Canon A2300 vs Sony H90: A Detailed Compact Camera Showdown

When it comes to choosing a compact camera that balances ease of use, image quality, and zoom capabilities, the Canon PowerShot A2300 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 stand out as notable options from around 2012. Both aimed to cater to casual shooters and enthusiasts alike, offering distinct strengths inside small, pocket-friendly bodies. Having extensively tested cameras in this class over the years, I’m excited to dive deep into how these two models compare - not just in specifications but in real-world photography scenarios.

So, whether you're a cautious beginner seeking reliable simplicity or a travel enthusiast wanting versatile zoom ranges, this comparison covers everything from image quality to ergonomics to help you make an informed decision. Let’s get started.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

One of the first practical concerns when choosing a compact camera is how it feels in your hand and how easily it fits into your daily carry. The Canon A2300 is impressively petite, with dimensions of just 95x54x20 mm and weighing a mere 125 grams. In contrast, the Sony H90 is notably larger and heavier - 105x60x34 mm and 222 grams - which reflects its extended zoom lens and added features.

You can see in the image above the Canon’s slim profile versus the bulkier Sony. The A2300's minimal weight makes it ideal for those who prioritize portability, especially for street photography or casual snapshots where carrying lighter gear is a boon.

Ergonomically, the Canon A2300 sports a conventional, straightforward layout with minimal protrusions, whereas the Sony H90 provides a more substantial grip and slightly better button placement for extended use. The heft of the Sony, while less pocketable, can offer more stable handling, particularly for telephoto shots, which often require steadier support.

Control Layout and User Interface: Quick Access vs Flexibility

Looking at the top view of both cameras reveals how Sony and Canon approached control schemes differently.

The Canon A2300 keeps things basic, favoring entry-level users with a simple button array and a shutter release that feels responsive but lacks customization. There are no dedicated dials for exposure, aperture, or shutter speed, reflecting its focus on ease-of-use over manual control.

The Sony H90, meanwhile, integrates somewhat more control through manual exposure capabilities and exposure compensation, giving you more creative freedom. The buttons are logically spaced, and the larger form factor accommodates a more tactile grip and better feedback. However, neither camera features a touchscreen or an articulated display, which held back usability compared to some contemporaries.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality: How Much Can Small Sensors Deliver?

Both cameras share a common substrate: a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 16 megapixels and an anti-aliasing filter designed to reduce moiré artifacts. That sensor size translates to about 28 mm² of active area, which is typical in compact cameras of this generation.

From my testing, both sensors deliver decent resolution at base ISO 100, capable of producing sharp 4608x3456 images suitable for web sharing and moderate prints. However, differences begin to emerge in ISO performance and dynamic range.

The Canon A2300 maxes out at ISO 1600, while the Sony H90 goes a step further to ISO 3200, though in practice, noise levels become intrusive beyond ISO 800 on both cameras. The Sony benefits slightly from its BIONZ image processor, which tends to provide marginally cleaner images in low light, while the Canon’s older processor pushes noisier results.

Dynamic range is limited across the board; highlight retention and shadows flatten quickly, making these cameras less ideal for high-contrast scenes like landscapes with bright skies and deep shadows. I recommend shooting in RAW to salvage details, but unfortunately, neither camera supports RAW output, constraining post-processing options.

Viewing Your Images: The Screen Experience

Shooting is one thing, but how you review your work affects framing and focus accuracy in the field. The Canon A2300 offers a modest 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a resolution around 230k dots - serviceable but underwhelming by today’s standards.

The Sony H90 steps this up with a 3.0-inch screen rendered at 461k dots, also fixed but decidedly brighter and clearer thanks to its ClearPhoto TFT LCD technology.

In practice, the Sony’s larger, higher-resolution screen makes it easier to confirm details and composition outdoors, although glare can still be a challenge in bright sunlight. Canon’s smaller screen feels cramped and muddy, which may frustrate a photographer aiming for precise focus, especially in macro or telephoto shots.

Zooming In: Who Wins the Telephoto Battle?

Here’s where the Sony H90 shines clearly. Its 24-384mm effective zoom range offers an impressive 16x optical zoom compared to the Canon A2300’s more pedestrian 28-140mm (5x zoom). From wildlife photography to distant architecture, the extra reach of the Sony opens creative possibilities that the Canon simply cannot match.

Thanks to optical image stabilization, the H90 also allows for steadier handheld shooting at longer focal lengths, addressing one of the common stumbling blocks of superzoom cameras. The Canon lacks any image stabilization, making telephoto shots prone to blur without a tripod or flash.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus systems, standard for compacts. The Canon A2300 provides 9 focus points with center-weighted metering plus face detection, while the Sony H90’s autofocus points are somewhat unspecified, but it supports face detection and center-weighted metering as well.

In my experience, autofocus on both models performs adequately but sluggishly compared to today’s standards. The Canon tends to focus faster in good light but struggles in low light or low contrast scenes. The Sony’s autofocus is a bit more deliberate, occasionally hunting but ultimately more consistent across different lighting conditions.

Neither camera supports continuous autofocus tracking for moving subjects, which limits their suitability for sports or fast action photography. Burst rates are identical and slow - 1 fps maximum on both - reflecting the cameras’ casual snapshot intent.

Shooting Different Genres: Which Camera Suits Your Style?

Portrait Photography

When capturing portraits, skin tone reproduction and the ability to create a pleasant bokeh matter most. Both cameras have relatively small sensors and small apertures (f/2.8-6.9 Canon, f/3.3-5.9 Sony), limiting background blur potential.

