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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX240 HS
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and WX50 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was unveiled 6 months before the WX50 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX230 HS scores versus the WX50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony WX50

 SX230 HS WX50 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Canon SX230 HS

 WX50 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Sony WX50

 SX230 HS WX50 
IntroducedJuly 2011January 2012Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution461k461kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys physical measurements 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 WX50 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX230 HS against the WX50.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX230 HS and WX50 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by researching a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and WX50.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony WX50 to render more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography advice
Sony WX50 Portrait photography advice
34
has manual focus
has face detection focusing
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography advice
Sony WX50 Sports photography advice
36
incredible zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (210 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
44
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography factors
Sony WX50 Travel photography factors
61
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (210 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than average (117 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX230 HS
Landscape photography with Sony WX50
41
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery pack (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
38
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging features
Sony WX50 Vlogging features
34
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
35
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone jack
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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Sony WX50
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-19 2012-01-30
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 gr (0.49 pounds) 117 gr (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
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 photographs 240 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack 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
Type of storage 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
Cost at launch $399 $250