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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
47
Overall
41

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS 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
  • Superseded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX240 HS
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was revealed 6 months prior to the SZ-31MR iHS so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX230 HS grades vs the SZ-31MR iHS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 SX230 HS SZ-31MR iHS 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SZ-31MR iHS SX230 HS 
Display resolution920k461kCrisper display (+459k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 SX230 HS SZ-31MR iHS 
AnnouncedJuly 2011February 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX230 HS comes with outer dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the SZ-31MR iHS.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and SZ-31MR iHS is 91 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and SZ-31MR iHS.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to result in extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography advice
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography advice
34
has manual focus
includes face detect focus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX230 HS
Street photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (223g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography information
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (210 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than others in class (223g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (210 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
supports touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery power (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography information
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery power (210 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
40
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery power (200 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging info
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging info
34
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (223 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
34
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSOlympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-19 2012-02-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Dual TruePic V
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 9.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 grams (0.49 lb) 226 grams (0.50 lb)
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 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 photos 200 photos
Battery type 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $399 $0