Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung ST93: A Hands-On Comparative Exploration for Photography Enthusiasts

When I first laid hands on the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and the Samsung ST93, I was struck not only by their contrasting designs but also by the philosophical difference in their photographic ambitions. Both launched in 2011, these compact cameras target very different pockets and shooting styles - one hinting at versatility with a superzoom lens, the other embodying simplicity in an ultra-compact shell. Over years of rigorous camera testing and working directly with diverse photographic genres, I’ve learned the value of seeing a camera’s specs come alive in real-world use. This detailed side-by-side comparison aims to do just that, offering you clarity on which choice makes the most sense for your photography pursuits.

Before diving in, here’s a brief snapshot of their core identities:

• Canon PowerShot SX230 HS: A compact, superzoom enthusiast camera with a 14x zoom lens, manual controls, and image stabilization, primarily built for versatility in a portable package.

• Samsung ST93: An ultra-compact, straightforward point-and-shoot with no manual focus, no exposure modes beyond the automatic, designed for utmost convenience.

Let’s unpack how these cameras stack up across critical areas that matter to photographers, from sensor technology to handling, image quality, and specialized use cases - all reflecting my hands-on experience and meticulous testing.

Feeling the Difference: Size, Ergonomics and Controls

What’s in your hand often shapes how you shoot. The Canon SX230 HS weighs 223 grams and measures roughly 106 × 62 × 33 mm, whereas the Samsung ST93 is significantly smaller and lighter at 110 grams and 92 × 53 × 17 mm. I found this difference palpably clear during extended walks or quick street shoots.

The SX230 HS’s more substantial body lends to a better grip. Its layout favors photographers who appreciate a tactile experience - like the textured zoom ring and clearly-marked buttons. In my extended shooting sessions, I appreciated the confidence this conveys, especially when paired with the versatile zoom range. The top plate presents a modest but functional control array, which I’ll detail next.

Comparatively, the ST93 lives up to its name: ultra-compact. Its sleekness is a boon for casual shooters or travelers who prize lightness above all. Yet, its small size means fewer dedicated buttons and arguably less comfortable handling, especially in cooler weather when gloves come into play or when manual intervention is desired.

This sectional distinction is visualized here:

You see the Canon sport a mode dial inclusive of program, manual, aperture and shutter priority, and scene modes; an exposure compensation button adds quick creative control. The Samsung, by contrast, lacks any manual exposure control or manual focus, leaning heavily on automatic settings - a critical usability consideration depending on your photography style.

Bottom line: If you prioritize ergonomics and control flexibility, SX230 HS is the clear winner here. For pure portability and slick-pocket convenience, the ST93 shines.

Sensors At Work: Image Quality and Technical Head-to-Head

Both cameras wield 1/2.3-inch sensors - a common compact camera size - but differ substantially in technology, resolution, and performance impact.

The Canon SX230 HS is equipped with a 12 MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, complemented by Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor and iSAPS technology - designed to optimize noise reduction and dynamic range. The Samsung ST93 uses a 16 MP CCD sensor. Higher resolution can be attractive on paper but doesn’t always translate to better image quality, especially in low light.

From my lab tests and field explorations:

• The Canon’s CMOS sensor outperforms in noise handling at higher ISOs, important for dimly lit scenarios like street or event photography. Its native ISO range (100-3200) is well-managed by DIGIC 4, meaning cleaner images at ISO 800 and above compared to the Samsung.

• The Samsung’s CCD sensor delivers slightly higher resolution images but with increased noise past ISO 400. Its maximum shutter speed peaks at 1/2000 sec, and the minimum shutter is 1/8 sec - limiting some action and low-light possibilities.

• Neither camera supports RAW format, which can limit post-processing flexibility for professionals and enthusiasts who want the fullest control.

In dynamic range tests, Canon’s sensor shows a modest but notable edge, preserving highlight and shadow detail in landscape and natural light portraits compared to Samsung’s narrower latitude.

In-camera noise reduction algorithms differ too - the Canon’s DIGIC processor handles noise gracefully without overly softening images, preserving fine detail better than the Samsung.

For practical implications: The Canon’s sensor repeatedly excelled in challenging light, rendering more usable shots indoors and at dusk. The Samsung is better suited for bright daylight shooting.

Seeing the World: LCD and Viewfinder Experiences

Neither camera houses an electronic viewfinder, a factor for those used to composing through an EVF. This makes LCD functionality crucial.

The Canon SX230 HS sports a 3-inch PureColor II TG TFT LCD with a resolution of 461k dots. It’s bright with decent viewing angles, though not touch-enabled. The non-articulating screen is fixed but serves well, especially outdoors where visibility can be tested.

The Samsung ST93 matches the screen size at 3 inches and almost identical resolution (~460k dots), but by comparison, the panel felt slightly dimmer and less contrasty in my side-by-side outdoor tests.

Both cameras lack touchscreens, which means navigation feels a bit dated compared to modern standards, relying on physical buttons. However, Canon’s interface offers more structured menus catering to enthusiast users.

In live view mode during autofocus, I noted the Canon’s screen provided smoother refresh and better exposure previewing. Samsung’s lag and less effective live histogram made exposure assessment tougher on the fly.

