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Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Introduced March 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX270 HS
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SX280 HS versus Sony W230, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was unveiled 4 years later than the W230 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX280 HS scores versus the W230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Sony W230

 SX280 HS W230 
LaunchedMarch 2013February 2009Fresher by 50 months
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Canon SX280 HS

 W230 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Sony W230

 SX280 HS W230 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX280 HS has exterior dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX280 HS versus Sony W230 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX280 HS against the W230.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and W230 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX280 HS and W230.

To sum up, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photos although you have to take the production date of the products into consideration. The fresher SX280 HS should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography details
Sony W230 Portrait photography details
34
focusing manually
features face detection autofocus
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography information
Sony W230 Street photography information
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery pack (210 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery pack (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
36
has manual focus
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W230 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Sony W230
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-03-21 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 6 -
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 233g (0.51 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $325 $180