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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 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
  • Replaced the Canon SX210 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX240 HS
Sony W530
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 113g - 93 x 53 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Canon SX230 HS versus Sony W530, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the W530 (14MP) is very close and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was introduced 7 months after the W530 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony W530 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX230 HS matches up versus the W530 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony W530

 SX230 HS W530 
IntroducedJuly 2011January 2011More modern by 7 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W530 over the Canon SX230 HS

 W530 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Sony W530

 SX230 HS W530 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX230 HS comes with outer dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony W530 has sizing of 93mm x 53mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX230 HS versus Sony W530 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the W530.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and W530 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and W530.

As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony W530 to result in greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The more recent SX230 HS provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX230 HS
Portrait photography with Sony W530
34
manual focus
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography info
Sony W530 Street photography info
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (223 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
48
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography advice
Sony W530 Sports photography advice
36
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (210 per charge)
no phase detect AF
26
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography information
Sony W530 Travel photography information
61
lighter than others (223g)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery life (210 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W530 as a Landscape photography camera
41
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery life (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
33
pretty wide (26mm)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W530 as a Vlogging camera
34
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (223g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
26
pretty wide (26mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W530 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Sony W530
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-07-19 2011-01-06
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223g (0.49 lb) 113g (0.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 93 x 53 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-5L NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $269