Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230
87 Imaging
32 Features
28 Overall
30
95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Released August 2009
(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
- Introduced February 2009
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The following is a extended comparison of the Canon SX120 IS and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the W230 (12MP) is fairly close but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and W230 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SX120 IS was announced 7 months after the W230 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX120 IS grades against the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony W230
| SX120 IS | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | August 2009 | February 2009 | Newer by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Canon SX120 IS
| W230 | SX120 IS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sony W230
| SX120 IS | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very exact focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display measurements | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Identical display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Absent Touch display |
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX120 IS has got external dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Sony W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
See the Canon SX120 IS and Sony W230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SX120 IS and the W230.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and W230 is 87 and 95 respectively.
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The image underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX120 IS and W230.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony W230 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher SX120 IS will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Canon | Sony |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2009-08-19 | 2009-02-17 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 4 | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/2.8-5.8 |
| Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 4cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 1 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2500 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/500 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 285 grams (0.63 lbs) | 156 grams (0.34 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery ID | 2 x AA | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch price | $249 | $180 |