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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 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
  • Launched July 2011
  • Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX240 HS
Sony W800
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony W800

 SX230 HS W800 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Canon SX230 HS

 W800 SX230 HS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014July 2011Fresher by 31 months

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Sony W800

 SX230 HS W800 
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX230 HS
Portrait photography with Sony W800
34
focusing manually
comes with face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
38
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography information
Sony W800 Street photography information
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
Sports photography with Sony W800
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography advice
Sony W800 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than competition (223 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long reach (392mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (210 shots)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
70
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography information
Sony W800 Landscape photography information
41
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
41
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W800 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone support
33
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Sony W800
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSSony 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