Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310: A Compact Camera with Powerful Features

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 is a sleek and compact camera that packs a powerful punch. Its 12.1-megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom, and advanced shooting modes make it a versatile choice for both amateur and professional photographers. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the key features of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 and why it's a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality camera.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 07 2010

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight137g
MSRP$129USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the Cyber-shot DSC-W310

When it comes to capturing life's moments, having a reliable camera is key. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 is a compact yet powerful camera that offers a range of advanced features to help take your photography to the next level. With its 12.1-megapixel sensor and 4x optical zoom, you can capture breathtaking photos with ease. But what makes this camera stand out? In this blog post, we'll dive into the key features of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 and explore why it's a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality camera. From its intuitive shooting modes to its sleek design, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 is a camera you won't want to miss out on. So, let's take a closer look!

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Affordable
12.1 megapixel resolution
4x optical zoom
Compact and lightweight
Easy to use
Good image quality
Image stabilization
Face detection technology
Panorama mode
Red-eye reduction

Cons

No manual control options
Limited video recording capabilities
No touchscreen display
Poor low light performance
Limited ISO range
No viewfinder
Small LCD screen
Limited lens capabilities
Mediocre battery life
No Wi-Fi connectivity

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310

Weather sealed
Dimensions95 x 55 x 19mm
Weight137g
Thickness19mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeUltracompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.70" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Cyber-shot DSC-W310 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 has a 12MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 has a native ISO range of 100 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jan 07 2010

Announced

100 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4000 x 3000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Cyber-shot DSC-W310 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Battery Life
Battery ModelNP-BN1
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 supports SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 uses the NP-BN1 model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 features a CCD sensor

Is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 weather sealed?

No the Cyber-shot DSC-W310 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 announced?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 was announced on Jan 07 2010

Does the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Cyber-shot DSC-W310 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310?

The Cyber-shot DSC-W310 has a native ISO range of 100-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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