Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


96 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38
Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 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
- Launched July 2011
- Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
- Newer Model is Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
- 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
- Introduced February 2014

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Canon SX230 HS and Sony W800, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and W800 (20MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX230 HS was brought out 3 years before the W800 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX230 HS scores vs the W800 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX230 HS Gallery & Sony W800 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony W800
SX230 HS | W800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Canon SX230 HS
W800 | SX230 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2014 | ![]() | July 2011 | Fresher by 31 months |
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Sony W800
SX230 HS | W800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS features exterior 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 W800 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).
See the Canon SX230 HS and Sony W800 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the W800.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and W800 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing only by going over technical specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and W800.
As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony W800 to offer you extra detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The older SX230 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-07-19 | 2014-02-13 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
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 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 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 5152 x 3864 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 26-130mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.2-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | TFT LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | AVI MPEG4 |
Mic 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 223 grams (0.49 pounds) | 125 grams (0.28 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 images | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-5L | NP-BN |
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 | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $399 | $90 |