• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony WX500 advantages over Sony RX100 VA

  • Less expensive
    $348 vs $998
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Sony WX500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.9 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    233 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony WX500

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Sony WX500
Panasonic ZS40
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic ZS40
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony HX90V

Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 VA
Sony HX90V
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony HX80

Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 VA
Sony HX80
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Sony WX500
Sony RX100 V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 V
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $998
  • 1 inch

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Sony WX500
Sony ZV-1
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX100 VA
Sony ZV-1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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