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Sony HX5 vs Sony W230

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Sony HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Revealed June 2010
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 HX5 vs Sony W230 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Sony HX5 and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are created by Sony. The resolution of the HX5 (10MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty similar but the HX5 (1/2.4") and W230 (1/2.3") come with different sensor size.

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The HX5 was unveiled 17 months after the W230 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the HX5 scores against the W230 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Sony W230

 HX5 W230 
IntroducedJune 2010February 2009More modern by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony HX5

 W230 HX5 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Sony HX5 and Sony W230

 HX5 W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Sony HX5 has external measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Sony HX5 and Sony W230 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the HX5 against the W230.

Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the HX5 and W230 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes just by going over specifications. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the HX5 and W230.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The HX5 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony W230 will deliver extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent HX5 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony HX5 as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW files
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX5 Sports photography details
Sony W230 Sports photography details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
60
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX5 Landscape photography factors
Sony W230 Landscape photography factors
37
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
37
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX5 Vlogging information
Sony W230 Vlogging information
31
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Sony HX5 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX5 and Sony W230
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-06-16 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.4" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.104 x 4.578mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3456 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
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 25-250mm (10.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.80 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro 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
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 200 grams (0.44 lb) 156 grams (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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 model NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $275 $180