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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Announced July 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX240 HS
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was revealed 2 years later than the ZR1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX230 HS grades vs the ZR1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Panasonic ZR1

 SX230 HS ZR1 
ReleasedJuly 2011July 2009More recent by 25 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Canon SX230 HS

 ZR1 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic ZR1

 SX230 HS ZR1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS has got physical measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR1 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SX230 HS and the ZR1.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and ZR1 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The graphic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and ZR1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical MP so you can expect similar quality of images although you will need to consider the age of the products into consideration. The fresher SX230 HS provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX230 HS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
34
you can focus manually
supports face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
20
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (210 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition (223 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
57
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX230 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging factors
34
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (223g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
28
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic ZR1
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-07-19 2009-07-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Venus Engine V
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 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
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) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 grams (0.49 lb) 158 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $399 $280