CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
    • All Cameras
    • Cameras by Brand
      • Sony Cameras
      • Canon Cameras
      • Nikon Cameras
      • Pentax Cameras
      • Fujifilm Cameras
      • Olympus Cameras
      • Panasonic Cameras
      • Leica Cameras
      • Samsung Cameras
    • Cameras by Body Type
      • Mirrorless Cameras
      • DSLR Cameras
      • Compact Cameras
      • Bridge Cameras
      • Waterproof Cameras
  • LENSES
    • All Lenses
    • Lenses by Mount
      • Sony E Mount Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF M Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF S Mount Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Lenses
      • Pentax KAF Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm G Mount Lenses
      • Sigma SA Mount Lenses
      • Sony Alpha Mount Lenses
    • Teleconverters
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Sony WX30 Review

  • Overview
  • Alternatives
  • Sony WX30

    Select a Camera to Compare

    x
    Add a Camera for comparison

    Main Features

    • 16MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
    • ISO 100 - 3200
    • 25-125 mm F2.6-6.3 Zoom Lens
    • Optical Image Stabilization
    • 3.00" Fixed Type Screen
    • 10.0fps continuous shooting
    • 117g. 92 x 52 x 19 mm
    CHECK PRICE
    CHECK PRICE

    Sony WX30 Overview

    Launched in July 2011 , Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 is a 16.0MP Small Sensor Compact camera with a 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor, built-in Image Stabilization and 5.0x zoom 25-125 mm F2.6-6.3 lens.

    Sony WX30 Review - Click for Table of Contents

    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Sensor and Photography Features
    4. Physical Specs
    5. LCD and Viewfinder
    6. Connectivity, Storage and Battery
    7. Video
    8. Other Features
    9. Lens
    10. Photography Type Scores
    11. Alternatives
    12. Popular Comparisons
    13. Frequently Asked Questions
    14. Detailed Specifications

    Sony WX30 is a member of Sony's Small Sensor Compact class cameras. Below you can see the latest models in this class and how their main specs have changed with each new model.

    Sony Small Sensor Compact Series History
    Model Release Date Sensor Max FPS Dimensions Weight
    Sony W800
    Compare
    2014 20.0MP - 1/2.3-inch 1.0 fps 97 x 55 x 21mm 125g
    Sony WX80
    Compare
    2013 16.0MP - 1/2.3-inch 10.0 fps 92 x 52 x 22mm 124g
    Sony W730
    Compare
    2013 16.0MP - 1/2.3-inch 1.0 fps 93 x 52 x 22mm 122g
    Sony W710
    Compare
    2013 16.0MP - 1/2.3-inch 1.0 fps 97 x 55 x 20mm 114g
    Sony WX150
    Compare
    2012 18.0MP - 1/2.3-inch 10.0 fps 95 x 56 x 22mm 133g

    Check the link below to compare specs of the latest cameras in this series side by side:
    Sony W800 vs WX80 vs W730 vs W710 vs WX150


    **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Related Blog Posts

    New Insta360 One RS 1-Inch 360-Degree Camera Shoots 6K Video and 21MP Stills
    Sony FE 100-400 E vs Canon 100-500 RF vs Nikon Z 100-400 vs Canon RF 100-400 Lens Size Comparison
    Tamron 17-70 F2.8 vs Fujifilm 16-55 F2.8 vs Fujifilm 16-80 F4 vs Fujifilm 18-55 F2.8-4 Lens Size and Specs Comparison
    Sony A1 Firmware Update Brings 8K 4:2:2 10-bit Video and Lossless Compressed Raw Stills
    Todays Deals: Samyang 12mm F2 for $399, Bolt Flashes for $49 and more
    Cameras with Stacked Sensors and No Blackout Viewfinders in 2022
    Todays Deals: Tripod, Microphone and more
    New Sony APS-C Lenses Available for Pre-Order

    Sony WX30 PROs and CONs Review

    Now let's get in to more details of our Sony WX30 review by analysing its specs and features and listing out its pros and cons compared to average competitor cameras in its class.

