Clicky

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
28
Overall
32

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 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
  • Released July 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX240 HS
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed July 2011
Photography Glossary

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Canon SX230 HS versus Sony W550, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

The SX230 HS was released at a similar time to the W550 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX230 HS grades vs the W550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony W550

 SX230 HS W550 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon SX230 HS

 W550 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Sony W550

 SX230 HS W550 
RevealedJuly 2011July 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX230 HS features external dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Sony W550 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX230 HS versus Sony W550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SX230 HS vs the W550.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and W550 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and W550.

To sum up, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony W550 to show extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography info
Sony W550 Portrait photography info
34
focusing manually
has face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography features
Sony W550 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W550 as a Sports photography camera
36
incredible zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W550 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition (223 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography factors
Sony W550 Landscape photography factors
41
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery pack (210 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging advice
Sony W550 Vlogging advice
34
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (223g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone port
29
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Sony W550
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2011-07-19 2011-07-24
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology BIONZ
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech 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 speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.80 m
Flash settings 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 grams (0.49 pounds) 110 grams (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 photographs -
Battery form 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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Pricing at launch $399 $119