However, the Canon’s slightly faster wide aperture at 28mm (f/2.8) offers a bit more subject isolation for close-ups, though the shorter zoom range constrains framing options. The Sony’s wider zoom range helps compose varying portraits but with somewhat slower apertures reducing bokeh quality.

Both benefit from face detection autofocus, which works reliably for locking sharp focus on faces indoors or outdoors, but they lack more advanced features like eye autofocus or animal detection.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing matter. Neither the Canon nor the Sony offers weather sealing, so caution is recommended in harsh environments.

While both deliver 16MP resolution, neither stands out in dynamic range or color depth, limiting post-processing latitude. The Sony’s wider 24mm wide angle versus Canon’s 28mm is preferable for sweeping vistas.

Landscape and Wildlife in Real Life: Sample Gallery

To better visualize real-world performance, I’ve gathered sample images shot under similar conditions with each camera.

Canon A2300 front Canon A2300 screen back Sony H90 front Sony H90 screen back

Examining the landscape shots, note the Sony’s wider angle captures more scene but with slightly cooler color tones compared to Canon’s warmer rendering. The Canon’s images appear softer but with smoother transitions in foliage.

For wildlife, the Sony’s zoom advantage is evident - you can capture distant birds with reasonable detail, which the Canon’s 140mm equivalent lens cannot approach. However, autofocus delays and no continuous tracking mean you’ll need patience.

Video Capabilities: What to Expect

Both cameras cap video at 1280x720 resolution, with the Canon running at 25fps and Sony at 30fps. The Sony’s MPEG-4 format is marginally more compatible with editing software than Canon’s H.264 compression on this model but both offer basic HD video.

Neither camera provides microphone input or headphone output, limiting audio quality control, and neither includes image stabilization in video mode except the Sony’s optical image stabilization, which helps reduce shakiness.

Manual exposure in the Sony allows some creative control during video, whereas the Canon locks you into full auto exposure.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Close focusing distance is a practical consideration here. The Canon A2300 allows focusing down to 3cm, slightly better than Sony’s 5cm. From hands-on tests, the Canon’s macro shots are sharper and exhibit less distortion at close range, making it a better choice if you want to explore flowers or small objects.

Neither camera supports focus stacking or bracketing, meaning you’ll have to work with single-shot depth of field.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony holds an advantage here with a rated 290 shots per charge using its NP-BG1 battery versus Canon’s 210 shots with the NB-11L. While not spectacular by today’s mirrorless standards, the Sony should endure longer outings more comfortably.

Both cameras use SD cards for storage, but Sony also supports Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats - useful if you have such media on hand, but an added complication for some.

Build Quality and Durability

Although not ruggedized, both cameras have decent build quality for their market segment. Neither features environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing, so neither is specifically suited for rough outdoor use or professional demanding conditions.

The Sony’s more substantial build matches its higher price point, feeling more robust and resistant to handling stress.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth connectivity, which limits instant sharing or remote control possibilities - common omissions for budget compacts from 2012. Both include USB 2.0 ports but no HDMI output, reflecting their position decades ago before wireless became standard.

Overall Performance: Summary Scores and Ratings

To consolidate all these factors, here is an overall performance score and genre-specific analysis based on my testing criteria considering image quality, handling, features, and value.

The Sony H90 scores higher overall, thanks largely to its zoom capabilities, battery life, manual exposure options, and improved LCD display. The Canon A2300 remains competitive primarily due to its portability and straightforward interface.

Who Should Buy the Canon A2300?

If you prioritize:

• Lightweight daily carry
• Easy point-and-shoot with minimal fuss
• Macro close-ups with very shallow working distances
• A compact companion for casual snapshots or beginner use
• A budget-friendly option

The Canon A2300 fits nicely here. Be aware of the lack of image stabilization and limited zoom, which may limit creative flexibility outdoors.

Who Should Opt for the Sony H90?

If your needs lean towards:

• Extreme zoom versatility for wildlife, travel, or architecture
• Manual exposure control to experiment creatively
• Longer battery life for extended outings
• A larger, clearer LCD for framing and review
• Optical image stabilization to reduce motion blur

The Sony H90 is the better option, though it comes at a higher price and bulkier size.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Portability vs Capability

Choosing between the Canon PowerShot A2300 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 ultimately boils down to what you value most in a compact camera. The Canon leans into simplicity, small size, and reasonable image quality for casual users or those starting out in photography. The Sony packs more punch in zoom range, control, and handling, serving those who want to explore creativity without stepping up to bulkier cameras.

Neither camera was ever aimed to replace system cameras or serve professional photographers, but each holds its ground uniquely in the budget compact niche.

From a practical perspective, if your priority is zoom versatility and slightly better image stabilization - and you don’t mind the larger size - I recommend the Sony H90 hands down. For quick grab-and-go shooting where size and weight matter most, the Canon A2300 remains a solid pick.

Dear Canon, a modern update with improved stabilization and connectivity would be welcome here.

Closing Tips for Choosing Compact Cameras

• Always consider the sensor size alongside zoom range; more zoom often means smaller apertures, which can impact image quality.
• Look for image stabilization if you plan telephoto shots without a tripod.
• Manual controls expand creative options but may intimidate beginners.
• Screen size and quality significantly affect usability, especially outdoors.
• Battery life can limit shooting time; carry backups or chargers for extended sessions.
• Charging fees can vary widely; consider your budget carefully.

If you want to compare these models to newer entries or mirrorless cameras, feel free to ask. I’ve tested countless cameras and am happy to help you find the perfect fit for your photography goals.

Happy shooting!