Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification



The Sony Cyber-shot WX200 is an ultra compact digital camera with a 10x optical zoom lens, an 18.2 megapixel sensor, high speed shooting and built in Wi-Fi. It is available in black or silver. 

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Features

The Sony Cyber-shot WX200 offers an 18.2 megapixel Exmor R (Backlit) CMOS sensor for high speed shooting as well as improved low light performance. A number of intelligent auto modes are built in to help acheive the best shots regardless of your camera experience, and there are a wealth of scene modes and creative options including backlighting / HDR modes, handheld night scenes, and multiple artistic creative shooting modes.

The 10x optical zoom lens features optical image stabilisation, and is the equivalent of 25 - 250mm in 35mm terms. Despite the large amount of optical zoom, the camera is extremely compact thanks in part to the relatively small 2.7inch screen on the back. This is all put into a stylish metal body that is available in black or silver. Full HD video is recorded with stereo sound and optical zoom is available while recording - you can also take photos while recording.

Built in Wi-Fi lets you control the camera with a smartphone or tablet using the Sony Playmemories app, and you can share or upload images straight to social media websites like Facebook and YouTube.

Key Features 

• 18.2 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor
• 10x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 25-250mm in 35mm terms
• Optical Steadyshot Optical image stabilisation
• 2.7inch screen
• Wi-Fi built in
• Full HD video with stereo sound
• ISO100 to 12800
• 5cm macro focus
• HDR / i-Sweep panoramic
• 10fps continuous shooting
• Available in black or silver

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Handling

Handling - The camera features a well built metal body that is surprisingly compact given the 10x optical zoom lens offered. There is little grip at the front or back but the front is textured, giving some grip, although use of the wrist strap is definitely recommended. Build quality is good with the camera feeling good in the hand, and the ultra compact size means it can easily be slipped into a pocket and forgotten about. There are a good number of buttons and controls on the back and top of the camera despite the small size and the photo / panoramic / video switch combined with the playback button make it easy to switch modes. 



Menus – The menu system is easy to navigate, press the menu button the enter the shooting options, if you want to amend the camera settings, scroll down the bottom and you'll find an option represented by a briefcase which gives access to them.

To use the Wi-Fi you need to install the free PlayMemories app on your smartphone. Pairing the devices and using the app is easy. You can transfer images and videos, as well as use the app to capture them as well. You can control the zoom and set a self-timer with the app.



Battery life - Battery life is rated at 220 shots according to Sony / CIPA test results, which is average for an ultra compact camera, although use of Wi-Fi is likely to reduce the shots possible. 



Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.

	Sony WX200	Sony RX100
Shutter Response	<0.05	0.0
Wide - Focus / Shutter Response	0.15	0.3
Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response	0.15	0.3
Switch on Time to Taking a Photo	1.9	2.2
Shot to Shot without Flash	0.8	0.9
Shot to Shot with Flash	1.5	2.1
Continuous Shooting - JPEG	10fps (10 shots)	7fps (15 shots)

Focus and shutter response are both excellent, and shot to shot time is also good, with an impressive 10fps continuous shooting mode also available. 

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Performance

Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Sample Photos

Sample Photos - The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 5cm, this allows for a decent macro shot to be taken. Colour and exposure are good with the camera providing consistent results.

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Lens test images

Lens Performance - Images have a reasonable level of detail and the lens performs well at both the wide-angle or telephoto settings, with very little signs of corner softening. Purple fringing is well controlled, as well as chromatic abberation. Fine detail is a little difficult to see in grassy areas.

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - Some noise is visible in ISO100 shots, this increases at ISO200, and again very slightly at ISO400, and at ISO800 there's a noticeable drop in detail as well as some white dots. At ISO1600 noise increases again and detail becomes soft. Noise is high at ISO3200 with very soft images. At ISO6400, and ISO12800, the camera takes a number of shots, and combines them in order to reduce noise further - these images have very low levels of detail.

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs well under tungsten lighting, with the tungsten preset giving a slightly warmer result. AWB performs very well under fluorescent lighting, and for most shots the fluorescent presets are best avoided due to a strong colour cast. 


1/1000 sec | f/3.3 | 4.5 mm | ISO 100
Panorama mode - The camera has an automatic panoramic mode, where you simply press and hold the shutter release button and pan the camera, and the camera automatically stitches the images together. Images are reasonably good, although there is some ghosting with movement in the scene.

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Digital filters

Digital Filters - The camera has a number of creative effects, as shown above, including HDR painting, Rich Tone Monochrome, as well as scene modes to help expand dynamic range.  

Video - Video quality is good with the camera offering full HD video with stereo sound, in addition optical zoom is available. Another video is available on ePHOTOzine's YouTube channel.

Value For Money

The Sony Cyber-shot WX200 is available for around £200. Alternative compact cameras with a good amount of optical zoom include the Canon IXUS 140 HS with 8x optical zoom lens and Wi-Fi, IXUS 255 HS with 10x optical zoom and Wi-Fi, or the Sony Cyber-shot WX60 with 8x optical zoom lens, but without Wi-Fi. The Samsung WB30F and Panasonic Lumix SZ9, both feature a 10x optical zoom lens and Wi-Fi. If you don't need Wi-Fi then the previous model, the Sony Cyber-shot WX100 offers good value for money.

You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Verdict

The Sony Cyber-shot WX200 delivers bright colourful photos, with good exposure and reasonable levels of detail. Rather more impressive is that the camera packs a wide-angle 10x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilisation in a metal body not much larger than your typical 5-6x zoom camera (and more compact than many modern smartphones), making this camera extremely pocketable and versatile.

High speed shooting at 10fps, rapid performance, full HD video with stereo sound, Wi-Fi and good ease of use, make this a well rounded camera, which would be ideal for the casual snapper who wants to be able to quickly share photos. Although the price does put this compact camera at the more expensive end of the market, if you are looking for an ultra sleek camera with a lot of zoom and Wi-Fi then this delivers. 

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Pros

10fps continuous shooting
10x optical zoom lens in an ultra compact body
Optical Image Stabilisation
Responsive
Easy to Use
Built in Wi-Fi

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Cons

Only a 2.7inch screen - helps keep camera small
Detail low for an 18mp camera
Short Battery Life
Noise performance
Little grip
Price

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

Sony Cyber-shot WX200 Specifications

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