawbacks of the Sony W510 based on aspects that are typically viewed as essential in a camera.

built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
built in zoom lens (26-104mm 4.0 x zoom)
great min ISO (80)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
focusing manually not possible
lack of phase detect auto focus
lack of RAW support
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution screen (230 k dots)
max zoom aperture not good (f5.9)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing HDMI out
missing headphone support
missing mic support
missing Time Lapse mode
no aperture priority
no articulating screen
no external flash support
no manual exposure
no shutter priority
screen is small (2.7 inch)
small sensor (1/2.3")
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
AI-made Images of Food Appear More Delicious Than Real Photos

Sony W510 Sensor info

The Sony W510 houses the BIONZ processor chip. The dimension of the sensor on the Sony W510 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 4000 x 3000 pixels at aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera includes Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). Optical stabilization is superior than digital stabilization since the latter may produce cropping.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The CCD sensor boasts 12 megapixels and has a native ISO range of 80 to 3200. Sadly, RAW format is not saved therefore the user has less margin for error.

The image below shows the W510's sensor dimensions in comparison to other common sizes. The W510 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is showcased in green.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 sensor size C500 Mark II gets new Cinema RAW Light modes from Canon

To get an idea of various aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Sony W510 dimensions

Sony W510 is 0.26 lb (119 grams or 4.20 oz) and the over all size of the camera is 96mm x 54mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8"). The weight of normal Ultracompact camera is 121 grams and the Sony W510 is on par when compared with its rivals.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Listed below is a photo of the Sony W510 alongside a softdrink so you're able to have a sense of its scale.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 dimensions scale

The top view here will illustrate the button arrangement on the W510.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 topview buttons dials

Sony W510 Lens info

The W510 offers a built in lens and a focal range of 26-104mm making it a 4.0 x zoom which may not be outstanding however it is going to be useful in some cases.

At the widest 26mm, it offers an aperture of f2.8 making it quite slow and not the best in low light situations and you will struggle to capture a shallow depth of field. You will likely also have to boost the ISO setting causing noisy photographs. With the tele end, 104mm comes with f5.9 which is pretty slow and you will need to go with slow shutter speeds.

OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus

Sony W510 Connectivity

The W510 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Cameras which include NFC and Bluetooth connectivity are able to be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You can transfer pictures and sometimes change camera settings without the hassle of connecting physically to the camera.

A few applications even allow a Liveview and click the shutter if you aren't near the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI out, it can easily be connected to an external screen. Nearly all cameras will allow you to recharge the battery with the USB socket.

Sony Japan Introduces 5G Transmitter for Alpha Cameras

Sony W510 Video info

The maximum video quality on the Sony W510 is 640 x 480 and it can capture in Motion JPEG format. 480p is awful by today's requirements. You should really target at least FUll HD quality for good video. The camera doesn't feature a mic and headphone port which means that you have got no control over your sound. It is perhaps a better idea to get an alternative camera should you require good sound in your video clips.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sony W510 Weather Sealing

Sony W510 doesn't include weather sealing so damp conditions can affect the camera.

Sony W510 Display and Viewfinder

The Sony W510 has a 2.7" fixed display boasting a resolution of 230k dots.

Sadly the display is not a touch screen.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 screen and viewfinder Kodak's Tri-X Black-and-White Film Now 30% Cheaper

The ViewFinder specs regarding Sony W510 are below:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders are quite handy in bright outdoor conditions which can make the camera display washed out and difficult to view.

Sony W510 Shutter info

Sony W510 has the capability to shoot continuously at 1.0 fps. The max shutter speed is 1/1600s.

Leica to Release Innovative Hybrid Medium Format Camera in 2 Years

Sony W510 Flash and Hot shoe info

Sony W510 includes only built-in flash with missing external flash ability.

Sony W510 Autofocus info

Sony W510 includes just Contrast Based Auto Focus and doesn't have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection focusing is more quicker and precise compared with Contrast Based focusing.

The Sensor has 9 focus points to choose from. Sony W510 does not have manual focusing. Manual focusing mode can be useful in low light situations or you require more accurate focusing control.

Jaw-Dropping Space Capture Exposes Earth's Mesmerizing Golden Luminescence

Sony W510 Battery life

The general Ultracompact camera battery life is 214. Nikon L32 offers the highest possible (320) battery life in this type of cameras.

Here is a number of Ultracompact cameras that come with the best battery life:

Sony W510 for different forms of photography

The following illustration shows a summation of the Sony W510 for different forms of photography. To read more, check out the specific section below.

Portrait photography with Sony W510

The Sony W510 receives a score of 21 which is awful, and means the camera is not appropriate for portrait photography. Taking portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor resolution, support for RAW photos & option to utilize external flash.

AI-made Images of Food Appear More Delicious Than Real Photos
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support

Sony W510 as a Street photography camera

Getting a average points tally of 57, the Sony W510 is relatively suited for street photography. A very good street photography camera comes with a fine balance of picture quality and portability.

C500 Mark II gets new Cinema RAW Light modes from Canon
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files

Sony W510 as a Sports photography camera

A awful sports photography points total of 26 indicates the Sony W510 is not appropriate for taking pictures of sports. A camera needs excellent tracking and fast shutter speeds for sports photography.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF

Sony W510 as a Travel photography camera

Portability is extremely important when selecting a camera for travel. Overall, the Sony W510 gets a decent 58 as a travelling camera which is fairly suited to buy for your journeys.

OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)

Sony W510 Landscape photography factors

For anybody planning to pick a camera for landscape photos, the most important aspect is going to be image quality. The Sony W510 at it's awful score of 33 for a landscape camera is not appropriate in the current market.

Sony Japan Introduces 5G Transmitter for Alpha Cameras
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode

Sony W510 Vlogging highlights

A camera for vlogging should posses a articulating screen, microphone input and ideally image stabilization. Considering every thing, the Sony W510 is not appropriate as a vlog camera as it delivers a awful score of 29.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone support

Sony W510 Alternatives

If you are searching for replacements to the W510, below is a collection of the top ranked cameras that fall within the family of Ultracompact.

The graph underneath gives you a bird's eye view of the W510 vs it's top scored rivals suggested above.

Following are several cameras you may see as alternate options. To read a comprehensive comparison, click the "compare" link.

Kodak's Tri-X Black-and-White Film Now 30% Cheaper

Specifications

General Information
Brand
Sony
Model type
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
Type
Ultracompact
Announced
2011-01-06
Physical type
Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Processor
BIONZ
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW files
Highest native ISO
3200
Lowest native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points
9
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture
f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance
4cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display sizing
2.7 inch
Resolution of display
230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology
Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed
1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate
1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance
2.30 m
Flash options
Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions
640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution
640x480
Video format
Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
119 gr (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions
96 x 54 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8")
Other
Battery ID
NP-BN1
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots
1
Cost at launch
$99