Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38
96 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(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
(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 CameraThe 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 Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX230 HS Gallery and Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony W550
| SX230 HS | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial accurate focusing | |||
| Display resolution | 461k | 230k | Clearer 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | July 2011 | July 2011 | Same generation | |
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display size | 3" | 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.
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.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and W550 is 91 and 96 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W550 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Sony 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 |