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Sony W230 vs Sony W650

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Sony W230 vs Sony W650 Key Specs

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
  • Launched February 2009
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Sony W230 vs Sony W650 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Sony W230 and Sony W650, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both manufactured by Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the W230 (12MP) and W650 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The W230 was released 3 years earlier than the W650 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the W230 scores against the W650 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony W650

 W230 W650 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Sony W230

 W650 W230 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2009More recent by 35 months

Common features in the Sony W230 and Sony W650

 W230 W650 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Sony W230 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Sony W230 offers outer dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony W650 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Contrast the Sony W230 and Sony W650 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the W230 vs the W650.

Sony W230 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W230 and W650 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Sony W230 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Sony W230 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the W230 and W650.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Sony W650 to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older W230 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony W230 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Sony W230 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W230 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
27
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony W230
Street photography with Sony W650
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (124g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony W230 Sports photography details
Sony W650 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony W230 Travel photography features
Sony W650 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others (124g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W650 as a Landscape photography camera
36
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
43
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony W230 Vlogging highlights
Sony W650 Vlogging highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic jack
33
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than others (124g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
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Sony W230 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W230 and Sony W650
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-17 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-120mm (4.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 156 gr (0.34 pounds) 124 gr (0.27 pounds)
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 rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $180 $140