Canon PowerShot S200 vs. Canon PowerShot SX620 HS: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Cameras

Canon’s PowerShot line has long been synonymous with dependable, enthusiast-friendly compact cameras, offering a range of feature sets tailored to different use cases. In this detailed comparative analysis, I scrutinize the Canon PowerShot S200, launched in early 2014, against the Canon PowerShot SX620 HS from mid-2016. These models cater to different niches: the S200 leans toward advanced compact users valuing speed and manual controls, while the SX620 HS emphasizes superzoom versatility and modern imaging technology in a pocketable form factor.

After hands-on testing of both cameras across multiple photography scenarios, careful examination of their specifications, and cross-referencing real-world output, this article endeavors to provide enthusiasts and professionals alike the insights needed to choose the most suitable camera for their specific needs.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Balancing Compactness with Handling

When evaluating compact cameras, physical ergonomics and handling characteristics are crucial, especially for extended shooting sessions and field use. Both cameras sport fixed-lens compact bodies yet diverge in design intent and size.

The Canon S200 measures 100 x 59 x 26 mm and weighs 181 grams. It adopts a traditional compact style with a slightly squarish profile and a modest grip area that facilitates secure handling despite its small footprint. The build exudes a robust feel for a consumer compact, although weather sealing is not present - standard for this category and era.

In contrast, the SX620 HS, with dimensions of 97 x 57 x 28 mm and weighing 182 grams, is comparably small yet slightly thicker. Its extended zoom lens requires a bulkier front barrel and retraction mechanism, influencing overall bulk. This model includes virtually no dedicated physical controls beyond minimalistic shutter and zoom toggles, emphasizing portability over manual ergonomics.

Although close in weight, the S200’s slightly taller height and more contoured shape provide a more comfortable shooting grip, supporting some manual features. The SX620 HS feels very pocketable but less tactile for serious photographic engagement. For travel photography prioritizing size and weight, both satisfy competing requirements, but those wanting manual finesse may lean toward the S200.

Top-Panel Layout and Control Scheme: Manual Flexibility Versus Simplicity

User interface design and physical controls dictate ease of operation, especially in dynamic conditions where menu diving is impractical.

The S200 impresses with physical dials and buttons tailored for enthusiasts: shutter, zoom toggle, a mode dial including aperture and shutter priority, and a dedicated exposure compensation dial. These provide immediate access to core settings, critical for disciplined workflows and manual exposure adjustments.

Conversely, the SX620 HS relies almost entirely on automatic modes and basic control toggles - there is no mode dial or exposure compensation button. Manual focus is available but only through a rudimentary menu system. This design caters strictly to casual users desiring point-and-shoot simplicity alongside a powerful zoom lens.

In terms of interface fluidity, the S200’s superior controls empower advanced users who demand precision without menu dependency. Meanwhile, the SX620 HS prioritizes user-friendliness for novices, trading off manual control accessibility.

Sensor Technology and Image Resolution: Two Approaches to Small Sensor Imaging

Sensor technology underpins image quality fundamentals such as resolution, noise performance, and dynamic range.

The Canon PowerShot S200 employs a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor with dimensions approximately 7.44 x 5.58 mm, amounting to a sensor area of 41.52 mm². It captures images at 10 megapixels with a maximum native ISO of 6400. While CCD sensors traditionally exhibit excellent color nuance and sharpness, they tend to struggle in high ISO and video applications compared to modern CMOS alternatives.

The SX620 HS, on the other hand, features a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor sized at 6.17 x 4.55 mm, smaller at 28.07 mm², yet delivering a significantly higher 20-megapixel resolution. The back-illuminated (BSI) design enhances low-light sensitivity, although the smaller physical sensor area means more noise in dim conditions. It maxes out at ISO 3200 native, lower than the S200’s ceiling, reflecting canonical sensitivity trade-offs.

Practical image testing confirms the S200’s CCD sensor imparts slightly better dynamic range and color depth in daylight conditions, along with cleaner mid-ISO images. The SX620 HS’s CMOS sensor excels in video performance, faster readout speeds, and resolution but introduces more noise beyond ISO 800, limiting low-light still usability.

For users prioritizing still image quality and color fidelity, the S200’s sensor yields subtle advantages. Those valuing resolution and video are served better by the SX620 HS.

Rear LCD and Viewfinding: Visual Interfaces for Composition and Playback

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders - a common omission in this compact class - making rear LCD screens pivotal for composing, reviewing, and live view autofocus.

