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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S30 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-S30SonyCyber-shot DSC-WX500
Overview
Released20002015
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.7-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDExmor R CMOS
Effective resolution1.25 MP18.2 MP
Largest image1472 × 11044896 × 3672
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range–80–3200
Sensor detailOptical 1/2.7-type Super HAD colour CCD, approximately 1.30 million total / 1.25 million effective photosites in exact Sony announcement. Normal 1280×960 output contains approximately 1.23 million image pixels; maximum 1472×1104 1.6-megapixel mode is interpolated, not native sensor resolution. Optical format is not physical dimensions1/2.3-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS; approximately 18.2 million effective and 21.1 million total photosites. Optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formatsJPEG, uncompressed TIFF plus simultaneous JPEG, or black-and-white GIF Text mode. Standard 1280×960, 1280×848 (3:2), 1024×768 or 640×480; maximum 1472×1104 uses Sony interpolation. Email mode adds a 320×240 JPEG. TIFF uses 1280×960 except 3:2 setting, even when JPEG is selected at interpolated 1472×1104. No RAW; supplied 4 MB Memory Stick cannot hold a TIFF, approximately three TIFF/JPEG pairs on 16 MBJPEG with Fine or Standard compression; maximum 4896 × 3672 in 4:3, 4896 × 3264 in 3:2, 4896 × 2752 in 16:9 or 3664 × 3664 in 1:1. Sweep Panorama standard, wide or 360-degree up to 11520 × 1080
ISO detail–Single-exposure settings ISO 80–3200, Auto ISO 80–3200. Multi Frame NR extends to ISO 6400/12800 through processed overlaid burst exposures
Image processor–BIONZ X
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens39–117 mm equivalent24–720 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–2.9f/3.5–6.4
Optical zoom3×30×
StabilisationNoneOptical lens stabilisation
Lens detailSony 3× zoom, physical 6.1–18.3 mm F2.8–2.9; 35 mm equivalent 39–117 mm. Normal autofocus approximately 25 cm wide / 60 cm telephoto, macro approximately 3 cm wide / 60 cm telephoto. Digitally processed zoom extends total range to 6×, not an additional 6× optical rangeZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* thirty-times optical zoom, eleven elements in ten groups including five aspherical elements; five-blade iris, actual 4.1–123 mm. Equivalent 24–720 mm in 4:3, 25–750 mm in 3:2, 26.5–795 mm in 16:9 or 27.5–825 mm in 1:1. Movie 16:9 Standard 26.5–795 mm, Active 28–1180 mm, Intelligent Active 31–1210 mm; 4:3 Standard 32.5–975 mm, Active 34.5–1450 mm, Intelligent Active 38–1480 mm
AutofocusAutofocus and macro autofocus, plus approximate preset manual distances 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m, 7 m and infinity. Half-press locks autofocus and automatic exposureContrast-detection AF-S; AF-C only in Advanced Sports and movie modes. Nine-point Wide, centre, Flexible Spot S/M/L and Expand Flexible Spot, with Lock-on AF; approximately 5 cm minimum focus wide or 250 cm telephoto
ShutterSony exact announcement: Auto 1/30–1/725 second; shutter priority 8–1/725 second. Shared exact operating instruction confirms still shutter-priority rangeIntelligent Auto 4–1/2000 second; Program Auto 1–1/2000 second; aperture priority 8–1/2000 second; shutter priority and manual 30–1/2000 second
Burst detail–Maximum approximately 10 fps at full resolution for ten frames; this is a brief buffered burst rather than sustained continuous shooting. Some modes prevent burst shooting, and flash reduces its speed
Stabilisation detailNo optical lens or sensor-shift stabilisation. Orientation sensor changes vertical-image playback, not camera-shake correctionOptical SteadyShot for photographs. Intelligent Active movie mode combines optical and electronic compensation, including rotation correction; Sony’s five-axis launch claim applies to movies and includes electronic correction
FlashBuilt-in flash, recommended range 0.3–2.5 m, Auto/red-eye Auto/forced on/off with High/Normal/Low flash level. No external flash terminal; S70 external-flash feature does not applyBuilt-in manually raised pop-up flash, Auto, forced, slow-sync, rear-sync or off; ISO Auto range approximately 0.3–5.4 m wide or 2.5–3 m telephoto
Exposure controlsAutomatic exposure plus seven Program AE modes: aperture priority, shutter priority, twilight, twilight plus, landscape, panfocus and spot metering. Aperture-priority selection across nine steps F2.8–F11 with telephoto restrictions; shutter priority across 18 steps 8–1/725 second. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps. Auto/Indoor/Outdoor/Hold white balance; five sharpness levels; solarise, monochrome, sepia and negative-art effects. ISO control not published in exact instructionIntelligent Auto, Superior Auto, Program Auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, Memory Recall 1/2/3, scenes, panorama and automatic/scene movie modes. ±3 EV in 1/3 EV steps; wide-angle F3.5–F8 in aperture priority or manual. Thirteen still-image Picture Effects
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneNone
Screen size2″3″
