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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS 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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX40 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX60 HS
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Canon SX230 HS versus Canon SX50 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both built by Canon. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the SX50 HS (12MP) is very similar and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was announced 18 months before the SX50 HS making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SX230 HS grades versus the SX50 HS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SX50 HS

 SX230 HS SX50 HS 
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SX50 HS SX230 HS 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2011Newer by 18 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX50 HS

 SX230 HS SX50 HS 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display resolution461k461kIdentical display resolution
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS provides outside measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Canon SX50 HS has measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX230 HS versus Canon SX50 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX230 HS versus the SX50 HS.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and SX50 HS is 91 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by going over technical specs. The image below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and SX50 HS.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of files but you should consider the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged SX230 HS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography info
Canon SX50 HS Portrait photography info
34
has manual focus
comes with face detect focusing
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
48
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX230 HS
Street photography with Canon SX50 HS
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography factors
Canon SX50 HS Sports photography factors
36
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
39
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX50 HS as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition in class (223g)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great zoom (392mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (210 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
53
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (595 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography details
Canon SX50 HS Landscape photography details
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (210 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX50 HS as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
58
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not have microphone port
more heavy than average in class (595g)
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX50 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX50 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSCanon PowerShot SX50 HS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-19 2013-01-15
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Digic 5
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.8 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 202 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 gr (0.49 lb) 595 gr (1.31 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 179
Other
Battery life 210 images 315 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NB-10L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $399 $429