• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 30.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-W230 advantages over Canon SD970 IS

  • Less expensive
    $199 vs $380 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Lighter weight
    127g vs 189g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    30 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.7 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon SD970 IS advantages over Sony DSC-W230

  • More telephoto lens reach
    185 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Sony DSC-W230

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Sony DSC-W230
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSC-W230 vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Sony DSC-W290

Sony DSC-W230
Sony DSC-W290
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSC-W230 vs Sony DSC-W290

Canon SD970 IS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Sony DSC-W290

Compared to Panasonic DMC-F3

Sony DSC-W230
Panasonic DMC-F3
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $96
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSC-W230 vs Panasonic DMC-F3

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic DMC-F3
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $96
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic DMC-F3

Compared to Olympus Stylus-5010

Sony DSC-W230
Olympus Stylus-5010
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $106
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-W230 vs Olympus Stylus-5010

Canon SD970 IS
Olympus Stylus-5010
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $106
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Olympus Stylus-5010

Compared to Canon SD1300 IS

Sony DSC-W230
Canon SD1300 IS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSC-W230 vs Canon SD1300 IS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SD1300 IS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD1300 IS

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