    PROs
    Image Stabilization
    Full HD Video
    Touch Screen
    922k dots LCD Resolution
    10.0fps Shooting w/ Mechanical Shutter
    117g Light Body
    25mm Wide Angle Lens
    Fast 2.60 Lens at Wide
    3D Shooting Capability
    Panorama Shooting
    Report a correction

    Buy Sony WX30 from AMAZON or B&H PHOTO


    CONs
    No Wireless Connection
    No Articulating Screen
    No External Flash Shoe
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No RAW Shooting
    No Face Detection Focusing
    Max Sensitivity only ISO 3.200
    Only 9 Focus Points
    1/1600s Low Max Shutter Speed
    Low Battery Life: 250 shots
    No Manual Focusing
    No Manual Exposure
    No Environmental Sealing
    Slow Lens at Tele: f6.30

    Report a correction


    Sony WX30 Physical Specs
    Sony WX30 weighs 117 g (0.26 lb / 4.13 oz) and has external dimensions of 92 x 52 x 19 mm (3.62 x 2.05 x 0.75″). Considering that the average weight of Compact type cameras is 188g, Sony WX30 is a remarkably light camera for its class. Even better, with a thickness of only 19mm, it is also quite small, 9mm thinner than the average of its class.
    Weight Comparison

    Compact Cameras

    Sony WX30
    Min
    Average
    Max
    Thickness Comparison

    Compact Cameras

    Sony WX30
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Here is the front and top view image of Sony WX30 with the dimensions:

    Sony WX30 Body Size Dimensions
    Front and Top View External Dimensions and Size of Sony WX30 Camera Body


    In order to give you a better idea about the real life size of Sony WX30, we have added an image of how it looks next to a credit card and an AA type battery.


    Sony WX30 Body Size Compared to a Credit card and a Battery
    Physical size of the Sony WX30 Body Compared to a Credit Card and an AA Battery



    Below you can find the comparison of the weight and thickness of Sony WX30 with its main competitors:

    Sony WX30 Size Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Weight vs WX30 Thickness vs WX30
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony WX50
    Compare
    117g equal weight 19mm equal thickness
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Olympus TG-5
    Compare
    250g 133g heavier 32mm 13mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony W730
    Compare
    122g 5g heavier 22mm 3mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony WX350
    Compare
    164g 47g heavier 26mm 7mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony WX5
    Compare
    146g 29g heavier 22mm 3mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Nikon D3400
    Compare
    395g 278g heavier 76mm 57mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony W800
    Compare
    125g 8g heavier 21mm 2mm thicker
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony WX70
    Compare
    114g 3g lighter 19mm equal thickness

    Weather Sealing

    Sony WX30 doesn't have any environmental sealings on its body so you got to be extra careful to protect it against water and dust. If you shoot under these conditions very often, consider checking Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing page.

    Sony WX30 Lens

    Sony WX30 features a 25-125 mm F2.6-6.3 5× zoom lens. Lens has a good wide angle capability starting at 25mm, and 125mm on the tele end means that the medium telephoto angle is also well covered, only lacking the reach for wildlife and sports.

    Wide Coverage

    Compact Cameras

    WX30
    Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS
    Average
    Telezoom

    Compact Cameras

    WX30
    Longest - Canon SX520 HS
    Average

    With a max aperture of f2.60, this lens is fast on wide end, but max aperture of f6.30 at tele end makes is really slow at longer focal lengths.

    Max Aperture at Wide

    Compact Cameras

    WX30
    Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
    Average
    Max Aperture at Tele

    Compact Cameras

    WX30
    Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
    Average

    WX30 is equipped with Optical image stabilization system which is very handy especially at lower shutter speeds.

    Sony WX30 Sensor and Photography Features

    Sony WX30 has a 16.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features BIONZ processor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 4608 x 3456 pixels with aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. WX30 has a native ISO range of 100 - 3200 but unfortunately, Sony WX30 doesn't have RAW file support. If you need a Compact camera with a RAW support, consider or in the same price range.

