Canon PowerShot
SX230 HS
 vs
Sony Cybershot
DSC-HX9v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v

97
"The HX9V is an outstanding travel compact, albeit one with a somewhat premium price tag. It’s easy to use, feels great in the hand and delivers fantastic image quality"
trustedreviews.com | talking about the DSC-HX9v's overall-performance
"Images are consistently crisp, sharp and punchy with pleasing colour and good levels of contrast."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the DSC-HX9v's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
921k dots
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Battery life
 Great battery life
300 shots
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

85
"The camera's controls are a mix of good and bad"
reviews.cnet.com | talking about the SX230 HS's button-layout
"HS has good low-light photo quality for its class"
reviews.cnet.com | talking about the SX230 HS's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
240 fps
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/3200 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Canon SX230 HS
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies 240 fps vs None
Help
 Capture events too fast for the naked eye and play them back in super-slow motion
Aperture Wider aperture f/3.1 vs f/3.3
Help
 At its widest zoom, the SX230 HS's lens captures marginally more light (0.2 f-stops)
Weight Lighter 215 g vs 245 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/3200s vs 1/1600s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Lowest price Cheaper $239.00 vs $319.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $80 cheaper (around 30% less)
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.3" vs 1.3"
Help
 Almost the same
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Learn more about
the Canon SX230 HS

Advantages of the Sony DSC-HX9v
Wide angle Significantly better wide angle 24 mm vs 28 mm
Help
 More than 10% better wide angle
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 921k dots vs 461k dots
Help
 Around 2x higher resolution screen
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Zoom More zoom 16x vs 14x
Help
 More than 30% more zoom
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 10 fps vs 3.2 fps
Help
 More than 3x faster continuous shooting
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 300 shots vs 210 shots
Help
 More than 40% more shots per battery charge
Longest exposure Longer exposures 30s vs 15s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Learn more about
the Sony DSC-HX9v
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent travel zooms, and ignoring price

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
85 vs 97
Explain scores
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon SX230 HS or the Sony DSC-HX9v,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by Sabbirul-Alam last month
Canon SX230 HS vs Sony DSC-HX9v

I wanna know the best ouse of this camera.......................

One person recommends the Canon SX230 HS:

"Image quality of this is great i think"
0
votes
by Roman-Zelvenschi1 last month
Canon SX230 HS vs Sony DSC-HX9v

I think of myself as somewhere in the middle. I don't want to carry huge cameras with me, but I do...
0
votes
by user42268 last month
Canon SX240 HS vs Sony DSC-HX9v

I am unable to decide from these 2 cameras. Please help me quickly as I need to buy this today eve...

One person recommends the Sony DSC-HX9v:

"The Sony HX9v is the camera I would go with, it is cheaper and is the all around better camera."
2
votes
by Jamie-Henry-Tinnemeyer this month
Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic DMC-ZS10

Looking for a nice digital camera, not sure if I should go for a canon, nikon, or panasonic.  I ...

6 people recommend the Canon SX230 HS:

" Easier to use and more colorful and faster performance. :)"

" Which do you recommend and why?   I think Canon makes the best P&S cameras and I'm a Nikon D..."

" I think you should have a closer look at the Canon Powershot SX230 HS. It's a good allround Came..."
One person recommends the Panasonic DMC-ZS10:

" Hey, Jamie. I used too many point and shoot cameras in last 9 years.. Just enter the world o..."
0
votes
by Kate-Stadt last month
Sony DSC-HX9v vs Sony WX9

Advanced beginner. I need Fast shutter and shot-to-shot speed, capable Image Stabilation, a displa...

