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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Old Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Overview

Below, we are looking at the Canon SX20 IS versus Canon SX230 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are sold by Canon. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the SX230 HS (12MP) is fairly well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was revealed 12 months earlier than the SX230 HS so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the SX230 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SX20 IS SX230 HS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX230 HS SX20 IS 
IntroducedJuly 2011July 2010More modern by 12 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX230 HS

 SX20 IS SX230 HS 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Canon SX230 HS has proportions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs).

See the Canon SX20 IS versus Canon SX230 HS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the SX230 HS.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and SX230 HS is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking specifications. The pic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and SX230 HS.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution so you should expect similar quality of images although you should always factor the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography features
37
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
focusing manually
offers face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Canon SX230 HS
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography details
Canon SX230 HS Sports photography details
34
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography details
Canon SX230 HS Travel photography details
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition (223g)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (392mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (210 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
35
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
41
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery pack (210 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Canon SX230 HS
50
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
34
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (223g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone socket
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX230 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISCanon PowerShot SX230 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-392mm (14.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - PureColor II TG TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 223 grams (0.49 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 210 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $399