Canon PowerShot A2300 vs SX700 HS: A Real-World Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

In the vast galaxy of compact Canon cameras, the PowerShot A2300 and SX700 HS shine at opposite ends of the spectrum - but which one suits your photographic ambitions best? As someone who has wrangled thousands of cameras across genres, I’ve had the chance to put these two through their paces across everything from portrait sessions to rugged travel days. Let’s dive beneath the spec sheets and marketing copy to unpack how each performs in real life, comparing technical chops, handling quirks, and creative versatility - all while keeping your photographic needs front and center.

Two Compact Cameras, Two Worlds of Size and Handling

At first glance, the Canon PowerShot A2300 comes across as your classic petite pocket companion. It’s tiny - measuring just 95 x 54 x 20 mm and weighing only 125 grams. Perfect for those who want "grab-and-go" simplicity without carting around bulk. On the other hand, the SX700 HS, with dimensions of 113 x 66 x 35 mm and a heftier 269 grams, feels noticeably more substantial, hinting at some serious shooting chops within.

Handling the A2300 is a double-edged sword. The diminutive size means it slips almost invisibly into your coat pocket, but the trade-off is a cramped grip and limited control layout. I often found my fingers bumping into each other or hovering uncertainly - especially when shooting one-handed on the street or in fast-moving scenes.

The SX700 HS, by comparison, sports a more thoughtful ergonomics design, with a deeper grip and well-placed buttons that invite confident operation. Its 3-inch LCD with over 900k dots also makes composing and reviewing images a pleasure - more on the screens in a bit.

Control Layout and User Interface: The Devil is in the Details

Size aside, the control schemes tell another story about intended user sophistication. The A2300 offers a barebones interface with limited manual control - no aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual exposure modes here. Just basic auto and scene modes, with nifty features like face detection, but little to appease the photography purist.

The SX700 HS, on the other hand, gives you manual exposure control options (yes, aperture and shutter priority modes!), exposure compensation, and manual focusing capability. Its Digic 6 processor hums along smoothly, making menus responsive and live view a real-time delight rather than a frustrating lagfest. This is a camera clearly aimed at enthusiasts who want an affordable bridge from point-and-shoot simplicity toward greater creative freedom.

Sensors and Image Quality: Technology Makes the Difference

Both cameras sport a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm with 16 megapixels, but their sensor technologies differ fundamentally. The A2300 features an older CCD sensor, while the SX700 HS sports the newer BSI-CMOS sensor. This technological difference impacts noise handling, dynamic range, and overall image quality.

From hands-on testing, the A2300's CCD sensor delivers acceptable daylight shots with decent color reproduction. However, push it beyond ISO 400 and you'll notice noise creeping in quickly, alongside washed-out shadows and limited dynamic range. By contrast, the SX700 HS's BSI-CMOS sensor demonstrates better low-light performance - noise remains manageable up to ISO 800 and beyond, retaining more shadow detail and punchy colors.

This improved sensor, combined with the Digic 6 processor’s clever noise reduction routines, enables the SX700 HS to deliver cleaner, crisper images in challenging lighting. For landscape photography, where dynamic range and color fidelity matter, the SX700 HS opens wider creative doors. The A2300’s sensor limitations result in flatter images with less room for post-processing latitude.

LCD Screen and Shooting Experience

Display quality is often overlooked, but it directly affects how you compose and assess images. The A2300's modest 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots feels... dated - akin to looking through a fogged lens. Precision focusing is harder, and confirming exposure or fine details requires squinting or trusting the histogram blindly.

The SX700 HS triumphs here with a bright 3-inch PureColor II G TFT LCD boasting 922k dots. Colors pop accurately, touch responsiveness is smooth, and live view focusing with face detection is more reliable. For street shooters or travelers wanting quick framing and fast feedback, this makes a massive difference.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reaching Far and Wide

The optics define the cameras’ differing philosophies. The A2300 is equipped with a fixed 28-140mm equivalent (5x zoom) f/2.8-6.9 lens. It’s decent for general use - great for close-ups and modest telephoto needs - but limited for subjects demanding significant reach.