One person recommends the Sony DSC-HX9v:

"Based on what you said above I think the HX9v is your best option. Happy shooting"

similarities

Compared to recent compacts

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Zoom Great zoom Help
SX230 HS:14x
DSC-HX9v:16x
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
SX230 HS:1080p @ 30fps
DSC-HX9v:1080p @ 60fps
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
GPS Built-in GPS Help
Great for travel
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
Image stabilization Good image stabilization Help
SX230 HS:Lens, Sensor shift
DSC-HX9v:Lens
Thickness Quite thick Help
1.3"
Weight Heavy Help
SX230 HS:215 g
DSC-HX9v:245 g
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Size Large Help
SX230 HS:106x59x33 mm
DSC-HX9v:105x59x34 mm
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons

Compared to recent travel zooms

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V

Travel zoom

$328
Light sensitivity Much higher maximum light sensitivity
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V vs the PowerShot SX230 HS
Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V vs the Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS

Travel zoom

$294 - $299
Zoom Has significantly more zoom
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Aperture Has a slightly narrower aperture
Compare the PowerShot SX260 HS vs the PowerShot SX230 HS
Compare the PowerShot SX260 HS vs the Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Nikon Coolpix S9100

Nikon Coolpix S9100

Travel zoom

$237 - $289
Zoom Has slightly more zoom
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Compare the Coolpix S9100 vs the PowerShot SX230 HS
Compare the Coolpix S9100 vs the Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430
Aperture Has a much wider aperture
Size Is slightly smaller
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the PowerShot SX230 HS
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20

Panasonic Lumix ZS20

Travel zoom

$290 - $350
Zoom Has significantly more zoom
Size Is slightly smaller
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Lumix ZS20 vs the PowerShot SX230 HS
Compare the Lumix ZS20 vs the Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

Travel zoom

$328
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Macro focus Slightly closer macro focusing
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Panorama Lacks a built in panoramas
Compare the Lumix DMC-ZS10 vs the PowerShot SX230 HS
Compare the Lumix DMC-ZS10 vs the Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS

Canon PowerShot SX240 HS

Travel zoom

$354 - $419
Zoom Has significantly more zoom
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
GPS Doesn't have a built-in GPS
Compare the PowerShot SX240 HS vs the PowerShot SX230 HS
Compare the PowerShot SX240 HS vs the Cybershot DSC-HX9v

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS.

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Travel zoom

$399
Zoom Significantly more zoom
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Size Larger
Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V vs the Cybershot DSC-HX9v

appearance

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v

discussion

Showing 17 comments

Avatar for rohan rane rohan rane (10:24 AM, January 24, 2012)
On Semi-SLR Compact range... SONY Scores Definitely. HX9V is a better choice, review could be skewed the other way round.. which made me think of buying Canon SX220HS didn't wanted GPS so didn't go for 230HS. 


After through review on all the sites and their scores SX230 HS felt being a good choice and thought of ordering it online. Luckily, a friend of mine suggested to test 220hs at a nearby electronic store. Went there and tested 220hs... looked good / performed good & felt good in hand. Then this ugly looking monster piece made by Sony came in my hand on the salesman insistence. And that was it...... Dramatic reduction in noise at max zoom level, sharpness at its best (we took a snap of a car parked on the other side of the lane from the glass panel ) I could read the car number from the picture at max zoom, canon failed in this test. Twilight images very sharp and excellent quality, night view of the cities snaps took without flash.......was what made me flabbergasted. 

The only feature i miss here is the high speed movie recording..... really great fallback from Sony's end. However, Images are in no way comparison. 

P.S. Flash is really annoying in HX9v..... almost on every alternate pics i accidently press the Flash panel in or doesn't let it protrude out. Very Very annoying. I'm worried if I don't break the protruding flash in near future. 
 
Borg Domenic (10:35 AM, January 23, 2012)
I may well like to choose the Nikon S9100, but I read in a certain review, that the image quality is inferior to SX230HS. Also it lacks that necessary manual focusing.  But to choose the SX230HS, I would love it to be something like in the comment I wrote further up to Hwdqihavi.
 
Borg Domenic (10:34 AM, January 23, 2012)
I fully agree with you.  After 47 days of thorough review researches regarding best image quality in a compact camera, I have finally settled for the SX220HS.  But I am still not satisfied. I wish that perhaps CANON would finally produce a better SX220HS which will eliminate those occasional chromatic aberrations+vin+extreme focal lens jittering when on video recording and when such camera would have more wide angle + a little bit more of telezoom + a stronger built-in flash having better metric coverage.  Why do camera firms install those annoyingly pop-up flashes?  I may sound crazy, but in my opinion, excuse me if I am wrong, that's what the average enthusiastic photographer really asks for in a compact travel zoom.
 
