• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Sony HX80

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony HX80 advantages over Canon SX230 HS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 392 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX230 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX80
Sony HX80
All HX80 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Great zoom range from 28mm to 392mm equivalent; Full HD and slow-motion video; excellent print quality.

  • Low battery life; some chromatic aberration; flash pops up when powered on every time.

  • Read our Canon SX230 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung HZ35W

Canon SX230 HS
Samsung HZ35W
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in GPS
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung HZ35W

Sony HX80
Samsung HZ35W
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus

Compare Sony HX80 vs Samsung HZ35W

Compared to Canon SX210 IS

Canon SX230 HS
Canon SX210 IS
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX210 IS

Sony HX80
Canon SX210 IS
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony HX80 vs Canon SX210 IS

Compared to Olympus SZ-10

Canon SX230 HS
Olympus SZ-10
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-10

Sony HX80
Olympus SZ-10
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bulb shutter
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony HX80 vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Sony WX500

Canon SX230 HS
Sony WX500
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in GPS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Sony WX500

Sony HX80
Sony WX500
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Sony HX80 vs Sony WX500

Compared to Sony HX90V

Canon SX230 HS
Sony HX90V
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Sony HX90V

Sony HX80
Sony HX90V
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Sony HX80 vs Sony HX90V

Compare Other Cameras?