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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 front
Portability
62
Imaging
44
Features
41
Overall
42

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
Sony H400
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-1550mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 628g - 130 x 95 x 122mm
  • Announced February 2014
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and H400 (20MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was announced 3 years before the H400 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony H400 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the SX230 HS grades versus the H400 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony H400

 SX230 HS H400 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H400 over the Canon SX230 HS

 H400 SX230 HS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014July 2011More recent by 31 months

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Sony H400

 SX230 HS H400 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX230 HS offers exterior dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony H400 has proportions of 130mm x 95mm x 122mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.8") and a weight of 628 grams (1.38 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SX230 HS vs the H400.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and H400 is 91 and 62 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and H400.

As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony H400 to deliver extra detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The older SX230 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography information
Sony H400 Portrait photography information
34
has manual focus
comes with face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
39
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography highlights
Sony H400 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors (628 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography advice
Sony H400 Sports photography advice
36
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
50
incredible zoom range (25-1550mm 62.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography info
Sony H400 Travel photography info
61
lighter than competition in class (223g)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
long zoom (392mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (210 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
53
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (1550mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (628g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX230 HS
Landscape photography with Sony H400
41
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony H400 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
26
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
does have microphone support
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competitors (628 grams)
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony H400 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Sony H400
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-H400
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-19 2014-02-13
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Bionz(R)
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 25-1550mm (62.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 201k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 8.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 X 720
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223g (0.49 lb) 628g (1.38 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 130 x 95 x 122mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life 210 photographs 300 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (Off, 10 sec, 2 sec, portrait1, portrait2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $399 $268