    Sony WX30 is not the highest resolution Small Sensor camera. GoPro Hero9 Black with its 23.0MP sensor is leading in this class. Check the comparison of Sony WX30 vs GoPro Hero9 Black or take a look at Highest resolution Compact cameras list.

    Let's look at how the size of the Sony WX30's 1/2.3-inch sensor compares with other standard sensor sizes.

    Sony WX30 Sensor Size Comparison
    Comparison image of Sony WX30 Sensor Size with other standard sensors



    Sony WX30 LCD

    Sony WX30 has a Fixed Type 3.00-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 922k dots. Both the screen size and the screen resolution is up to the standards of this class.

    LCD is Touch screen type, so you can change the settings and set the focus point with your fingertips.

    Unfortunately Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 doesn't have a Selfie friendly screen. If this feature is important for your shooting style, check here the list of Best Compact Cameras with Selfie Friendly LCD screen.


    WX30 doesn't have a viewfinder and no option for external viewfinder. Lack of a viewfinder can be problematic especially under strong light where visibility of LCD screens goes down dramatically. If you need a Compact camera with a built-in viewfinder in a similar price range, consider Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (Lumix DMC-TZ100) (Compare) or Nikon Coolpix P7800 (Compare).
    Alternatively, check here the list of all Compact cameras with viewfinder..

    Sony WX30 Connectivity, Storage and Battery

    You can connect WX30 to compatible devices via its HDMI port or USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) port.

    Sony WX30 Battery

    Sony WX30 is powered by NP-BN1 battery which provides a battery life of 250 shots according to CIPA standards. Considering that the average battery life of Compact type cameras is 256 shots, its battery life is about average in its class but it would still be wise to invest in some spare batteries for long photo trips.

    Battery Life Comparison in Small Sensor Compact Cameras

    Sony WX30
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Fujifilm X30 with its 470shots is the model with longest battery life among Small Sensor Compact cameras. Check the comparison of Sony WX30 vs Fujifilm X30 or take a look at Longest Battery Life Compact cameras list.

    Sony WX30 Features Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Max Video Battery Life Wi-fi Bluetooth NFC
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony WX50
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 240shots No No No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Olympus TG-5
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 340shots Yes No No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony W730
    Compare
    1280 x 720 240shots No No No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony WX350
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 470shots Yes No No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony WX5
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 shots No No No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Nikon D3400
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 1200shots No Yes No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony W800
    Compare
    1280 x 720 shots No No No
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Camera Sony WX70
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 240shots No No No

    Sony WX30 Video Features

    With Sony WX30, you can record your videos at a highest resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps and save in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. Full HD resolution of Sony WX30 will be adequate in most of the situations. But if you are after the highest resolution videos available, see our list of Top Cameras with 4K (Ultra-HD) Video.

    WX30 has a built-in Stereo microphone but no speaker. On the other hand, Sony WX30 doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones. If you need a Compact camera with external microphone connectivity, consider or in a similar price range.

    Also read:

    • Best Compact Cameras with Microphone Port
    • Best Compact Cameras with Headphone Port

    Sony WX30 Other Features

    Max Shutter speed

    Sony WX30 can shoot continuously at max speed of 10 fps and has max shutter speed of 1/1600 sec.

    Flash

    Unfortunately WX30 doesn't have an external flash shoe so you are limited with the built-in flash.

    Focusing

    Sony WX30 features a Contrast Detection autofocusing system. The AF system has 9 points to choose from.

    What type of Photography is Sony WX30 Good for?
    In this section, we review and score Sony WX30 in 5 different photography areas.

