Canon SX200 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Comparison

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Canon SX200 IS

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

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Canon SX230 HS

12 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Canon SX200 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing SX200 IS and SX230 HS, two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by Canon. Canon SX200 IS was introduced to market in May 2009 and Canon SX230 HS was launched in July 2011. As you can see, SX200 IS is 2 years older than SX230 HS. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Canon SX200 IS Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2009-05-14

12MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 80 - 1600

28-336 mm F3.4-5.3 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3.00" Fixed Type Screen

1.0fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

247g. 103 x 61 x 38 mm

Canon SX230 HS Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2011-07-19

12MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 100 - 3200

28-392 mm F3.1-5.9 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3.00" Fixed Type Screen

3.0fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

240fps High-Speed Video

Built-in GPS

223g. 106 x 62 x 33 mm

Replaced Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Compare

Canon SX200 IS was replaced by Canon PowerShot SX210 IS. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Canon PowerShot SX210 IS vs Canon PowerShot SX200 IS
Canon PowerShot SX210 IS vs Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Canon SX230 HS was replaced by Canon PowerShot SX240 HS. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS vs Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS vs Canon PowerShot SX200 IS

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

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Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot SX200 IS over Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Max Aperture - Tele	5.30 vs 5.90	faster lens at tele

CHECK SX200 IS PRICE

Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot SX230 HS over Canon PowerShot SX200 IS

GPS	BuiltIn vs None	track your location
Face Detection Focus	Yes vs No	very handy for portraits
Max ISO	3.200 vs 1.600	100% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Resolution	461k dots vs 230k dots	100% higher resolution screen
Continuous Shooting	3.0fps vs 1.0fps	2 fps faster
Weight	223 g vs 247 g	24 g lighter
Focal Length - Tele	392mm vs 336mm	56 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	14× vs 12×	more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	3.10 vs 3.40	faster lens at wide
Max Video Resolution	1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720	Higher Resolution Video

CHECK SX230 HS PRICE

Common Strengths of Canon PowerShot SX200 IS and Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

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
Manual Exposure	Yes vs Yes	better exposure control
Focal Length - Tele	336mm vs 392mm	Very good Telezoom

Common Weaknesses of Canon PowerShot SX200 IS and Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	No flexible viewing angles
External Flash Shoe	No vs No	Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder	None vs None	No eye-level shooting option
RAW Support	No vs No	Lower image quality
LCD Screen Resolution	230k dots vs 461k dots	Low resolution screens
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions

Canon SX200 IS vs Canon SX230 HS: 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 Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon SX200 IS has external dimensions of 103 x 61 x 38 mm (4.06 x 2.4 x 1.5″) and weighs 247 g (0.54 lb / 8.71 oz) (including batteries). Canon SX230 HS has external dimensions of 106 x 62 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.44 x 1.3″) and weighs 223 g (0.49 lb / 7.87 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS. Canon SX200 IS is 3mm narrower and 1mm shorter than Canon SX230 HS but it is also 5mm thicker.

Comparison image of Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS.

Comparison image of Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS 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. Canon SX230 HS is 24g lighter than the Canon SX200 IS but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

SX200 IS

SX230 HS

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

SX200 IS

SX230 HS

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Canon PowerShot SX200 IS nor Canon PowerShot SX230 HS 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

Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3.00".

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

Canon SX200 IS vs Canon SX230 HS: Sensor Comparison

Both Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS have 1/2.3-inch sized 12.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.

Below you can see the SX200 IS and SX230 HS sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS Cameras

Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Canon SX200 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Lens Specs Comparison

Canon SX200 IS features a 28-336 mm F3.4-5.3 12× zoom lens whereas Canon SX230 HS features a 28-392 mm F3.1-5.9 14× zoom lens.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 28mm. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f3.10, Canon SX230 HS is faster than Canon SX200 IS at this focal length. On the tele end, Canon SX230 HS has 56mm longer telezoom reach than the Canon SX200 IS. However, with a max aperture of f5.30, Canon SX200 IS is faster at widest end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

SX200 IS

SX230 HS

Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS

Average

Telezoom

Compact Cameras

SX200 IS

SX230 HS

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

SX200 IS

SX230 HS

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

SX200 IS

SX230 HS

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS 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.

Canon SX200 IS for Portrait Photography

POOR

Canon SX230 HS for Portrait Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure 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
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Canon SX200 IS for Street Photography

GOOD

Canon SX230 HS for Street Photography

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
28 mm - 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
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
28 mm - 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

Canon SX200 IS for Sports Photography

POOR

Canon SX230 HS for Sports Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
336 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
392 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 3.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 210 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.90
Read the details

Canon SX200 IS for Daily Photography

GOOD

Canon SX230 HS for Daily Photography

GOOD

Compact Body
247g
12.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Compact Body
223g
14.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Canon SX200 IS for Landscape Photography

POOR

Canon SX230 HS for Landscape Photography

POOR

Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Built-in GPS
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Canon SX200 IS vs Canon SX230 HS: 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 Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 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 Canon SX200 IS and Canon SX230 HS scores compare:

Canon SX200 IS

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #203 out of 477 in Compact cameras
Ranked #803 out of 1242 in all Cameras

Canon SX230 HS

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #141 out of 477 in Compact cameras
Ranked #683 out of 1242 in all Cameras

Canon SX230 HS has a higher Overall Score than the Canon SX200 IS and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX200 IS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Canon PowerShot SX200 IS	Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Brand	Canon	Canon
Announced	2009-05-14	2011-07-19
Body Type	Compact	Compact
Sensor
Type	CCD	BSI-CMOS
Size	1/2.3-inch	1/2.3-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area	28.07mm²	28.07mm²
Megapixels	12 megapixels	12 megapixels
Max Resolution	4000 x 3000	4000 x 3000
Max Native Light sensitivity	1,600 ISO	3,200 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	100 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	28-336 mm (12×)	28-392 mm (14×)
Max Aperture	F3.4-5.3	F3.1-5.9
Macro Focus Range	0cm	5cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	3.00"	3.00"
Resolution	230k dots	461k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/3200s	1/3200s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization	Optical	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	3.20 m	3.50 m
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	1.0 fps	3.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	1280 x 720	1920 x 1080
Video Formats	Motion JPEG	H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	None	Eye-Fi Connected
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	247g	223g
Dimensions	103 x 61 x 38mm	106 x 62 x 33mm
Battery Life	n/a	210 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	Built-in
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction