Canon PowerShot S200 vs SX710 HS: The Small Sensor Compact Showdown

When stepping into the realm of compact cameras with small sensors, Canon commands attention with its PowerShot lineup. Among these, the PowerShot S200 and the SX710 HS are two models often debated due to their shared brand heritage but distinct feature sets. As someone who has tested hundreds of cameras across genres and price tiers over 15 years, I’m intrigued by what these two bring to the table in 2024’s evolving landscape. What do these models offer photography enthusiasts and pros looking for a reliable pocketable companion? Which one truly fits your style and needs?

Let’s unpack the hands-on differences with a clear-eyed, evidence-based approach, covering sensor technology, ergonomics, shooting versatility, and image quality across the full spectrum of photographic uses.

Compact Size Meets Daily Versatility: Handling and Ergonomics in Focus

First impressions count in compact cameras, especially for travel and street photographers who prize discretion and ease of use. With dimensions of 100 x 59 x 26 mm and a weight of 181 grams, the S200 is noticeably sleeker and lighter than the SX710 HS’s chunkier 113 x 66 x 35 mm form-factor tipping the scales at 269 grams. That’s almost a 50% weight increase in favor of the S200.

The slimmer profile of the S200 makes it a natural fit for pockets and quick-grab captures - essential for street shooters blending into the background. The SX710 HS’s somewhat beefier build contributes to a more substantial grip, which I found beneficial for long zoom handling and steadier shooting, especially when using telephoto focal lengths. The physical heft offers confidence during extended handheld sessions, though it may deter ultra-lightpack enthusiasts.

Examining top deck control layouts reveals a typical compact-camera minimalism on both. Neither camera sports a dedicated electronic viewfinder, instead relying on fixed 3-inch LCDs for framing and review. The S200’s screen resolution stands at a modest 461k dots, while the SX710 HS doubles that to 922k dots - a detail that influences user interface clarity under bright outdoor conditions.

Button placement and tactile responsiveness lean slightly toward the SX710 HS, offering a better grip and more intuitive dial interactions for exposure adjustments, thanks to its newer DIGIC 6 processor integration. The S200’s controls feel more dated, with smaller buttons that demand precise fingerwork, less ideal for gloves or in-field quick adjustments.

Overall, the S200 excels as a pocket-friendly lightweight shooter that emphasizes portability. The SX710 HS, by contrast, trades some compactness for a more robust, ergonomically pleasant experience that better tackles diverse shooting scenarios.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Paintbrush vs. Zoom Lens

Arguably the heart of photography lies in the sensor. Here, we see the S200 equipped with a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm and delivering a resolution of 10 megapixels. The SX710 HS houses a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), yet with a significantly higher 20-megapixel count.

While megapixels matter for cropping and printing large, sensor size impacts light-gathering ability, dynamic range, and noise control more profoundly. In this regard, the S200’s larger CCD sensor – despite its age – fares well with lower noise at base ISOs and a natural color rendition prized in portraiture and controlled lighting.

However, the SX710 HS’s back-illuminated CMOS sensor coupled with a faster DIGIC 6 engine brings advantages in burst shooting, high ISO noise reduction, and improved AF speed - critical for action and wildlife.

Testing in controlled studio environments reveals the S200’s CCD sensor produces slightly cleaner shadows and smoother gradual-tone skin renditions, earning accolades for portraitists seeking flattering skin tones without aggressive noise reduction artifacts.

The SX710 HS balances its smaller sensor with increased pixel density, yielding sharper details at 20 MP but also showing more noise at ISO settings above 800 - a tradeoff typical in small-sensor superzoom cameras.

Despite the resolution advantage, the SX710 HS’s maximum native ISO tops out at 3200, half the S200’s 6400 - though in practice, I found usable image quality above ISO 800 only from the S200 when shooting ambient-lit interiors.

LCD Screen and User Interface: The Window to Your Creativity

As mentioned, both cameras rely on fixed 3-inch LCDs without EVFs, but their quality and responsiveness differ.

The SX710 HS’s higher-resolution screen (922k dots) leads to sharper live view and playback, a boon for previewing fine details and confirming focus during travel or nature shoots. That said, neither model offers touchscreen controls, which feels like a missed opportunity in an era where tactile feedback expedites navigation, especially in menus.

Both models implement menu systems familiar to Canon users, with shortcut buttons for essential settings like ISO and white balance. The SX710 HS benefits from a more modern interface flow, reflecting its newer DIGIC 6 chipset, whereas the S200’s UI can feel a bit dated and less fluid, occasionally requiring several button presses to access critical controls.

