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Sony HX300 vs Sony W230

Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Replaced the Sony HX200V
  • Successor is Sony HX400V
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Sony HX300 vs Sony W230, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are produced by Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the HX300 (20MP) and W230 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The HX300 was announced 4 years later than the W230 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the HX300 scores versus the W230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Sony W230

 HX300 W230 
IntroducedFebruary 2013February 2009Fresher by 49 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony HX300

 W230 HX300 

Common features in the Sony HX300 and Sony W230

 HX300 W230 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX300 comes with physical measurements of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the HX300 vs the W230.

Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HX300 and W230 is 63 and 95 respectively.

Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the HX300 and W230.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Sony HX300 to give extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The newer HX300 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX300 Portrait photography advice
Sony W230 Portrait photography advice
42
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony HX300 Street photography advice
Sony W230 Street photography advice
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than others (623g)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX300 Sports photography advice
Sony W230 Sports photography advice
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
features tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX300 Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
54
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (623g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX300 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
48
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
36
has manual focus
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX300 Vlogging info
Sony W230 Vlogging info
25
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
heavier than others (623g)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
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Sony HX300 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX300 and Sony W230
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-02-20 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
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 24-1200mm (50.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.3 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range - 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 623g (1.37 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") 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
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $339 $180