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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Previous Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX10V
  • Later Model is Sony HX30V
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Canon SX230 HS versus Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was revealed 12 months before the HX20V so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX230 HS grades against the HX20V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony HX20V

 SX230 HS HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Canon SX230 HS

 HX20V SX230 HS 
ReleasedJuly 2012July 2011More recent by 12 months
Display resolution922k461kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Sony HX20V

 SX230 HS HX20V 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS features outside dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX230 HS versus Sony HX20V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX230 HS versus the HX20V.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and HX20V is 91 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and HX20V.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX20V to offer you greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The older SX230 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography factors
Sony HX20V Portrait photography factors
34
manual focus
offers face detection autofocus
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has face detect focusing
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography advice
Sony HX20V Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Sports photography camera
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition in class (223g)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
no Timelapse mode
low battery life (210 shots)
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (254g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography info
Sony HX20V Landscape photography info
41
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery life (210 shots)
no Timelapse mode
50
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging info
Sony HX20V Vlogging info
34
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Sony HX20V
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-19 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 grams (0.49 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 210 photos 320 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $399 $397