Clicky

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 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
  • Launched July 2011
  • Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Introduced May 2017
  • Succeeded the Olympus TG-4
  • Updated by Olympus TG-6
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the TG-5 (12MP) is very close and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SX230 HS was announced 6 years prior to the TG-5 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX230 HS scores versus the TG-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Olympus TG-5

 SX230 HS TG-5 
Display resolution461k460kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Canon SX230 HS

 TG-5 SX230 HS 
IntroducedMay 2017July 2011Newer by 70 months

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Olympus TG-5

 SX230 HS TG-5 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX230 HS comes with external dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-5 has sizing of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the TG-5.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and TG-5 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing specifications. The pic here should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and TG-5.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of images but you have to factor the age of the cameras into account. The more aged SX230 HS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Portrait photography camera
34
manual focus
includes face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
39
has manual focus
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography details
Olympus TG-5 Sports photography details
36
long zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
46
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
environment proof
great battery power (340 CIPA)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography details
Olympus TG-5 Travel photography details
61
lighter than competition in class (223g)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (210 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
great battery power (340 shots)
environment proof
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (250g)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Landscape photography camera
41
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
57
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
great battery power (340 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging factors
Olympus TG-5 Vlogging factors
34
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
34
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition (250g)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Olympus TG-5
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSOlympus Tough TG-5
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Olympus Tough TG-5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2011-07-19 2017-05-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology TruePic VIII
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223g (0.49 pounds) 250g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
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 340 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $399 $449