Sony W230 vs Sony W550
95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Sony W230 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(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
- Launched February 2009
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Launched July 2011
Sony W230 vs Sony W550 Overview
In this write-up, we are analyzing the Sony W230 and Sony W550, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Ultracompact and both are produced by Sony. The image resolution of the W230 (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe W230 was revealed 3 years prior to the W550 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony W230 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the W230 matches up against the W550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Sony W230 vs Sony W550 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The full galleries are viewable at Sony W230 Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony W550
W230 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Very exact focus |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony W230
W550 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2011 | February 2009 | More recent by 29 months |
Common features in the Sony W230 and Sony W550
W230 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display size | |
Display resolution | 230k | 230k | The same display resolution | |
Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
Touch display | Lacking Touch display |
Sony W230 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony W230 enjoys external dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony W550 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Compare the Sony W230 and Sony W550 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the W230 and the W550.
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the W230 and W550 is 95 and 96 respectively.
Sony W230 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by checking specifications. The photograph here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the W230 and W550.
To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Sony W550 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The older W230 is going to be behind in sensor tech.
Sony W230 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Sony W230 vs Sony W550 Specifications
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2009-02-17 | 2011-07-24 |
Body design | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 30-120mm (4.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.8 | f/2.7-5.7 |
Macro focus range | 4cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | - | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 1 secs | 2 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.90 m | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
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 | 156 gr (0.34 lbs) | 110 gr (0.24 lbs) |
Dimensions | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
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-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | - |
Retail cost | $180 | $119 |