CameraReview

Nikon Coolpix A10 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 — Which Is Better?

Nikon Coolpix A10 versus Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810
Side by side47 specifications
Nikon · Compact · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video Nikon Coolpix A10
47
SCORE
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810
50
WINNER
Nikon Coolpix A10
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810
General
Read the General Comparison

General

The Nikon Coolpix A10 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 are fixed-lens compacts built for simple point-and-shoot photography. The W810 is the lighter, slimmer carry at 111 g and 21 mm deep, against 160 g and 29 mm for the A10, a 2016 model to the Sony's 2014 launch. That slimmer body is the easier fit for a shirt pocket or a small bag.

Released
ⓘ
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
20162014
Announcement date
ⓘ
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
January 14, 2016January 14, 2014
Camera type CompactCompact
Camera size 96 x 59 x 29 mm97 x 56 x 21 mm
Camera weight 160 g111 g
Optics49/10056/100
Read the Optics Comparison

Optics

The Sony is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 20 MP against the Nikon's 16 MP when a distant subject fills only part of the frame. The A10 answers with a faster top shutter of 1/2000 second against the Sony's 1/1500, a shorter exposure for bright beach or snow scenes. The W810 also offers a higher maximum ISO setting of 3200 against 1600.

Several core optics specs match: each camera uses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with a fixed lens, a single autofocus point and image stabilisation. Handheld shots in dim rooms therefore get stabilisation support on either body, and both start at ISO 80 in good light.

Megapixels
ⓘ
The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture.
16 MP05020 MP050
Image resolution
ⓘ
Image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution.
4608 x 34565152 x 3864
Sensor type
ⓘ
The camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality.
CCDCCD
Sensor size
ⓘ
The sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture.
6.17 x 4.556.17 x 4.55
Sensor format
ⓘ
Refers to the most commonly used sensor sizes.
1/2.3”1/2.3”
Continuous shooting
ⓘ
The number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode.
1.2 fps0451 fps045
Lens mount
ⓘ
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
FixedFixed
Image processor
ⓘ
The image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card.
UnspecifiedUnspecified
Aspect ratio
ⓘ
The aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3.
4:34:3
Min ISO
ⓘ
Refers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image.
80302008030200
Max ISO
ⓘ
Refers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise.
1600300328000032003003280000
Min ISO (expanded)
ⓘ
Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary.
80302008030200
Max ISO (expanded)
ⓘ
Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary.
1600300328000032003003280000
Minimum shutter speed
ⓘ
The minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory.
444080144080
Max shutter speed
ⓘ
The maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries.
200080032000150080032000
Autofocus points
ⓘ
Autofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings.
1030010300
In-body stabilisation
ⓘ
In-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake.
YesYes
Viewfinder type
ⓘ
The viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens.
NoneNone
Viewfinder dots N/AN/A
Video34/10034/100
Read the Video Comparison

Video

Casual video is a shared strength. The maximum recording resolution is Standard HD on both cameras, and each supports video at up to 30 frames per second. The split that matters for editing is file format: the A10 produces MOV files, while the W810 produces MPEG4 or AVI, which is worth checking against your editing software. Neither camera offers a built-in timelapse mode.

Video
ⓘ
Indicates if this camera is capable of recording video.
YesYes
Max video resolution
ⓘ
The best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video.
Standard HDStandard HD
Max video format
ⓘ
Video resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video.
1280 x 7201280 x 720
Max video frame rate
ⓘ
How many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect.
30 fps30 fps
Timelapse built in
ⓘ
A built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video.
✗✗
Video file format
ⓘ
Different cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files.
MOVMPEG4, AVI
Features47/10047/100
Read the Features Comparison

Features

The screens take different approaches to framing. The W810's display flips, which helps for waist-level shots or turning the camera on yourself for group pictures. The A10's screen is touch-sensitive, so you can tap through menus and settings instead of working buttons alone.

Screen and connectivity specs otherwise match: both have 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot displays with live view, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for sending photos to a phone. Both include a built-in flash, and neither includes GPS or weather sealing.

Builtin flash
ⓘ
A built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it.
YesYes
External flash
ⓘ
External flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera.
✗✗
GPS
ⓘ
GPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs.
✗✗
Weather sealing
ⓘ
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
✗✗
Screen type LCDTFT LCD
Touch screen
ⓘ
Touchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons.
YesNo
Screen size 2.7"2.7"
Screen dots
ⓘ
Screen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel.
23000011500015000002300001150001500000
Flip screen
ⓘ
A flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles.
NoYes
Live view
ⓘ
Live View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens.
YesYes
Wi-Fi
ⓘ
Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly.
YesYes
Bluetooth
ⓘ
Bluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices.
YesYes
Storage & battery24/10013/100
Read the Storage & battery Comparison

Storage and Battery

The A10 is the stronger choice for a full day away from a charger: it runs on two AA batteries and is rated for 400 shots, against 200 shots for the W810's NP-BN pack. Standard AA spares give it a simple top-up without a dedicated charger, which suits travel.

Storage differs in one respect: the Sony accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo cards alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC, while the Nikon takes SD-family cards only. Neither camera has a second card slot or USB charging.

Memory card SD / SDHC / SDXCSD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo
Dual memory card slots ✗✗
Battery type 2 x AA batteriesNP-BN
Battery life
ⓘ
Approximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take.
400 shots1505000200 shots1505000
USB charging ✗✗
Read: Verdict

Verdict

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 if pocket size and cropping room matter most: it is the lighter, slimmer body, and its 20 MP sensor leaves more pixels for tight crops of distant subjects. Choose the Coolpix A10 if you shoot all day, since its 400-shot AA battery rating, 1/2000 second shutter and touchscreen controls suit a travel camera you can top up with standard AA spares. If you mainly take quick snapshots and phone transfers, both cameras cover that with Standard HD video, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

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