Wisdom Tooth (10:28 PM, January 08, 2012)
Tell me somethin... how is 16x "more than 30% more zoom" than 14x?
 
boca (8:18 AM, December 31, 2011)
Sony is actually a much better camera: I have both. The smearing you're talking about is only visible if you keep default sharpening setting, but if you change it there is no smearing. Also, the review neglects to mention that Sony's 1080/60P produces stunning videos while 24P on Canon instead of film look produces just a jerky video. And, panoramas are not just stitched in camera by Sony, but can be made in high resolution at over 40 megapixels that no other camera of its class is capable of. I am not a Sony fan, in fact, before this camera I never owned any made by Sony, but this one won me over.
 
Mahegoud (5:22 PM, December 23, 2011)
i don't under stand which one i should consider ....
 true resolution or Mega pix...
sony 16 MP   .... true resolution 9.7 MP
 
Hwdqihrvi (6:42 PM, December 18, 2011)
I think the SX230 is quite better...it's prettier as well.  I think the Sony is just a gimmicky camera (16 MP, panorama, 3D), those are things you aren't going to use on a daily basis. I think you should go for the SX220, as the GPS isn't as important as they want it to be...
 
Acerox (9:45 PM, December 08, 2011)
Hi Steve,
Very nice page preview, thanks. It is true that they give the best score to the Canon but actually when checking the "Sample Gallery" the photos of the Sony look nicer than the canon ones, at least to me... what do you think?

Still it is not clear to me which one to buy :(
 
Avatar for Steven Steven (2:55 AM, December 07, 2011)
As you can see in their compact superzoom group test, Canon SX230 HS has consistently the best image quality in all the conditions (adequate lighting, low light, and with flash). They concluded that the best in the group are:
- Canon SX230 HS (because of image quality and JPEG processing)
- Nikon S9100 (because of its wider-angle + longest-telephoto lens)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q311travelzoomgrouptest/
 
mjo (5:12 PM, December 02, 2011)
i read on both dpreview and snapsort about low light performance, it's not clear which one is batter... in the performance hx9v has the most votes but dpreview gives more rank to sx23hs for lowlight. which one is batter?
 
mjo (5:05 PM, December 02, 2011)
costco instore has it for 259 includes 4gb card, case and 100prints
happy shoping...
 
Madeline Osborne (6:08 PM, November 16, 2011)
YES! The overall picture quality is well worth the small amount price difference. Also, if you do a bit of web searching, you can find an excellent package deal on the Sony with a small tripod, 4 g. card, USB card reader, cleaning kit, and LCD covers along with the camera, including free shipping, for only $299 USD through Amazon.
 
Madeline Osborne (6:05 PM, November 16, 2011)
You totally neglect to point out the grasping capabilities - The sony has a very nice grip on the right hand side to hold onto it better. Also, the one ounce weight difference is not that big a deal.
 
Shgl_amit (2:01 PM, October 27, 2011)
plz suggest i purchase camera hx9v Or Sx230hs which i purchase
 
Howie (10:15 PM, October 24, 2011)
Well, I personally don't think so. though the Sony is an excellent camera.
Superficially the Sony has lots of attractive features, feels and looks good, and is a very fast performer. However , on sustained usage, it's failings begin to show ie. LCD barely usable in very bright light, several seconds delay when going into movie mode from still image mode, and excessive processing with smearing of, particularly, facial features.
 If all you want to photograph is landscapes and animals the Sony is excellent-but for humans the Canon gives better quality images.  Incidently, there is little between the movie quality of the two cameras, but the Canon files are larger and I require a 16GB card, whereas I find 8GB is enough for the Sony.
 
Poit2 (2:47 AM, October 14, 2011)
Is the extra money for the Sony really worth it?
 
Avatar for Mind Power Mind Power (6:37 AM, May 12, 2011)
hx9v rocks :)