    Sony WX30 for Portrait Photography

    Sony WX30 has a score of 18 for Portrait Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Portrait We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Portrait Photography list and consider these alternatives over theWX30.
    Image Stabilization
    Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
    Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
    No RAW shooting capability
    No External Flash Shoe
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    Not so good Ergonomics&Handling

    Read the details of how we scored Sony WX30 for Portrait Photography

    Sony WX30 for Street Photography

    Sony WX30 has a score of 49 for Street Photography which makes it an AVERAGE candidate for this type of photography. If Street is important for you, we recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Street Photography list.
    Live-view
    Image Stabilization
    Fast Lens at Wide: f2.60
    25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
    Small Body
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No RAW shooting capability
    Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor

    Read the details of how we scored Sony WX30 for Street Photography

    Sony WX30 for Sports Photography

    Sony WX30 has a score of 18 for Sports Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Sports We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Sports Photography list and consider these alternatives over theWX30.
    Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
    Image Stabilization
    125 mm Tele Lens
    Environmental Sealings
    Slow Max shutter speed: 1/1600s
    9 Focus Points
    Poor Battery Life: 250 shots
    Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No External Flash Shoe
    Slow Lens at Tele: f6.30
    No RAW shooting capability

    Read the details of how we scored Sony WX30 for Sports Photography

    Sony WX30 for Daily Photography

    Sony WX30 has a score of 48 for Daily Photography which makes it an AVERAGE candidate for this type of photography. If Daily is important for you, we recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Daily Photography list.
    Compact Body
    117g
    Body Thickness 19mm
    5.0X Optical Zoom
    Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
    No RAW shooting capability

    Read the details of how we scored Sony WX30 for Daily Photography

    Sony WX30 for Landscape Photography

    Sony WX30 has a score of 19 for Landscape Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Landscape We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Landscape Photography list and consider these alternatives over theWX30.
    25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
    Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
    No Manual Exposure Mode
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No RAW shooting capability
    Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
    No Environmental Sealings

    Read the details of how we scored Sony WX30 for Landscape Photography
    Sony WX30 Alternatives
    In this section, we analyse how Sony WX30 compares with other Compact cameras within a similar price range.
    Read a more detailed analysis of Sony WX30 alternatives.

    Popular Comparisons of Sony WX30

    Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Sony WX30 amongst Camera Decision readers.

    Sony WX50
    Sony WX50
    Compare
    Olympus TG-5
    Olympus TG-5
    Compare
    Sony W730
    Sony W730
    Compare
    Sony WX350
    Sony WX350
    Compare
    Sony WX5
    Sony WX5
    Compare
    Nikon D3400
    Nikon D3400
    Compare
    Sony W800
    Sony W800
    Compare
    Sony WX70
    Sony WX70
    Compare

    Sony WX30 Alternatives in Cameras

    It would also be interesting to compare Sony WX30 with Cameras. Below we have listed 4 highest ranked cameras in Sony WX30's price range.

    Sony WX30 Conclusion and Scores

    Currently, Sony WX30 has an Overall Score of 36/100 which is based on our evaluation of 69 different technical parameters. Our scores are dynamically updated whenever a new camera is added to our database or when we change our ranking algorithm and the maximum score is always 100. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 is ranked #275 out of 631 in Compact cameras (Top 20 Compact), and ranked #882 out of 1244 in all Cameras (Top 20 Overall).

    #882 out of 1244 in Top Ranking Cameras
    #275 out of 631 in Top Ranking Compact Cameras
    #70 out of 262 in Top Ranking Small Sensor Compact Cameras
    #392 out of 740 in Top Ranking Small Sensor Sensor Cameras
    #42 out of 536 in Lightest Compact Cameras with Small Sensor sensor(117g)
    #543 out of 917 in Top Ranking Cameras with Fixed Type Screen

    Main Scores
    Imaging
    Features
    Value for Money
    Portability
    Overall Score
    Check our Smart Finder Tool to filter, sort and compare all digital cameras.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Sony WX30
    Does the Sony WX30 have Image Stabilization?
    Does the Sony WX30 have RAW support?
    Does the Sony WX30 have Weather Sealing?
    Does the Sony WX30 have built-in GPS?
    What is the Max ISO of Sony WX30?
    What is the Sensor Size of Sony WX30?
    is the Sony WX30 a Full Frame (FF) camera?
    Does the Sony WX30 have Touch Screen?
    Does the Sony WX30 have built-in Wireless?
    What is the Max Continuous Shooting Speed (fps) of Sony WX30?
    What is the Weight of Sony WX30?
    What are the Dimensions of Sony WX30?
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 Detailed Specifications