Screen dots123,200921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailFree-angle 2-inch TFT, 123,200 component dots (560×220); dots are not image pixels. Screen rotates for face-to-face self-portraits and high/low-angle shooting, with normal/bright backlight. No touchscreen or separate optical/electronic eyepiece3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 921600 dots, manual five-step brightness; tilts upward approximately 180 degrees for self-portraits. No touchscreen or viewfinder
Video
Highest video resolution–1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailNo movie recording, microphone, speaker or Voice mode on DSC-S30 per exact shared operating instruction. S50 MPEG-1 and audio features explicitly excluded. Standard-definition VIDEO OUT can show still photographs on a TV; it does not establish movie recordingMaximum 1920 × 1080 progressive at 60p NTSC or 50p PAL. XAVC S up to 50 Mbps; AVCHD up to 28 Mbps and MP4 up to 28 Mbps. Japan also lists 1080p30/p24 XAVC S, interlaced AVCHD and 720p30 MP4; regional frame rates differ and PAL/NTSC can be switched. XAVC S requires a Class 10 or faster SDXC card. Approximately 29-minute clip limit; MP4 28M reaches its 4 GB limit in approximately 20 minutes. Optical zoom works during recording; 4K output is still photographs only
Audio–Built-in stereo microphone and mono speaker; XAVC S LPCM two-channel, AVCHD Dolby Digital two-channel or MP4 AAC-LC two-channel audio
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)–400 photographs
Body weight–209 g
Release detailConservative actual-sale year 2000 supported by J&R Computer World current DSC-S30 retail offer in Macworld October 2000, PDF page 156, price valid until 15 October 2000. Maker 2 February 2000 announcement planned Japanese sale on 25 April, which does not independently prove actual first-sale day/month. No exact official predecessor relationship inferredReleased in 2015. Sony’s 7 May Hong Kong announcement scheduled mid-June launch after a pre-order period; the prospective date does not establish the actual first on-sale day or month
Recording mediaFull-size Memory Stick, supplied 4 MB. No SD slot. Approximately five interpolated 1472×1104 JPEGs or six 1280×960 JPEGs on supplied card in maker guide. No internal image storage publishedSD, SDHC and SDXC with UHS-I support, microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC with adapters, Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and Memory Stick Micro with an adapter
PortsUSB digital I/O, video-only VIDEO OUT minijack with NTSC/PAL selection, and DC IN for AC-L10 adapter. No microphone, speaker, audio output, HDMI or external-flash terminal. Shared manual A/V audio connector applies only to DSC-S50Multi/micro-USB terminal with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed; micro-HDMI output
Wireless connections–Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC Forum Type 3 Tag for one-touch pairing; smartphone transfer/remote control, TV viewing and computer transfer with compatible software. PlayMemories Camera Apps support and Eye-Fi; no GPS
Battery life detailNP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM rechargeable lithium-ion pack, nominal 7.2 V, 1180 mAh / 8.5 Wh. Exact pre-CIPA instruction claims approximately 3000 VGA photographs / 150 minutes at 25°C, normal LCD, fully charged battery and about five-second recording intervals while replacing Memory Sticks; normally charged pack 2800 / 140 minutes. This rapid single-frame test is not CIPA or a continuous burst, so no unqualified shot headline. Separate playback 4400 images / 220 minutes is not still-shooting endurance; no movie runtime on S30Supplied NP-BX1; approximately 400 photographs or 200 minutes under CIPA conditions, approximately 75 minutes actual movie use or 110 minutes continuous movie use, distinct from per-clip limits
ChargingIn-camera charging with supplied AC-L10 adapter through DC IN, camera switched off. Approximately 90 minutes normal charge or 150 minutes full charge for completely discharged NP-FM50. No USB charging claimedIn-camera USB charging and external USB power with supplied AC adapter and battery fitted
DimensionsExact shared operating instruction maximum dimensions 113×68×69 mm width×height×depth. Early Japanese announcement gives 113.1×67.8×68.8 mm excluding maximum projections101.6 × 58.1 × 35.5 mm (width × height × depth), CIPA compliant
Weight detailExact shared operating instruction approximately 370 g including NP-FM50, Memory Stick, wrist strap and lens cap. Early Japanese release shared S50/S30 table prints 315.6 g body / 423 g loaded, conflicting with later loaded instruction weight; optional body-only headline omitted rather than subtract guessed accessory weightsApproximately 209 g body-only; approximately 236 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
Colours–Black, white or red; regional choices differ
In the boxNP-FM50 battery, AC-L10 AC adapter and power cord, USB cable, video-only cable, lens cap and cap strap, wrist strap, 4 MB Memory Stick, CD-ROM/software and operating instructions. Shared manual S50 A/V cable is separateNP-BX1, AC-UB10C/UB10D, micro-USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; regional contents differ

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