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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230

Portability
87
Imaging
32
Features
28
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(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
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Overview

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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony W230

 SX120 IS W230 
IntroducedAugust 2009February 2009Newer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and W230 is 87 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography highlights
Sony W230 Portrait photography highlights
32
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography details
Sony W230 Street photography details
51
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competitors (285g)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX120 IS
Sports photography with Sony W230
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography info
Sony W230 Travel photography info
51
flash built-in
very long reach (360mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (285 grams)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
36
focusing manually
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
36
focusing manually
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging info
Sony W230 Vlogging info
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (285g)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone support
Photography Glossary

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Sony W230
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISSony 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