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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Old Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX240 HS
Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Updated by Canon SX510 HS
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both produced by Canon. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and SX500 IS (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was introduced 13 months prior to the SX500 IS which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX230 HS scores versus the SX500 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SX500 IS

		

		

			
 SX230 HS SX500 IS 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon SX230 HS

		

		

			
 SX500 IS SX230 HS 
RevealedAugust 2012July 2011More recent by 13 months
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX500 IS

		

		

			
 SX230 HS SX500 IS 
Manual focus  More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution461k461kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen  Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen  Neither features Touch friendly screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

		

		

			
When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys outside dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Canon SX500 IS has proportions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the SX500 IS.
Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison
Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and SX500 IS is 91 and 80 respectively.
Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Generally, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching specs. The visual underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and SX500 IS.
All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Canon SX500 IS to render more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older SX230 HS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.
	
			Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography info
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography info
34
 manual focus
 features face detect focusing
 cannot use external flash
 resolution not great (12MP)
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 has no RAW support
46
 has manual focus
 flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600s)
 decent MP (16MP)
 offers face detect focus
 cannot use external flash
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary
Street Comparison
Canon SX230 HS Street photography details
Canon SX500 IS Street photography details
60
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than others in class (223g)
 fixed screen
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 has no RAW support
51
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 fixed screen
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison
Canon SX230 HS Sports photography factors
Canon SX500 IS Sports photography factors
36
 excellent zoom range (28-392mm  14.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 features tracking focus
 very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
 resolution not great (12MP)
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
 has no phase detect AF
44
 excellent zoom range (24-720mm  30.0 x zoom)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 offers tracking focus
 slow fps (1.0 fps)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 bad battery life (195 CIPA)
 lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Canon SX230 HS
Travel photography with Canon SX500 IS
61
 lighter than others in class (223g)
 has built in flash
 fairly wide (28mm)
 great reach (392mm)
 lack of Time Lapse mode
 bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
 resolution not great (12 megapixels)
 display is not selfie friendly
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
59
 decent MP (16MP)
 built-in flash
 really wide (24mm)
 long zoom (720mm)
 lack of Time Lapse recording
 bad battery life (195 per charge)
 does not offer selfie friendly screen
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Canon SX230 HS
Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
41
 manual focus
 fairly wide (28mm)
 screen size is good (3")
 image stabilization (Optical)
 can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
 resolution not great (12MP)
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 has no RAW support
 bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
 lack of Time Lapse mode
46
 has manual focus
 really wide (24mm)
 screen size is decent (3")
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16MP)
 cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
 very small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
 bad battery life (195 CIPA)
 lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Canon SX230 HS Vlogging info
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging info
34
 fairly wide (28mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 features face detect focusing
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 lighter than others in class (223g)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
 display is not selfie friendly
 lack of mic port
28
 really wide (24mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 offers face detect focus
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
 does not offer selfie friendly screen
 video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
 lack of mic socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-19 2012-08-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Touch focus    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Live view autofocus    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Number of focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Screen technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash    
AE bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/1600 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 H.264
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
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 lbs) 341g (0.75 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting    
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $399 $299