Canon SX720 HS vs Sony W230
89 Imaging
45 Features
51 Overall
47
95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Canon SX720 HS vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
- 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
- Introduced February 2016
- Previous Model is Canon SX710 HS
- Successor is Canon SX730 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Introduced February 2009
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Below, we will be analyzing the Canon SX720 HS vs Sony W230, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and W230 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").
Photography GlossaryThe SX720 HS was released 7 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SX720 HS matches up against the W230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX720 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX720 HS Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Sony W230
| SX720 HS | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2016 | February 2009 | Fresher by 86 months | |
| Screen resolution | 922k | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Canon SX720 HS
| W230 | SX720 HS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Sony W230
| SX720 HS | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical screen size | |
| Selfie screen | Neither features selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | No Touch screen |
Canon SX720 HS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX720 HS enjoys outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX720 HS vs Sony W230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SX720 HS compared to the W230.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX720 HS and W230 is 89 and 95 respectively.
Canon SX720 HS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX720 HS and W230.
As you can tell, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Canon SX720 HS to result in more detail as a result of its extra 8.3MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger SX720 HS should have an edge in sensor innovation.
Canon SX720 HS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX720 HS vs Sony W230 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX720 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX720 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2016-02-18 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor 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 | 20.3MP | 12MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 24-960mm (40.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.3-6.9 | f/2.8-5.8 |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | 4cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 922 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 1s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 5.9fps | 2.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.00 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 270g (0.60 lb) | 156g (0.34 lb) |
| Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") | 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 | 250 pictures | - |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | NB-13L | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at launch | $379 | $180 |