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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
Portability
89
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS 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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Previous Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX240 HS
Canon SX720 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Old Model is Canon SX710 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX730 HS
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are produced by Canon. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and SX720 HS (20.3MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was introduced 5 years earlier than the SX720 HS which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX230 HS matches up against the SX720 HS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SX720 HS

 SX230 HS SX720 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SX720 HS SX230 HS 
LaunchedFebruary 2016July 2011More modern by 55 months
Screen resolution922k461kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX720 HS

 SX230 HS SX720 HS 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS comes with outside dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Canon SX720 HS has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX230 HS against the SX720 HS.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and SX720 HS is 91 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by looking through specs. The image underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and SX720 HS.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SX720 HS to provide you with greater detail using its extra 8.3MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX230 HS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography features
Canon SX720 HS Portrait photography features
34
manual focus
supports face detect focus
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
47
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX720 HS as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (270g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX720 HS Sports photography highlights
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
48
excellent zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.9 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery life (250 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography information
Canon SX720 HS Travel photography information
61
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery power (210 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
67
lighter than competition in class (270 grams)
decent sensor resolution (20.3MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (960mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery life (250 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX720 HS as a Landscape photography camera
41
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
50
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20.3 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (250 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX230 HS
Vlogging with Canon SX720 HS
34
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (270g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
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Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX720 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Canon SX720 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSCanon PowerShot SX720 HS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Canon PowerShot SX720 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-19 2016-02-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology DIGIC 6
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 20.3 megapixel
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 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-960mm (40.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 5.9fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 gr (0.49 pounds) 270 gr (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
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 shots 250 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NB-13L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $399 $379