Clicky

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX240 HS
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Released July 2011
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic LS5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The SX230 HS was announced at a similar time to the LS5 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX230 HS scores versus the LS5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Panasonic LS5

 SX230 HS LS5 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Canon SX230 HS

 LS5 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic LS5

 SX230 HS LS5 
ReleasedJuly 2011July 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys external measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LS5 has measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic LS5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SX230 HS vs the LS5.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX230 HS and LS5 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The photograph below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX230 HS and LS5.

All in all, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic LS5 to result in extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography information
Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography information
34
manual focus
comes with face detect focusing
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX230 HS
Street photography with Panasonic LS5
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Sports photography camera
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (160 shots)
no phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography details
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography details
61
lighter than competition (223g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
long zoom (392mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
lighter than competition (126 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (160 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography information
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography information
41
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
36
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery power (160 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging details
Panasonic LS5 Vlogging details
34
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (223g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
32
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic LS5
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-19 2011-07-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 grams (0.49 lbs) 126 grams (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 160 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID NB-5L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $294