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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 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
  • Released July 2011
  • Previous Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX240 HS
Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic FH2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was unveiled 7 months after the FH2 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX230 HS matches up against the FH2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Panasonic FH2

 SX230 HS FH2 
AnnouncedJuly 2011January 2011More modern by 7 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Canon SX230 HS

 FH2 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic FH2

 SX230 HS FH2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS has exterior measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Panasonic FH2 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic FH2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the FH2.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and FH2 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out a spec sheet. The image below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and FH2.

Clearly, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic FH2 to provide extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger SX230 HS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography features
34
focusing manually
comes with face detection focusing
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
33
MP count good (14MP)
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography advice
Panasonic FH2 Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography info
Panasonic FH2 Sports photography info
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (270 CIPA)
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography features
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography features
61
lighter than competition in class (223g)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery pack (210 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
72
better than average battery power (270 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (121g)
supports focus by touch
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Landscape photography camera
41
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery pack (210 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
40
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
better than average battery power (270 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging details
Panasonic FH2 Vlogging details
34
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than competitors (121g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic FH2
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-19 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223g (0.49 lbs) 121g (0.27 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 270 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $399 $149