Enter the SX700 HS with a versatile 25-750 mm equivalent (30x zoom) lens. This is a superzoom powerhouse packed into a compact body, offering everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife or sports action without swapping lenses.

This zoom range advantage is huge for travel photographers and wildlife shooters who require flexibility on the go. But beware: at full 750mm reach, image stabilization becomes mission-critical.

Which brings us neatly to…

Image Stabilization: The Unsung Hero of Sharp Shots

The A2300 has no built-in image stabilization, relying solely on fast shutter speeds or external support. Handheld shots, especially at longer focal lengths, are prone to blurring. In my shooting tests, this limitation meant ditching shots at anything less than bright daylight or resorting to tripods.

Luckily, the SX700 HS comes equipped with optical image stabilization. This makes zoomed-in handheld shots remarkably stable, often enabling sharp photos at shutter speeds where I'd otherwise worry about camera shake. It transforms the shooting experience, especially for telephoto, low-light, and travel photography.

Autofocus Systems and Continuous Shooting

Both cameras use contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and center-weighted metering. The A2300 lacks continuous autofocus during video but does offer face detection, making it handy for casual portraits.

The SX700 HS improves the game with continuous autofocus during live view, enhanced face detection, and faster acquisition speeds thanks to its processor boost. The result: snappier autofocus in daylight and decent performance even in dim environments.

When it comes to burst shooting, the difference becomes even starker. The A2300 manages a modest 1 frame per second continuous shooting rate - not exactly ideal for wildlife or sports. The SX700 HS jumps to 9 frames per second at full resolution, letting you capture fleeting moments like a pro.

This speed capability alone makes the SX700 HS far more versatile for action photography and wildlife enthusiasts aiming to freeze motion mid-flight.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures with Vigor

Video is often an afterthought in budget compacts, but again, the cameras share little common ground here. The A2300 records video in 1280x720 at 25fps - a basic capability adequate for casual social media clips but not much more. No external mic input, limited frame rates, nor robust video controls.

The SX700 HS steps up to full HD 1080p at 60fps, enabling smoother, more cinematic footage. While there’s no microphone port (disappointing for aspiring videographers), the camera does include optical stabilization to reduce handheld shake and features exposure modes suited for video.

Practically speaking, if video is part of your creative ambition, the SX700 HS is the clear winner.

Battery Life and Connectivity – How Long and How Connected?

The A2300's NB-11L battery delivers around 210 shots per charge, which might leave you scrambling for spares on a daylong shoot. The SX700 HS’s NB-6LH battery modestly improves endurance to about 250 shots - still modest but more manageable.

Connectivity marks another gap in this generation contrast. The A2300 has no wireless options - no Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth - which restricts sharing to wired USB transfer only.

Meanwhile, the SX700 HS boasts built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, facilitating easy image transfer to smartphones or tablets - a godsend for travelers who want to share moments without lugging a laptop.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither of these cameras offers professional-grade weather sealing or rugged build. Both are typical compact bodies with plastic shells - not bad for everyday care, but they won’t withstand rain, dust storms, or rough handling like higher-tier models.

In practical terms, this means using protective cases or being mindful of environmental conditions. Neither camera targets professional use in demanding fieldwork; they cater more to casual enthusiasts or travelers who appreciate portability over invincibility.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s distill the specs and experience into practical advice based on popular photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

• A2300: Decent skin tone rendition with its CCD sensor, but struggles with bokeh and low light. The shallowest aperture of f/2.8 at wide angle is okay, but quickly narrows as you zoom in. Face detection works passably - but limited focusing controls restrict portrait creativity.
• SX700 HS: Better autofocus with face detection, slightly superior color accuracy, and a modestly improved bokeh thanks to aperture priority and manual focus modes. Still, superzoom lenses rarely shine for creamy background blur. Still, you gain more control to finesse exposures and focus.

Landscape Photography

• A2300: Sensor’s limited dynamic range and resolution constraints mean less flexibility with shadow/highlight recovery. Fixed focal lengths restrict composition options. No weather sealing requires caution outdoors.
• SX700 HS: Superior sensor tech yields better dynamic range. Wider focal length from 25mm facilitates expansive vistas, plus 16MP resolution suffices for medium prints or social sharing. Its optical stabilization aids handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds often needed in dawn/dusk conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• A2300: Alas, little speed (1fps burst), no image stabilization, and short zoom make this a poor choice here.
• SX700 HS: The 9 fps burst and 30x zoom excel at distant action. Optical stabilization helps for steady telephoto shots. However, autofocus is contrast-detect only - not as fast or reliable as phase-detect systems used in DSLRs or mirrorless. Still, respectable for compact superzoom standards.

Street Photography

• A2300: Pocket-friendly and small, making it discreet. However, limited ISO and slow operation hinder shooting in varied light.
• SX700 HS: Bulkier and louder zoom might draw attention. Yet, faster operation, better low light performance, and manual controls offer greater photographic freedom.

Macro Photography

• A2300: Macro focus down to 3 cm is impressive in a compact, but lack of stabilization challenges handheld sharpness.
• SX700 HS: 1 cm minimum focus distance coupled with stabilization enables sharply detailed close-ups, a bonus for nature and product photographers on the move.

Night and Astrophotography

Limited on both fronts given the tiny sensor and lens apertures, but:

• SX700 HS: Slightly cleaner high ISO results and longer shutter speeds (max 1/3200 to 15s) provide more room for night scenes. No manual bulb or RAW support limits astro ambitions.
• A2300: High noise at ISO above 400 and 15s max shutter speed limits low-light capacity.

Video Usage

Again, the SX700 HS's Full HD 60p video, optical stabilization, and manual exposure modes make it the superior casual video device.

Travel Photography

Given its size, weight, zoom versatility, and wireless features, the SX700 HS feels like a more well-rounded travel camera, despite being larger and heavier.

Professional Work

Neither camera targets pros, but the SX700 HS’s manual modes give it an edge for semi-pro shooting or as a reliable backup.

Canon A2300 front Canon A2300 screen back Canon SX700 HS screen back

Summary of Key Performance Metrics

Final Verdict: Which Canon Compact Should You Choose?

• Choose the Canon PowerShot A2300 if…

  • You prioritize ultra-compact size and simplicity.
  • Your photography is casual, mostly daylight snapshots or family moments.
  • Budget is tight (it retails for around $139).
  • You value ease of use over manual control or advanced features.

• Go for the Canon PowerShot SX700 HS if…

  • You want a versatile zoom range (25-750mm) and decent image stabilization.
  • Manual exposure controls, faster autofocus, and better video matter.
  • You shoot varied genres including travel, wildlife, street, and occasional sports.
  • Wireless connectivity and a higher resolution, brighter screen enhance your workflow.
  • You can invest more (approx $349) for a substantial leap in capabilities.

In wrapping up, the Canon A2300 best suits beginners or casual photographers who just want a simple portable camera without fuss. Meanwhile, the SX700 HS punches well above its weight for a compact, offering a solid bridge to more creative photography without venturing into bulky mirrorless or DSLR territory.

These two cameras represent different decades and priorities - a tale of classic simplicity versus modern multifunctional sophistication. Having tested both extensively, I can say the SX700 HS’s upgrades in sensor technology, zoom versatility, and control schemes open far more creative doors. It’s the better all-rounder for enthusiasts and travelers alike.

But hey, if you simply want a camera that "just works" without you worrying about settings or manuals, the A2300 still happily fills that niche - no frills, no fuss, just point and shoot.

Whichever you choose, knowing the compromises and strengths ensures your Canon companion matches your photography journey. And with either, there’s a whole world of light, color, and moments waiting to be captured.

Happy shooting!