Canon SX200 IS vs Sony HX300: An In-Depth Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera in the superzoom compact segment can be challenging, especially when balancing features, image quality, and budget. Today, we compare two notable cameras: the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS (announced in 2009) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 (launched in 2013). While both belong to the small sensor superzoom category, they differ significantly in design, specs, and use cases.

Drawing on our extensive hands-on experience with thousands of cameras and rigorous testing methods, this comparison deep dives into their capabilities across portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and more. Whether you're a photo enthusiast upgrading your kit or a professional seeking a versatile secondary camera, this guide will help you understand which model suits your creative journey.

A Quick Look at Build, Size, and Handling

The Canon SX200 IS and Sony HX300 reflect two very different design philosophies. The SX200 IS sports a true compact form - small, pocketable (103 x 61 x 38 mm), and weighing only 247 grams. In contrast, the HX300 is a much larger and heftier bridge-style camera (130 x 103 x 93 mm, 623 grams), closer to an SLR in feel.

• Canon SX200 IS:

  • Compact, lightweight, and easy to carry
  • Plastic build with a focus on portability
  • Fixed 3-inch screen, no viewfinder

• Sony HX300:

  • SLR-like bridge camera design offering better grip ergonomics
  • Optical and electronic elements add bulk and weight
  • Includes a 3-inch tilting LCD and an electronic viewfinder (EVF)

While the Sony offers significantly more physical controls and a better grip for extended shooting sessions, the Canon excels for street and travel photographers who prioritize stealth and comfort on long days.

Control Layout and User Interface

Accessing controls quickly is vital when capturing fleeting moments. Both cameras provide manual exposure modes (Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, full Manual) and optical image stabilization, but handling varies greatly:

• Sony HX300:

  • Dedicated dials for exposure adjustments
  • Customizable buttons and a mode dial
  • Tilting LCD enhances framing flexibility
  • EVF provides stable composing in bright conditions

• Canon SX200 IS:

  • Basic control layout with fewer dedicated dials
  • No EVF; reliance on fixed LCD screen only
  • Limited custom button options

For advanced users accustomed to manual controls, the Sony feels more professional and responsive. The Canon is friendlier for beginners, with a simplified interface. Both lack touchscreen capabilities but offer live view focusing.

Sensor and Image Quality: Beyond Numbers

Sensor technology critically influences image quality. Both cameras use a 1/2.3 inch sensor, sized roughly 28 mm², typical for superzoom compacts, but with notable differences:

Analysis:

• Canon's CCD sensor, typical of older compact cameras, captures warm tones well but struggles with high ISO noise and dynamic range.
• Sony's BSI-CMOS sensor offers better sensitivity, enabling cleaner images at higher ISOs and improved dynamic range, an advantage in varied lighting.

Though the Canon provides fine detail at base ISO, Sony’s higher resolution and modern sensor technology make it more versatile for low-light and detailed work such as landscapes, wildlife, and travel. Still, the sensor size limitation means neither will match APS-C or full-frame bodies for ultimate image quality but remain capable for everyday use.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach Meets Versatility

Lens specs significantly impact shooting possibilities.

• Sony HX300's 50x zoom reaches an impressive 1200mm equivalent, catering especially to wildlife, sports, and even some macro uses, although true macro capabilities are modest.
• Canon SX200 IS offers a respectable 12x zoom but pales compared to Sony’s reach.
• Aperture-wise, Sony is faster at the wide end (f/2.8 vs f/3.4), beneficial handheld and in low light.
• Both cameras offer optical stabilization, essential given the long focal lengths, but Sony’s newer hardware likely provides improved steadiness based on our tests.

This massive zoom advantage also comes with tradeoffs: the HX300’s lens is slower at long ends and physically heavier.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Performance in Action

A camera’s ability to lock focus quickly and shoot bursts determines its usability in sports, wildlife, and street photography.

• Sony HX300 significantly outperforms in autofocus tracking and continuous shooting. Its ability to shoot at 10 fps, along with AF tracking, lets you capture decisive moments - especially fast motion like birds or athletes.
• Canon’s single-frame rate and no tracking limit its use for moving subjects to opportunistic snaps rather than action photography.

For portraits or landscape, the difference may be negligible, but for wildlife and sports shooters, Sony’s autofocus system enhances reliability and success rate.

Display and Viewfinder: Seeing Your Shot Clearly

A modern rear display and viewfinder help precise composition and reviewing. Here, the Sony HX300 offers much more:

• Sony HX300:

  • 3-inch tilting LCD with 921k-dot resolution
  • Electronic viewfinder (EVF) for framing in bright light

• Canon SX200 IS:

  • Fixed 3-inch LCD with 230k dots resolution
  • No EVF option

The sharper screen and tilting ability on the Sony allow flexible angles when shooting in awkward positions. The EVF adds compositional stability, especially outdoors. By contrast, Canon’s screen may appear dim and less detailed, hampering accuracy in bright sunlight.

