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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 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
  • Replaced the Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon SX230 HS versus Panasonic S1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the S1 (12MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was announced 7 months after the S1 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX230 HS scores vs the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Panasonic S1

 SX230 HS S1 
LaunchedJuly 2011January 2011More modern by 7 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Canon SX230 HS

 S1 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic S1

 SX230 HS S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys outer dimensions 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 S1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Canon SX230 HS versus Panasonic S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the S1.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and S1 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by looking through technical specs. The pic underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and S1.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos but you really should factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more recent SX230 HS provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX230 HS
Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
34
manual focus
supports face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography features
Panasonic S1 Sports photography features
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competition in class (223g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
great zoom (392mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
62
lighter than average (117 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
41
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
33
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic S1
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-07-19 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
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
AE bracketing
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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 gr (0.49 pounds) 117 gr (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 240 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $399 $269