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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS front
Portability
80
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX240 HS
Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX500 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX520 HS
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are built by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the SX510 HS (12MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX230 HS was revealed 3 years before the SX510 HS and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX230 HS matches up vs the SX510 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SX510 HS

 SX230 HS SX510 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SX510 HS SX230 HS 
AnnouncedAugust 2013July 2011Fresher by 25 months

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX510 HS

 SX230 HS SX510 HS 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution461k461kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys physical dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Canon SX510 HS has dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the SX510 HS.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and SX510 HS is 91 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The visual here might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and SX510 HS.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution and you should expect similar quality of pictures although you might want to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The older SX230 HS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography factors
Canon SX510 HS Portrait photography factors
34
you can focus manually
has face detect autofocus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
focusing manually
supports face detection autofocus
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography info
Canon SX510 HS Street photography info
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
Sports photography with Canon SX510 HS
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
36
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX510 HS Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competition (223 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX230 HS
Landscape photography with Canon SX510 HS
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
40
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery power (250 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging highlights
Canon SX510 HS Vlogging highlights
34
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (223g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
31
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX510 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX510 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSCanon PowerShot SX510 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-19 2013-08-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Digic 4
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias 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 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 461k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, slow synchro, off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 gr (0.49 lbs) 349 gr (0.77 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 All around 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 shots 250 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L NB-6LH
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 One One
Cost at launch $399 $249