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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W5 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-W5SonyCyber-shot DSC-WX500
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20052015
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/1.8-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDExmor R CMOS
Effective resolution5.1 MP18.2 MP
Largest image2592 × 19444896 × 3672
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–40080–3200
Sensor detail1/1.8-type primary-colour CCD; original Japanese maker sheet gives 5.3 million total and 5.1 million effective photosites1/2.3-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 Fine or Standard; native 2592 × 1944 or 2592 × 1728 in 3:2 mode; no RAW recordingJPEG 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 processorReal Imaging ProcessorBIONZ X
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens38–114 mm equivalent24–720 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–5.2f/3.5–6.4
Optical zoom3×30×
Stabilisation–Optical lens stabilisation
Lens detailCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar; actual 7.9–23.7 mm; optional VAD-WA adaptor supports conversion lenses and filtersZEISS 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
AutofocusMulti-point or centre AF with illuminator; normal range from 0.5 m, macro from 0.06 m wide or 0.3 m telephoto; five preset focus distancesContrast-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
ShutterAutomatic 1/8–1/2000 second; Program 1–1/2000 second; Manual 30–1/1000 secondIntelligent 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 detailMaker specifies up to nine full-resolution frames at approximately 0.7-second intervals; Multi Burst captures 16 small images into a composite and is a separate modeMaximum 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 detail–Optical 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 automatic, forced, off or slow-sync flash with red-eye reduction; UK maker reach 0.2–4.5 m wide or 0.3–2.5 m telephoto; no hot shoeBuilt-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, program and manual exposure; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; seven scenes including Snow; multi-pattern, centre-weighted or spot metering; histogramIntelligent 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
Video
Highest video resolution640 × 480 at 30 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailMPEG-1 with mono sound; VGA Fine 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO and cannot use internal memory; Standard VGA approximately 16.6 fps and video-mail 160 × 112 approximately 8.3 fpsMaximum 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
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalNone
Screen size2.5″3″
Screen dots115,000921,600
Touchscreen–No
Tilting screen–Yes
Display detail2.5-inch TFT with 115,000 dots in both original Japanese maker sheet and current UK support; optical real-image finder3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 921600 dots, manual five-step brightness; tilts upward approximately 180 degrees for self-portraits. No touchscreen or viewfinder
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
BluetoothNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)420 photographs400 photographs
Body weight197 g209 g
Release detailOriginal Japanese launch sheet gives 11 March 2005 first saleReleased 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 media32 MB internal memory; full-size Memory Stick or Memory Stick PRO slot, with Duo variants using an adaptor; internal memory is used with the card removedSD, 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 2.0 Hi-Speed mini-B, mono composite AV output and PictBridge direct printingMulti/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 detailTwo supplied NH-AA-DA NiMH cells; maker CIPA claim 420 photographs or 210 minutes; original Japanese launch sheet separately gives 80 photographs with optional AA alkaline cellsSupplied 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
ChargingSupplied BC-CS2 external NiMH chargerIn-camera USB charging and external USB power with supplied AC adapter and battery fitted
Dimensions91 × 60 × 37.1 mm (width × height × depth)101.6 × 58.1 × 35.5 mm (width × height × depth), CIPA compliant
Weight detailApproximately 197 g camera only; 253 g including battery, card and strap in original maker tableApproximately 209 g body-only; approximately 236 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
ColoursSilver or black; colour editions share this entryBlack, white or red; regional choices differ
In the boxTwo NH-AA-DA rechargeable cells with case, BC-CS2 charger and power cord, AV cable, USB cable, wrist strap and software CDNP-BX1, AC-UB10C/UB10D, micro-USB cable, wrist strap and instructions; regional contents differ

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