Sony W230 vs Canon G16 Comparison

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Sony W230

12 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

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Canon G16

12 MP | 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Sony W230 vs Canon G16 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing W230 and G16, two Small Sensor Compact cameras from Sony and Canon. Both cameras have 12.0MP sensors but Sony W230's sensor is 1/2.3-inch sized whereas Canon G16 has a 1/1.7-inch sensor. Sony W230 was introduced to market in February 2009 and Canon G16 was launched in November 2013. As you can see, W230 is 4 years older than G16. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Sony W230 and Canon G16 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Sony W230 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2009-02-17

12MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 80 - 3200

30-120 mm F2.8-5.8 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

2 fps continuous shooting

- 640 x 480 video resolution

156g. 95 x 57 x 22 mm

Canon G16 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2013-11-25

12MP - 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 80 - 12800

28-140 mm F1.8-2.8 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

Optical (tunnel) viewfinder

12 fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

240fps High-Speed Video

Built-in Wireless

356g. 109 x 76 x 40 mm

Replaced Canon PowerShot G15 Compare

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Sony W230 and Canon G16 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 over Canon PowerShot G16

Weight	156 g vs 356 g	200 g lighter

Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot G16 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230

Wireless Connection	Built-In vs None	Better connectivity
External Flash Shoe	Yes vs No	Better for flash photography
Viewfinder	Optical vs None	Better framing and control
RAW Support	Yes vs No	Better image quality
Face Detection Focus	Yes vs No	very handy for portraits
Max ISO	12.800 vs 3.200	300% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Resolution	922k dots vs 230k dots	300% higher resolution screen
Max Mech. Shutter	1/4000s vs 1/1600s	faster mechanical shutter
Continuous Shooting	12.0fps vs 2.0fps	10 fps faster
Manual Exposure	Yes vs No	better exposure control
Timelapse Recording	Yes vs No	creative shooting
Focal Length - Wide	28mm vs 30mm	2 mm wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele	140mm vs 120mm	20 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	5× vs 4×	more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	1.80 vs 2.80	faster lens at wide
Max Aperture - Tele	2.80 vs 5.80	faster lens at tele
Flash Coverage	7.0m vs 3.9m	3.1m longer range
Sensor Pixel Area	3.46µm² vs 2.34µm²	47% larger pixel area
Max Video Resolution	1920 x 1080 vs 640 x 480	Higher Resolution Video
AE Bracketing	Yes vs No	Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Smartphone Remote	Yes vs No	Remote control your camera with a smartphone

Common Strengths of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 and Canon PowerShot G16

Image Stabilization	Optical vs Optical	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash	Yes vs Yes	Useful in low-light
Manual Focusing	Yes vs Yes	both have manual focusing modes

Common Weaknesses of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 and Canon PowerShot G16

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	No flexible viewing angles
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions

Sony W230 vs Canon G16: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Sony W230 and Canon G16 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Sony W230 has external dimensions of 95 x 57 x 22 mm (3.74 x 2.24 x 0.87″) and weighs 156 g (0.34 lb / 5.50 oz) (including batteries). Canon G16 has external dimensions of 109 x 76 x 40 mm (4.29 x 2.99 x 1.57″) and weighs 356 g (0.78 lb / 12.56 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony W230 and Canon G16. Sony W230 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 14mm narrower, 19mm shorter and 18mm thinner than Canon G16.

Comparison image of Sony W230 and Canon G16 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Sony W230 and Canon G16.

Comparison image of Sony W230 and Canon G16 Size and Weight - Back View

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Sony W230 is significantly lighter (200g ) than the Canon G16 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

W230

G16

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

W230

G16

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 nor Canon PowerShot G16 provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Sony W230 and Canon G16's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Sony W230 vs Canon G16: Sensor Comparison

Both Sony W230 and Canon G16 have 12.0 MP resolution sensors but Sony W230's sensor is 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) and Canon G16's sensor is 1/1.7-inch (7.44 x 5.58 mm ).

Since Canon G16's has a larger sensor area with the same resolution, this means that it also has a larger pixel area hence better light collecting capacity for a given aperture compared to Sony W230.

Below you can see the W230 and G16 sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony W230 and Canon G16 Cameras

As seen above, Canon G16 has a 1.5x Larger sensor area than Sony W230. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

Sony W230 vs Canon G16 Lens Specs Comparison

Sony W230 features a 30-120 mm F2.8-5.8 4× zoom lens whereas Canon G16 features a 28-140 mm F1.8-2.8 5× zoom lens.

Canon G16 has 2mm wider coverage than the Sony W230. At f1.80, it is also faster at widest end. On the tele end, Canon G16 has 20mm longer reach than the Sony W230. At f2.80, it is also faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

W230

G16

Widest - Ricoh WG-M1

Average

Telezoom

Compact Cameras

W230

G16

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

W230

G16

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

W230

G16

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Sony W230 and Canon G16 Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Sony W230 and Canon G16 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Sony W230 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Canon G16 for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
External Flash Shoe
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) sensor
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Sony W230 for Street Photography

AVERAGE

Canon G16 for Street Photography

EXCELLENT

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
30 mm - Not so Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Fast Lens at Wide: f1.80
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) sensor
Read the details

Sony W230 for Sports Photography

POOR

Canon G16 for Sports Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
120 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 2.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Slow Max shutter speed: 1/1600s
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.80
Read the details

Image Stabilization
RAW shooting capability
External Flash Shoe
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 12.0fps
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
Wireless Connection
Fast Lens at Tele: f2.80
140 mm Tele Lens
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Read the details

Sony W230 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Canon G16 for Daily Photography

GOOD

Compact Body
156g
Body Thickness 22mm
4.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

RAW shooting capability
Compact Body
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) sensor
356g
Body Thickness 40mm
Read the details

Sony W230 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Canon G16 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Manual Focus Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
30 mm - Not so Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Sony W230 vs Canon G16: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Sony W230 and Canon G16, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Sony W230 and Canon G16 scores compare:

Sony W230

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #335 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #986 out of 1225 in all Cameras

Canon G16

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #7 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #275 out of 1225 in all Cameras

Canon G16 is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Sony W230 in all criteria except one: Portability.
If small size and light body is a big priority for you, choose Sony W230. Otherwise, Canon G16 is the better camera overall.

Canon G16 vs Sony W230 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230	Canon PowerShot G16
Brand	Sony	Canon
Announced	2009-02-17	2013-11-25
Body Type	Compact	Compact
Sensor
Type	CCD	BSI-CMOS
Size	1/2.3-inch	1/1.7-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	7.44 x 5.58 mm
Area	28.07mm²	41.52mm²
Megapixels	12 megapixels	12 megapixels
Max Resolution	4000 x 3000	4000 x 3000
Max Native Light sensitivity	3,200 ISO	12,800 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	80 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points	9	9
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	fixed lens
Lens Focal Range	30-120 mm (4×)	28-140 mm (5×)
Max Aperture	F2.8-5.8	F1.8-2.8
Macro Focus Range	4cm	1cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	3"	3"
Resolution	230k dots	922k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder Coverage	n/a	80%
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/1600s	1/4000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization	Optical	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	3.90 m	7.00 m
Max Flash Sync	n/a	1/2000s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	2.0 fps	12.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	640 x 480	1920 x 1080
Video Formats	Motion JPEG	MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	None	Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	156g	356g
Dimensions	95 x 57 x 22mm	109 x 76 x 40mm
Battery Life	n/a	360 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	Optional
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score	not tested	54
DxO Color Depth	not tested	21.0
DxO Dynamic Range	not tested	11.7
DxO Low Light ISO	not tested	230
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