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Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
Sony W230
(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
  • Launched February 2009
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S1 (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S1 was revealed 23 months later than the W230 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the S1 scores versus the W230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony W230

 S1 W230 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009Fresher by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic S1

 W230 S1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony W230

 S1 W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 has got external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Sony W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

See the Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the S1 versus the W230.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and W230 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and W230.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of pictures although you really should take the release date of the products into consideration. The more modern S1 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography details
Sony W230 Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1
Street photography with Sony W230
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S1
Sports photography with Sony W230
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Sony W230
62
lighter than others (117 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S1
Landscape photography with Sony W230
32
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
36
focusing manually
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W230 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic socket
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 1 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 pounds) 156 gr (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 240 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $269 $180