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Sony HX30V vs Sony W230

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Old Model is Sony HX20V
  • Successor is Sony HX50V
Sony W230
(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
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Sony HX30V vs Sony W230, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are offered by Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the HX30V (18MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The HX30V was manufactured 3 years later than the W230 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the HX30V grades versus the W230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony W230

 HX30V W230 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2009Fresher by 37 months
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony HX30V

 W230 HX30V 

Common features in the Sony HX30V and Sony W230

 HX30V W230 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony HX30V provides outside dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) while the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony HX30V 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 vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the HX30V and the W230.

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the HX30V and W230 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HX30V and W230.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony HX30V to offer more detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern HX30V is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX30V Portrait photography information
Sony W230 Portrait photography information
45
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
features face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX30V Street photography highlights
Sony W230 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX30V Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than others in class (254g)
megapixel count good (18MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX30V Landscape photography highlights
Sony W230 Landscape photography highlights
50
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
37
you can focus manually
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX30V Vlogging details
Sony W230 Vlogging details
34
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have microphone port
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic support
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Sony HX30V vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX30V and Sony W230
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30VSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-28 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 254g (0.56 lbs) 156g (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 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 320 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $420 $180