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Sony HX1 vs Sony W230

Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Introduced April 2009
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
  • Released February 2009
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Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Sony HX1 and Sony W230, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the HX1 (9MP) and W230 (12MP) and the HX1 (1/2.4") and W230 (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The HX1 was launched 3 months after the W230 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the HX1 scores against the W230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony W230

 HX1 W230 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony HX1

 W230 HX1 

Common features in the Sony HX1 and Sony W230

 HX1 W230 
ReleasedApril 2009February 2009Same generation
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX1 has got external dimensions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Analyze the Sony HX1 and Sony W230 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the HX1 versus the W230.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HX1 and W230 is 67 and 95 respectively.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes just by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the HX1 and W230.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The HX1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony W230 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W230 Portrait photography highlights
27
you can focus manually
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
27
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX1 Street photography info
Sony W230 Street photography info
50
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (544 grams)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX1 Sports photography info
Sony W230 Sports photography info
36
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution low (9MP)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
48
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (544g)
sensor resolution low (9MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX1
Landscape photography with Sony W230
39
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
36
focusing manually
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX1 Vlogging highlights
Sony W230 Vlogging highlights
22
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1440 x 1080 pixels)
missing mic support
heavier than competitors in class (544 grams)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
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Sony HX1 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX1 and Sony W230
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-04-22 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.4" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.104 x 4.578mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 9 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3456 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 1 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.20 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1440x1080 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 544 grams (1.20 lb) 156 grams (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") 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 model NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $47,999 $180