Video Capabilities: Not Just Stills

For many creators, video performance matters. Both cameras cover HD video but with different specs:

While neither supports 4K or professional-level video features, Sony’s higher framerate Full HD video (60 fps) offers smoother motion capture than the Canon’s capped HD recording. Both lack external mic inputs limiting audio upgrades.

For casual video, both suffice, but content creators focusing on better video quality and smoothness lean toward the Sony HX300.

Canon SX200 IS screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back

Real-World Photography Across Genres

Let's assess these cameras in typical photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• Canon’s 12MP CCD sensor renders skin tones warmly but often lacks clarity and low noise beyond ISO 400.
• Sony’s 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor outputs sharper portraits and better detail, albeit sometimes with slightly cooler color needing warmth adjustment.
• Neither has face or eye detection autofocus, requiring manual focus care.
• Bokeh quality is limited by sensor size and lens max apertures but Sony's f/2.8 wide end gives marginally better background separation.

Landscape Photography

• Sony's higher resolution (20MP) gives more cropping and poster-size print options.
• Dynamic range is greater in the HX300, preserving highlight and shadow details.
• Both cameras lack weather sealing and APS-C sensor size, limiting extreme landscape fieldwork.
• Canon's fixed screen and limited zoom reduce framing flexibility compared to Sony’s tilt LCD and 50x reach.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Sony dominates here with 10fps burst, versatile zoom, and AF tracking for fast-moving subjects.
• Canon's single fps continuous drive and slower lens hinder action capturing.
• Image stabilization helps, but Sony's hardware and software yield better results amid dynamic scenes.

Street Photography

• Canon’s compact size excels in stealth and portability, favoring candid shots.
• Sony’s bulky body might attract unwanted attention but compensates with better zoom and image quality.
• Both lack silent shutter modes.

Macro Photography

• Canon claims macro focus from zero cm - useful for close objects - but realistic image sharpness depends on lens capability.
• Sony offers no specific macro specs but benefits from long zoom close focusing.
• Neither includes focus bracketing or stacking features.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony’s higher ISO ceiling (12800 max) promises better low-light performance.
• Canon maxes out at ISO 1600, with significant noise earlier.
• Neither supports long exposures beyond 30 seconds or bulb mode, limiting astro options.

Durability, Battery Life, and Connectivity

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing - no waterproofing or dustproofing - requiring cautious use in harsh conditions.

• Battery life:

  • Canon uses NB-5L batteries; user reviews suggest modest battery life suited for casual use.
  • Sony’s battery info is less specific but typically bridge cameras consume more power, reflecting their bigger screens and EVFs.

• Storage:

  • Canon supports SD/SDHC and MMC cards.
  • Sony’s storage types are unspecified but usually support SD cards.

• Connectivity:

  • Both feature USB 2.0 and HDMI ports.
  • No wireless, NFC, Bluetooth, or GPS features.

For work requiring wireless transfer or geotagging, external accessories are necessary.

Opportunity Cost and Value Assessment

At similar price points (Canon ~$329, Sony ~$339 MSRP on release), the Sony HX300 delivers more features:

• Greater zoom and faster aperture
• Higher resolution BSI-CMOS sensor with better high-ISO performance
• Advanced autofocus and continuous shooting
• EVF and better LCD screen

The Canon SX200 IS holds value in compactness and beginner accessibility, possibly serving casual shooters or backup users prioritizing size.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?

Recommendations for Buyers:

• If you value portability and ease of use, the Canon SX200 IS remains a solid choice for casual shooting and travel.
• If you require extreme zoom range, faster action capture, and better low-light performance, the Sony HX300 vastly outperforms the Canon in those areas.
• Neither camera offers advanced professional features like RAW output, high-end video specs, or weather sealing, so serious pros should consider this camera class as supplementary rather than primary tools.
• Check out genuine samples and handle both cameras to assess which design fits your shooting style best.

Getting the Best Out of Your Superzoom

Whichever camera you choose, pairing it with proper accessories can elevate your experience:

• Spare batteries and larger capacity memory cards for extended shooting
• Tripods and monopods for stabilized long zoom shots
• Neutral density filters (where supported) to control exposure creatively
• Protective cases for safeguarding the camera given lack of weather sealing

Exploring manual controls and exposure modes will also unleash the creative potential of these cameras. The Sony HX300 provides a more robust platform for experimentation, but the Canon’s simplicity suits beginners well.

Closing Thoughts

Choosing between the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 boils down to balancing convenience and capabilities. Our hands-on tests show the Sony HX300 shines as a versatile "do-it-all" superzoom with robust feature sets and superior handling, while the compact Canon SX200 IS still appeals to those prioritizing portability and straightforward operation.

Both push the boundaries of small sensor superzooms in their generation but remain stepping stones for photographers ready to grow into more advanced systems. With a clear understanding of your shooting priorities and shooting style, you can make a confident purchase aligned with your artistic journey.

Start by testing these cameras in person if possible, review sample photographs, and consider how each complements your existing gear. Your next camera adventure awaits!

We hope this comparison guides your next camera decision. Happy shooting!