Sony WX50
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
- 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
- Launched January 2012
- Read full specs
- Alternatives
- Size Comparison
- FAQ
96 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37
Sony WX50 overview
Sony WX50 is Sony's Small Sensor Compact digital camera first revealed on January of 2012. It has a 16 MegaPixel, BSI-CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a maximum resolution of 4608 x 3456.
The WX50 is placed #64 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras and all round #825 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to test our Smart camera search to get camera listings based on your personalized requirements.
Below is a chart of different criteria used in the scoring system.
Sony WX50 history
The Sony WX50 is part of a family of cameras. You can read the complete list underneath.
F2.6-6.316MP1/2.3"2012
Sony WX50 Gallery
You can look at the WX50 from several angles in the gallery below.
Sony WX50 Pros and Cons
Here is a collection of good and bad points of the Sony WX50 based on things which are oftentimes viewed as useful in a digital camera.
Sony WX50 Sensor features
The Sony WX50 features the BIONZ processor. The sensor spec in the Sony WX50 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the ability to resolve 4608 x 3456 pixels using aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera includes Image Stabilization (Optical). Sensor stabilization is better than digital stabilization as the latter may lead to cropping.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe BSI-CMOS sensor boasts 16 megapixels and has a standard ISO range of 100 - 12800. Unfortunately, RAW photos are not saved so you have less room to maneuver in post.
The graphic underneath displays the WX50's sensor size in comparison to other popular sizes. The WX50 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is shown in green.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesTo get an understanding of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.
Sony WX50 dimensions
Sony WX50 weighs in at 0.26 lbs (117 gr or 4.13 ounces) and features external size of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7"). The weight of normal Small Sensor Compact camera is 174 gr so the Sony WX50 is lighter as compared with other rivals.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideUnderneath is a picture of the Sony WX50 alongside a soda to help you have a feel for its size.
The top view underneath will show the button layout on the WX50.
Sony WX50 Lens features
The WX50 provides a fixed lens having a focal range of 25-125mm giving it a 5.0 x zoom which might not be perfect but it may be invaluable in some circumstances.
At it's widest 25mm, the lens offers an aperture of f2.6 and that's really sluggish and not the best in low light occasions and you will find it difficult to capture good bokeh. You might also have to up your ISO setting giving you noisy photos. On the long end, 125mm comes at f6.3 making it quite sluggish and you will have to go with slower shutter speeds.
Sony WX50 Connectivity
The WX50 has the following connectivity:
- USB Yes
- HDMI Yes
Cameras which include NFC and Bluetooth connectivity are able to be used wirelessly through smartphones. You can send files and oftentimes change settings without connecting physically with the camera.
A few apps also enable a Liveview and click the shutter in case you aren't close to the camera. If the camera features a HDMI out, it can easily be hooked up to an external screen. Many cameras enable you to charge the battery through the USB port.
Sony WX50 Video features
The maximum video resolution in the Sony WX50 is 1920 x 1080 and it can record in MPEG-4 and AVCHD file format. 1080p resolution gives a great balance in video quality vs file size but FULL HD won't give you much room to downsample. The body doesn't feature a mic and headphone port so you get absolutely no control over your audio. It is probably best to buy a different model should you need good audio in your videos.
Sony WX50 Weather Sealing
Sony WX50 doesn't have weather proofing so damp conditions can easily damage the camera.
Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder
The Sony WX50 has a 2.7" fixed display screen having a resolution of 461k dots.
Please note that the display offers no touch support.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe View Finder specs regarding Sony WX50 are as follows:
- ViewFinder None
Viewfinders can be really helpful in sunny outdoor situations which will make the camera screen washed out and hard to view.
Sony WX50 Shutter features
Sony WX50 continuous shooting rate is 10.0 fps. The max shutter speed is 1/1600 seconds.
Sony WX50 Flash and Hot shoe features
Sony WX50 includes just built in flash without external flash ability.
Sony WX50 Autofocus features
Sony WX50 includes only Contrast Detect AF and does not have Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more snappier and accurate as compared with Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera has Face detection which can be useful for portraits.
It also has Tracking AF for subjects that move. Sony WX50 doesn't have manual focus. Manual focus ability is good in low light or you want more precise control on focus.
Sony WX50 Battery life
The battery (NP-BN) on the Sony WX50 is fashioned to last for 240 photos as per the CIPA measurements which is about average when compared to its competition. The general Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 has the highest possible (470) battery life in this group of cameras.
Following is a list of Small Sensor Compact cameras which have the best battery life:
Sony WX50 for different categories of photography
The following graph displays a overview of the Sony WX50 for different categories of photography. To view more, browse to the specific section underneath.
Sony WX50 as a Portrait photography camera
The Sony WX50 receives a score of 34 which is horrible, meaning that it is not appropriate to use for portraits. Photographing portraits favors heavily to sensor dimensions, RAW support along with the flexibility to utilize external flash.
Street photography with Sony WX50
With a above average score of 63, the Sony WX50 is a very decent fit to use in street photography. A very good street photography camera provides a fine balance of image quality and portability.
Sony WX50 Sports photography factors
A horrible sports photography rating of 44 suggests the Sony WX50 is not appropriate for taking photos of sports. A camera needs to have good tracking plus shutter speeds for sports photography.
Sony WX50 Travel photography info
Weight is extremely important in getting a travel camera. Overall, the Sony WX50 gets a above average 69 for a travel camera which makes it a good pick to take on your journeys.
Sony WX50 Landscape photography factors
For those who are planning to choose a digital camera for landscape photography, the most significant factor is going to be image quality. The Sony WX50 at it's horrible score of 38 for a landscape camera is not appropriate within the current marketplace.
Sony WX50 Vlogging features
A vlogging camera should offer a moving display, mic input and if possible IBIS. Taking all things in to account, the Sony WX50 is not appropriate for vlogging as it gets a horrible rating of 35.
Sony WX50 Alternatives
If you are trying to find alternatives to the WX50, below is a number of the top rated cameras which fall in to the category of Small Sensor Compact.
The chart below offers you a bird's eye view of the WX50 vs it's highest ranking competitors listed previously.
These are various other cameras you might check out as alternate options. To look at a complete comparison, simply click on the "compare" link.