These differences might seem subtle but matter significantly if you frequently adjust exposure or shooting modes between assignments.

Lenses and Zoom: The Tale of Two Fangs

The lenses define each camera’s primary photographic strength.

The S200 sports a 24-120mm (equivalent) 5x zoom with a bright maximum aperture range from f/2.0 at wide end to f/5.9 at telephoto. This faster aperture at the wide end makes it excellent for low-light shooting and achieving shallow depth-of-field for portraits with pleasing bokeh - a characteristic often lacking in compact cameras.

In contrast, the SX710 HS’s lens is a monster 30x zoom covering 25-750mm equivalency, but with a slower maximum aperture range from f/3.2 to f/6.9. This impressive reach empowers wildlife and sports shooters who need to bring distant subjects close without lugging telephoto primes.

I assessed both lenses on sharpness, distortion, and aperture flexibility. The S200’s optics deliver consistently sharper wide-angle images and more control over background blur. The SX710 HS is impressively versatile at the telephoto end but compromises aperture speed, limiting its usefulness in dim conditions - tripod use becomes more relevant here.

Its extended zoom, paired with optical image stabilization (both cameras have it), made the SX710 HS superior for handheld telephoto shooting in the field despite slower apertures.

Focus Systems: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus without phase-detection points, a sensible choice given their sensor and price class.

Each provides face detection and continuous AF capabilities - useful for casual portraiture and tracking subjects.

The SX710 HS, however, gets the edge in AF speed, operating at approximately 0.3 seconds in good light, thanks to the DIGIC 6 processor’s enhancements. It also supports continuous shooting at 6 fps, triple the S200’s leisurely 2 fps burst rate.

Canon S200 front Canon SX710 HS front Canon SX710 HS screen back

This performance gap is most noticeable in subjects with fast movements - sports and wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the SX710 HS’s responsiveness.

Conversely, the S200’s autofocus is adequate for static scenes and slower-moving street subjects but can struggle in low contrast or dim lighting.

Neither camera offers phase-detection or hybrid AF, and face tracking performance, while functional, falls short compared to modern mirrorless cameras, especially indoors or when the subject moves quickly.

Real-World Photography Use Cases: Matching Cameras to Your Vision

Let’s apply these specs and hands-on insights to key photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

The S200 shines with its larger sensor, fast f/2.0 aperture at 24mm, and natural CCD color science. Skin tones render smoothly, and respectable bokeh is achievable given its lens design. The 9-point AF with face detection is reliable in good light. However, limited native ISO flexibility demands well-lit scenes or flash assistance.

The SX710 HS, while higher resolution, shows harder skin textures and less pleasing color rendition due to sensor type and noise reduction artifacts. Bokeh is generally weak at f/3.2–6.9 apertures, though the 30x zoom can creatively isolate subjects at longer focal lengths.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters value dynamic range, resolution, and weather-sealed gear.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, limiting outdoor endurance.

The S200’s superior sensor size provides cleaner shadows and satisfactory dynamic range, although its 10MP resolution restricts large prints or aggressive cropping.

The SX710 HS’s 20MP sensor offers more detail but with increased noise and less pleasing shadow nuance. Its superzoom lens, starting at 25mm equivalent, adds compositional flexibility for distant panoramas and detail shots.

Neither camera supports RAW file capture, requiring in-camera JPEG processing - a significant consideration for landscape enthusiasts who rely on post-processing latitude.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Here, the SX710 HS’s 30x zoom, faster AF, and 6 fps burst mode outperform the S200’s modest 5x zoom and slower 2 fps rate.

The longer reach makes it possible to capture distant animals and action without lenses changing or extra gear.

I tested the SX710 HS on a casual field shoot; it tracked moving birds effectively in daylight, though autofocus struggled under low light or heavy motion, revealing system limits.

The S200’s tighter zoom and slower AF made distant subjects inaccessible and hard to track.

Street Photography

Stealth, portability, and quick responsiveness matter most. The S200’s slim form and fast 24mm f/2.0 aperture empower low-light street captures and unobtrusive shooting.

The SX710 HS, although pocketable for a superzoom, feels heavier and invites more notice.

Slower maximum aperture and noisier images at higher ISOs make the SX710 less ideal for dimly lit street scenes.

Macro Photography

Close focusing capabilities favor the SX710 HS with a 1 cm minimum macro distance compared to the S200’s 3 cm.

Its superzoom lens maintains focus at close range but with limited aperture speed, restricting depth control and background blur.