    General
    Brand Sony
    Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
    Announced 2011-07-25
    Body Type Compact
    Lens
    Manual Focus
    Lens Mount fixed lens
    Lens Focal Range 25-125 mm (5×)
    Max Aperture F2.6-6.3
    Macro Focus Range 5cm
    Screen
    Screen Type Fixed Type
    Screen Technology XtraFine TFT LCD display
    Screen Size 3.00"
    Screen Resolution 922k dots
    Live View
    Touch Screen
    Viewfinder
    Viewfinder None
    Viewfinder Resolution no electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Coverage n/a
    Viewfinder Magnification n/a
    Photography Features
    Min Shutter Speed 30s
    Max Mechanical Shutter Speed 1/1600s
    Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps
    Shutter Priority
    Aperture Priority
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Exposure Compensation n/a
    Custom White Balance
    Image Stabilization
    Built-in Flash
    Flash Range 3.70 m
    Flash Modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
    External Flash
    AE Bracketing
    WB Bracketing
    Exposure Modes
    Multi-Segment
    Average
    Spot
    Partial
    AF-Area
    Center Weighted
    DxO Sensor Scores
    DxO Overall Score not tested
    DxO Color Depth not tested
    DxO Dynamic Range not tested
    DxO Low Light ISO not tested
    Report a correction

    Sensor
    Sensor Type BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Size 1/2.3-inch
    Sensor Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.07mm2
    Sensor Resolution 16 megapixels
    Max Image Resolution 4608 x 3456
    Max Native ISO 3,200
    Min Native ISO 100
    RAW Support
    Autofocus
    AF Touch
    AF Continuous
    AF Single
    AF Tracking
    AF Selective
    AF Center
    AF Multi Area
    AF Live View
    AF Face Detection
    AF Contrast Detection
    AF Phase Detection
    Number of Focus Points 9
    Number of Cross Focus Points Unknown
    Video Features
    Video Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
    Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080
    Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD
    Microphone Port
    Headphone Port
    Connectivity
    Wireless Connectivity None
    HDMI
    USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    Physical
    Environmental Sealing
    Water Proof
    Dust Proof
    Shock Proof
    Crush Proof
    Freeze Proof
    Weight 117g
    Physical Dimensions 92 x 52 x 19mm
    Battery Life 250 shots
    Battery Type Battery Pack
    Battery Model NP-BN1
    Other Features
    Self Timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
    Timelapse Recording
    GPS None
    Storage Type SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
    Storage Slots 1


    FOLLOW US


    Most Popular Small Sensor Compact Cameras
    Nikon P7800
    12 MP | 1/1.7-inch Sensor| 28-200 mm
    Canon G16
    12 MP | 1/1.7-inch Sensor| 28-140 mm
    Sony W800
    20 MP | 1/2.3-inch Sensor| 26-130 mm
    Fujifilm X30
    12 MP | Sensor| 28-112 mm
    Canon S120
    12 MP | 1/1.7-inch Sensor| 24-120 mm
    Fujifilm X10
    12 MP | 2/3-inch Sensor| 28-112 mm
    Leica D-Lux 6
    10 MP | 1/1.7-inch Sensor| 24-90 mm
    Canon G12
    10 MP | 1/1.7-inch Sensor| 28-140 mm
    Latest Compact Cameras
    Sony ZV-1
    20 MP | 1″ Sensor | 24-70 mm
    Fujifilm X100V
    26 MP | APS-C Sensor | 35 mm
    Sony RX100 VII
    20 MP | 1″ Sensor | 24-200 mm
    Canon G5 X MII
    20 MP | 1″ Sensor | 24-120 mm
    Canon G7 X MIII
    20 MP | 1' Sensor | 24-100 mm
    Leica Q2
    47 MP | Full frame Sensor | 28 mm
    Leica Q2 Monochrom
    47 MP | Full frame Sensor | 28 mm
    Nikon A1000
    16 MP | 1/2.3" Sensor | 24-840 mm
    Copyright © 2022 by CameraDecision
    Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision

    Report a Correction