Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-12
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs
(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
- Replaced the Canon SX210 IS
- New Model is Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Revealed January 2012

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
Lets examine more closely at the Canon SX230 HS versus Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX230 HS was brought out 5 months prior to the SZ-12 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX230 HS matches up versus the SZ-12 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS & Olympus SZ-12. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX230 HS Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Olympus SZ-12
SX230 HS | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SX230 HS
SZ-12 | SX230 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SZ-12
SX230 HS | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2011 | ![]() | January 2012 | Similar age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX230 HS has got physical dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-12 has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX230 HS versus Olympus SZ-12 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX230 HS against the SZ-12.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and SZ-12 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and SZ-12.
As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-12 to deliver more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a little more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Olympus SZ-12 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Olympus SZ-12 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-07-19 | 2012-01-10 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4288 x 3216 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/1700 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 223 grams (0.49 lbs) | 226 grams (0.50 lbs) |
Dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photos | 220 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-5L | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $399 | $350 |