The S200’s wider aperture and slightly larger sensor produce crisper details and better subject/background separation at close distances.

Neither camera offers focus stacking or focus bracketing - features that dedicated macro photographers might miss.

Night and Astrophotography

Low-light performance is driven by sensor size, noise handling, and exposure flexibility.

The S200’s larger CCD sensor and max ISO 6400 provide better control of noise in darker scenes, crucial for nightscape photography.

With shutter speeds up to 15 seconds, shooting star trails or urban nightscapes is feasible, though noise remains a challenge.

The SX710 HS limits max shutter to 3200 ISO and 15 sec speeds but generally yields noisier images in dark environments - less suitable for astrophotography enthusiasts.

Video Capabilities

Video is a secondary feature on both cameras.

The S200 shoots 720p HD at 24 fps, using H.264 codec, while the SX710 HS steps up to Full HD 1080p at 60 fps with MPEG-4 and H.264 compression.

Neither offers microphone input or headphone monitoring, limiting audio control and professional usage.

Optical image stabilization assists steady handheld video in both.

SX710 HS’s better video specs make it more appealing to casual videographers and vloggers.

Travel and Everyday Use

Travel photographers value versatility, battery life, and durability.

The SX710 HS has a slight advantage in battery life (230 vs. 200 shots), aiding longer excursions without recharge.

Both accept common SD cards and do not offer dual slots, so managing storage in the field requires diligence.

Wireless connectivity is built into both, though only the SX710 HS supports NFC - useful for effortless smartphone pairing.

Neither camera boasts weather sealing - a gap when trekking through rugged environments.

Build Quality, Durability, and Battery Considerations

Neither model is weather or shockproof, which limits their reliability under extreme outdoor conditions or professional locations prone to dust or moisture.

Both utilize Canon’s NB-6LH batteries; while offering decent longevity for their class, heavy shooters will want spares.

Connectivity is minimal beyond USB 2.0 and HDMI ports; SX710 HS’s NFC is a small bonus for faster sharing workflows.

Who Should Choose the S200 or SX710 HS?

At roughly $293 for the S200 and $349 for the SX710 HS (street prices), these cameras target budget-minded buyers seeking Canon reliability.

Choose the Canon PowerShot S200 if:

• Priority is image quality for portraits and still scenes over zoom range.
• You prefer better low-light performance and smoother skin tones.
• Compactness, lighter weight, and pocket-friendliness are critical.
• You seldom need telephoto or high burst rates.
• Shooting stills primarily, with casual video recording.

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX710 HS if:

• You need extensive zoom reach for wildlife, travel, or sports scenarios.
• Video recording in 1080p at 60 fps is a must.
• Faster autofocus and higher burst frame rates improve your shooting experience.
• You don’t mind a slightly bulkier body for more versatile focal coverage.
• NFC connectivity for quick sharing matters.

Verdict: A Tale of Two Compacts Serving Different Masters

In the hands of a seasoned user, the Canon PowerShot S200 impresses with elegant image quality and true pocket portability, making it ideal for purist photographers emphasizing subtle tonal rendition and lightweight travel. Meanwhile, the more modern SX710 HS extends reach and versatility with a powerful zoom, improved video capabilities, and faster handling, making it a better pick for multimedia enthusiasts and adventure seekers who prize adaptability.

Neither camera is perfect - a lack of RAW capture and weather sealing limits professional applications, and autofocus performance trails behind mirrorless standards. But in the compact category, these remain solid performers tailored to distinct priorities. Which model suits you best depends on your photographic journey’s demands: purity of image or breadth of zoom - and with this comparative breakdown, you can decide with informed confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions: Real-World Advice

Can I shoot RAW images on either camera?

No - both cameras capture only JPEG files, which limits post-processing flexibility. Enthusiasts needing RAW should look elsewhere.

How do these cameras handle in low light?

The S200’s larger sensor and faster lens deliver better low-light images with lower noise up to ISO 800; the SX710 HS struggles beyond ISO 400.

Is the 30x zoom on the SX710 HS useful for wildlife?

Yes, it allows framing distant subjects without extra lenses, but autofocus speed and image quality at full zoom and lower light are limiting factors.

Can I rely on these cameras for professional work?

Not for demanding professional assignments due to build limitations, lack of advanced autofocus, no RAW output, and modest sensor size.

With these insights and hands-on evaluations, you are well equipped to make the best choice between Canon’s PowerShot S200 and SX710 HS. Happy shooting!