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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Key Specs

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
  • Announced July 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX240 HS
Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2016
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are manufactured by Canon. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and SX420 IS (20MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was announced 5 years earlier than the SX420 IS and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SX230 HS matches up vs the SX420 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SX420 IS

 SX230 HS SX420 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SX420 IS SX230 HS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016July 2011Fresher by 54 months

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX420 IS

 SX230 HS SX420 IS 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS offers outer measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Canon SX420 IS has measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the SX420 IS.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX230 HS and SX420 IS is 91 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through specifications. The visual underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX230 HS and SX420 IS.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX420 IS to render extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SX230 HS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Portrait photography camera
34
focusing manually
features face detection focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
features face detection focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography details
Canon SX420 IS Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (223g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
52
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
Sports photography with Canon SX420 IS
36
incredible zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (210 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
41
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
continuous shooting slow (0.5 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (195 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography information
Canon SX420 IS Travel photography information
61
lighter than others (223g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (392mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery life (210 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
megapixel count good (20MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (195 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography advice
41
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery life (210 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
47
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (195 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging info
Canon SX420 IS Vlogging info
34
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (223g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
29
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX420 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSCanon PowerShot SX420 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-07-19 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology DIGIC 4+
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-6.6
Macro focus distance 5cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 0.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223g (0.49 lb) 325g (0.72 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 photographs 195 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $399 $299