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Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Released January 2013
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon A3500 IS and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was brought out 3 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the A3500 IS grades versus the W230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Sony W230

 A3500 IS W230 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2009Fresher by 48 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Canon A3500 IS

 W230 A3500 IS 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Sony W230

 A3500 IS W230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon A3500 IS features external measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3500 IS and Sony W230 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the A3500 IS against the W230.

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the A3500 IS and W230 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The visual here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A3500 IS and W230.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Canon A3500 IS to render extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The more recent A3500 IS provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony W230 Portrait photography factors
34
good megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than others (135 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography features
Sony W230 Sports photography features
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3500 IS
Travel photography with Sony W230
68
lighter than others (135g)
includes touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery pack (200 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3500 IS
Landscape photography with Sony W230
41
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery pack (200 shots)
no Timelapse function
36
you can focus manually
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W230 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than others (135g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon A3500 IS vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Sony W230
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 1 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $115 $180