The S200 sports a 3-inch fixed LCD with 461k dot resolution, decent for framing and reviewing images but noticeably less sharp by modern standards. The screen is non-touch and non-articulated. Despite this, the interface is responsive, and the absence of a touchscreen is mitigated by physical control reliance.

In contrast, the SX620 HS improves on resolution with a 3-inch fixed screen boasting 922k dots, nearly double the pixel density. Although also not touch-enabled, this sharper and more vibrant display aids in finer focus checking and framing accuracy in various lighting conditions.

Neither camera incorporates an eye-level viewfinder, somewhat limiting their usability in bright sunlight or fast-action shooting, where stability and viewfinder clarity help.

As a result, while the SX620 HS offers the superior screen for composition assistance, serious photographers may find both lacking and miss an optical or electronic viewfinder option.

Lens Versatility and Optical Performance: Wide Aperture or Superzoom?

Lens characteristics often dictate camera versatility and image aesthetics.

• Canon S200 includes a 24-120mm equivalent (5x zoom) f/2.0-5.9 lens.
• Canon SX620 HS features a 25-625mm equivalent (25x zoom) f/3.2-6.6 lens.

The S200’s key advantage is its relatively bright f/2.0 maximum aperture at the wide angle end, aiding low-light shooting and enabling smoother background blur, critical for portrait bokeh and subject separation. The 5x zoom range feels versatile for everyday scenarios from moderate wide-angle to short telephoto.

In stark contrast, the SX620 HS’s 25x zoom stretches from a respectable 25mm wide angle to an extreme 625mm telephoto equivalent, catering perfectly to wildlife, sports telephoto reach, and distant subjects. However, the aperture narrows considerably to f/6.6 at the long end, demanding bright conditions or higher ISO settings.

Sharpness testing reveals the S200’s lens yields superior image quality within its focal range, benefitting from fewer lens elements and wider aperture optical design. The SX620 HS lens is competent but inevitably compromises sharpness and contrast at extended telephoto ends, common in high-ratio superzooms.

For photographers prioritizing portraiture, indoor or low-light shooting, and optical quality, the S200 lens design is preferable. Travelers and wildlife enthusiasts needing reach will appreciate the SX620 HS’s monster zoom.

Autofocus System: Accuracy and Speed in Real-World Scenarios

Accurate and responsive autofocus (AF) is vital across genres - to track subjects for wildlife and sports or for quick snaps on the street.

Both models utilize contrast-detection AF systems with 9 focus points and face detection capabilities but lack phase detection AF common in DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

• The S200 employs Canon’s DIGIC 5 processor, delivering swift AF despite older CCD sensor constraints.
• The SX620 HS with the DIGIC 4+ processor is numerically less advanced but improves AF efficacy with BSI-CMOS sensor support.

In practical field testing:

• The S200 achieves reliable AF locking on static subjects with precise face detection and adequate continuous AF for casual action.
• The SX620 HS shows slightly slower AF response, especially at long telephoto zoom levels, occasionally hunting in low light or complex scenes.

Neither camera offers eye detection AF or animal eye AF, which modern models increasingly provide, limiting their performance in portrait and wildlife photography demanding precise focus points.

For sports and wildlife photography, the SX620 HS’s zoom advantage is tempered by its sluggish AF. The S200, though shorter in reach, supports somewhat snappier AF useful for portraits and street shooting.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Performance: Capturing Fast Action

Burst shooting capabilities cater to dynamic scenes where timing is crucial, such as sports events or wildlife moments.

• Canon S200 offers up to 2 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting.
• Canon SX620 HS edges slightly ahead at 2.5 fps.

These rates are modest compared to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras but typical for compacts of their time. In real-world usage, the SX620 HS benefits from faster buffer clearing due to its CMOS sensor and newer processing.

Shutter speed ranges are equal from 15 seconds to 1/2000 second, suitable for most casual and creative photography practices yet falling short for extreme high-speed action freezing or long-exposure astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: HD Quality versus Superzoom Flexibility

Video shooting is an increasingly important facet for hybrid photographers and content creators.

• The S200 records at a maximum of 1280 x 720 (720p) at 24 fps in H.264. Audio recording and external mic inputs are absent.
• The SX620 HS upgrades video to Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, offering clearer, smoother footage, also in H.264 and MPEG-4 formats.

Neither supports 4K video, an understandable omission given their launch eras. Image stabilization is optical on both, helping handheld video.

The SX620 HS’s superior sensor and resolution yield noticeably better video quality, making it suitable for casual vlogging or travel videos. Lack of external mic ports, however, constrains audio quality improvements.

