Canon SX230 HS vs Sony NEX-7

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Canon SX230 HS vs Sony NEX-7

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

Go in depth with our full Canon SX230 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX230 HS.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-7.

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Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Sony NEX-7

Less expensive
$350 vs $1350 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony NEX-7 advantages over Canon SX230 HS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

430 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
922k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.22 vs 0.40 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 3.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
16000 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NEX-7 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon SX230 HS

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Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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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

24.3-megapixel sensor with excellent image quality; Small body; Exceptional user interface; Full HD 60p video; Electronic viewfinder and flash are built-in.
No Mode dial; Flash sync is a touch slow; No UHS-I card support; Needs a better kit lens to match the sensor quality.
Read our Sony NEX-7 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 NEX-7

Samsung HZ35W

$1248
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$350
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-7 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 NEX-7

Canon SX210 IS

$1248
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$262
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-7 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 NEX-7

Olympus SZ-10

$1248
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$224
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Samsung NX200

Canon SX230 HS

Samsung NX200

$269
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX200

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Samsung NX200

Compared to Samsung NX300

Canon SX230 HS

Samsung NX300

$269
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1200
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung NX300

Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX300

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$1200
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Samsung NX300

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