Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The full galleries are available at Canon SX280 HS Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Sony W230
SX280 HS | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 50 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W230 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Sony 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 |