Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810
50
WINNER
|
Sony · Compact · 18 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99
49
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99 are both fixed-lens compact cameras, but they suit different carry habits. The W810, from 2014, is a slim 97 x 56 x 21 mm body weighing 111 g. The HX99, from 2018, is a 102 x 58 x 36 mm body weighing 242 g, the thicker and heavier carry. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 14, 2014 | September 1, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 97 x 56 x 21 mm | 102 x 58 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 111 g | 242 g |
| Optics | 56/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor catching motion, the HX99 is the stronger pick. Its 10 fps maximum burst against the W810's 1 fps makes a sprinting child or a dog mid-jump much likelier to be caught sharply. Nine autofocus points give more framing flexibility than the W810's single point, and the 1/2000 second top shutter allows a shorter exposure than the W810's 1/1500 for freezing fast motion. In bright sunshine the HX99's electronic viewfinder offers eye-level framing the W810 lacks. The W810 counters with 20 MP against 18 MP for cropping distant detail. Both share a 1/2.3 inch sensor format, fixed lenses and in-body stabilisation, so handheld framing at slower shutter speeds is comfortable on either. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 18 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5152 x 3864 | 4896 x 3672 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CMOS |
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 4.55 | 6.17 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 fps045 | 10 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. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Unspecified | Bionz X |
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. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
8030200 | 8030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
8030200 | 8030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
144080 | 3044080 |
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. |
150080032000 | 200080032000 |
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. |
10300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 34/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoVideo you will keep and edit is far better served by the HX99. It records up to 4K, and its 60 fps top frame rate allows half-speed slow motion on a 30 fps timeline. XAVC S and AVCHD files suit modern editors. The W810 tops out at Standard HD with a 30 fps maximum frame rate, in MPEG4 or AVI, suiting casual clips on a phone. Holiday footage for a large television, or slow-motion sports playback, will get noticeably more from the HX99. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  4K |
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 720 | 3840 x 2160 |
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 fps | 60 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. |
MPEG4, AVI | AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 47/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesEveryday operation is quicker on the HX99, which has a 3-inch 638,400-dot touchscreen for tapping to set focus or swiping through menus. The W810's 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot screen has no touch input, so menu work relies on buttons. Both screens tilt for waist-level or overhead framing. Both carry Wi-Fi for phone transfers, but the W810 also has Bluetooth as a second link. Neither offers GPS for tagging photo locations, and neither has 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
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 | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 6384001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 13/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe HX99's NP-BX1 battery is rated for 370 shots per charge against 200 for the W810's NP-BN, a longer rating for sightseeing days. Neither charges over USB, so spare batteries are worth packing for both. Each camera has a single card slot and takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so the same cards serve either body. The W810 also supports Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, while the HX99 supports Memory Stick Duo. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-BN | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
200 shots1505000 | 370 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For nearly every photographic use here, the HX99 earns the recommendation. Its 10 fps maximum burst suits children and pets, its nine AF points aid flexible framing, and its electronic viewfinder helps in harsh midday sun. With 4K video and longer rated battery life, it is the better all-day camera.
Choose the W810 when the camera must disappear into a pocket and casual Standard HD clips suit your photography. Its 20 MP sensor gives slightly more crop room for group shots, and Bluetooth adds a second wireless link. For motion, bright light or video, buy the HX99.