• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Sony A65

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony A65 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.95 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 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
    0.14 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
    25600 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A65

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.

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
Sony A65
Samsung HZ35W
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Sony A65
Canon SX210 IS
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Sony A65
Olympus SZ-10
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon D3200

Canon SX230 HS
Nikon D3200
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A65
Nikon D3200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D5200

Canon SX230 HS
Nikon D5200
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Sony A65
Nikon D5200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Compare Other Cameras?