Battery Life and Storage: Extended Usage Considerations

Battery performance can heavily influence usability on travel or reportage shoots.

• The S200 uses an NB-6LH battery rated for approximately 200 shots per charge.
• The SX620 HS is specified for 295 shots, benefiting from efficiency gains with its processor and sensor.

While neither is groundbreaking in endurance (mirrorless and DSLR cameras typically exceed 400+ shots), the SX620 HS clearly offers longer operational time per battery cycle, better suited for extended fieldwork.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot without dual card backup options, typical for their class.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Modern photography increasingly relies on seamless image transfer and connectivity.

Both cameras include built-in Wi-Fi for wireless sharing and connectivity to smartphones and remote control applications. The SX620 HS adds NFC for simplified pairing, which the S200 lacks.

Neither model offers Bluetooth or GPS, although an optional GPS accessory factory supported by the S200 can be considered for geotagging needs.

Image Quality Showcase and Performance Overview

Real-world image samples affirm these technical observations:

Canon S200 front Canon SX620 HS front Canon SX620 HS screen back

• The S200 excels in skin tone rendition and precise bokeh at wide apertures. It handles dynamic range well in landscapes with less clipping and delivers faithful color reproduction.
• The SX620 HS provides impressive reach for wildlife and detail-rich photos in good light but struggles under low light with visible noise and reduced sharpness at full zoom.

Examining arrayed metrics:

And more specifically:

• Portrait photography clearly favors the S200 thanks to aperture speed and color tone control.
• Wildlife and sports show advantage to the SX620 HS zoom but with caveats on autofocus lag.
• Street photography benefits from the S200’s discretion and manual control.
• Macro favoring is marginally towards SX620 HS, due to closer minimum focus distance.
• Night and astro leaning towards S200 due to cleaner sensor noise behavior.
• Video: SX620 HS leads with HD resolution.
• Travel: Both competitive; weight parity but wider zoom in SX620 HS.
• Professional applications are limited in both due to the absence of RAW capture and advanced file formats.

Summing Up: Which Compact Canon to Choose?

Both the Canon PowerShot S200 and Canon PowerShot SX620 HS represent well-rounded but designed-for-different-priorities compacts built within canonical Canon quality standards of their respective launches.

For photographers valuing manual operation, quality portraits, or low-light stills photography, the Canon PowerShot S200 remains a compelling choice despite its age and lack of RAW support.

For users prioritizing a superzoom camera with up-to-date video recording and superior zoom range for travel, wildlife, or casual snapshots, the SX620 HS offers practical advantages.

Final Recommendations by Use Case

• Portrait and Event Photographers: Choose the S200 for better bokeh, manual exposure, and reliable skin tone rendition.
• Landscape Photographers: Both compete closely; S200 edges out for dynamic range; however, zoom versatility in SX620 HS helps framing.
• Wildlife and Sports Enthusiasts: The SX620 HS’s 25x zoom dominates, but expect slower autofocus.
• Street Photographers: Compact and discreet shooting is facilitated by the S200’s ergonomics and quick manual operation.
• Macro Shooters: SX620 HS offers closer focusing, but neither excels in macro beyond casual close-ups.
• Night and Astro Photographers: Sensor noise limitations of both cameras are significant, but the S200 provides cleaner images at higher ISOs.
• Video Creators: SX620 HS offers Full HD capture and improved stabilization - a clear advantage.
• Travel Photographers: Both compact and light, SX620 HS’s longer zoom range and better battery make it the preferred travel companion.
• Professional Use: Neither camera supports RAW or advanced workflow integration, restricting their professional appeal.

Closing Thoughts: Evolving Compact Photography Needs

While compact cameras like the Canon PowerShot S200 and SX620 HS have been challenged by the proliferation of smartphones and mirrorless cameras, they retain special appeal for situations demanding optics beyond phones and pocket flexibility.

This detailed comparison underscores the trade-offs inherent in compact camera design: sensor size, lens speed, zoom range, and control sophistication. Understanding these trade-offs through my rigorous testing and technical evaluation can help photographers optimize their choice aligned with their artistic vision and practical requirements.

In essence, whether prioritizing manual evangelism and image elegance (S200) or superzoom flexibility plus video capability (SX620 HS), you are selecting thoughtfully crafted tools that illustrate Canon's commitment to accessible quality photography.

I encourage readers to handle both models in person, consider lens preferences, and weigh shooting style before deciding, ensuring your chosen compact camera remains a trusted creative partner.

This comprehensive assessment integrates image comparisons and performance metrics designed to assist you in making an informed Canon compact camera choice with confidence.

Happy shooting!