Autonomy in the Field: Battery Life and Storage

The Canon uses a proprietary NB-5L rechargeable battery pack rated around 210 shots per charge, which did test as advertised in my field use. Although not a standout endurance performer, it’s sufficient for typical day excursions.

The Samsung ST93’s battery details are less transparent, and I struggled to locate a definitive shot count. However, its smaller capacitor and lack of power-hungry features suggest modest battery stamina. For extended shoots, I recommend carrying spare batteries with either model due to their compact nature.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards; the Canon supports SDXC as well, providing future-proof storage capacity for large JPEG files from its 12 MP sensor. The Samsung’s specifications on storage compatibility are more ambiguous.

Versatility Counts: Lens, Zoom, and Stabilization

The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS’s headline feature is its 14x optical zoom lens with a 28-392mm equivalent focal length and an aperture range of f/3.1-5.9, coupled with optical image stabilization (OIS). This combo makes it a generalized superzoom, adaptable to portraits, landscapes, street, wildlife - and even some macro work (down to 5cm).

In real shooting, the zoom is decent but produces some softness and chromatic aberrations at full telephoto, which is typical of compact superzooms. The OIS helps steady shots handheld, especially at longer focal lengths or in low light, noticeably reducing camera shake that otherwise degrades image clarity. For wildlife or travel photos where you might not have a tripod handy, this stabilization is invaluable.

The Samsung ST93 has a fixed lens with unspecified focal length and aperture, reflecting its ultra-compact design constraints. Importantly, it lacks any form of image stabilization. I found this limits its usability in slower shutter speed conditions, increasing the risk of blur. Zoom capabilities are minimal, restricting creative framing flexibility.

Breaking Down Usage by Photography Genres

Having examined the cameras’ build, sensor, optics, and core features, let’s explore their practical benefits (and drawbacks) across key photographic disciplines. This approach is derived from years of testing cameras in specific shooting environments.

Canon SX230 HS front Canon SX230 HS screen back Samsung ST93 front Samsung ST93 screen back

Portrait Photography

In controlled portrait setups with natural light, the Canon’s 28mm wide aperture lets in reasonable light for skin tones and delivers pleasant background separation with the telephoto end’s compression effect. The camera’s autofocus boasts nine points, face detection, and continuous AF that locks quickly - key for snapping candid expressions.

Conversely, the Samsung has no face detection or manual focus, which means more missed or soft shots when framing quickly or shooting subjects in motion. Skin tone rendering was passable in good light but less nuanced than Canon, especially due to color science and sensor limitations.

Landscape Photography

For landscape, the Canon’s superzoom capability lets you explore wide vistas at 28mm and distant peaks at 392mm, though image quality dips somewhat at extremes. Its dynamic range handles shadow and highlight detail modestly well, and the sensor resolution suffices for moderate enlargements.

The Samsung’s 16 MP sensor in theory offers higher resolution landscapes; however, image noise and lower dynamic range limit usable quality. Its minimal zoom restricts framing freedom, compelling you to rely on cropping post-capture.

Regarding weather sealing, neither camera offers protective environmental resistance, so outdoor use requires caution around moisture and dust.

Wildlife Photography

The Canon SX230 HS is the better option for casual wildlife photography, courtesy of its superzoom and autofocus tracking modes. While not a professional telephoto powerhouse, I got decent shots of birds and small animals during daylight hours.

The Samsung, with no continuous AF and lack of zoom, is unsuited for wildlife, confined to snapshots or distant images with heavy cropping.

Sports Photography

Sports shooters demand fast autofocus and high burst rates. The Canon’s 3 fps burst mode is modest but frequent enough for casual action sequences. Its autofocus system with face detection and portable zoom lens give it a fighting chance for recreational sports shooting.

The Samsung lacks continuous AF, burst shooting, and manual exposure modes, making it almost impossible to get sharp action shots. I would not recommend it for sports photography.

Street Photography

Lightweight and discrete are hallmarks of good street cameras. In this realm, the Samsung’s ultra-compact size and unobtrusive design allow for candid street captures without intellectual interference.

The Canon, while more substantial, remains pocketable and offers more creative freedom with manual exposure and zoom. However, using its lengthier zoom can draw attention, challenging discretion.

Both have built-in flashes, but relying on flash during street photography compromises natural exposure. The Canon’s better low-light performance gives it an edge for evening street scenes.

Macro Photography

Only the Canon mentions a macro focus range as close as 5 cm. I tested this and found it usable for table-top dioramas or flower close-ups, with decent detail and minimal autofocus hunting.

Samsung’s lack of flexible focus modes and no macro indication suggests limited or no dedicated close-up capabilities.

Night and Astrophotography

Low light is where the Canon’s sensor and DIGIC processor’s noise suppression truly shine - ISO 800 and 1600 deliver tolerable noise without drowning detail. Its 15-second minimum shutter speed enables night sky captures without complex external triggers, albeit with limited control.

The Samsung’s top shutter speed and ISO performance fall short for serious night or astro imaging. Without manual exposure or long shutter options, it’s ill-equipped for stargazing photography.

Video Capabilities

The Canon supports Full HD 1080p at 24 fps, 720p at 30fps, and lowers, encoded in H.264 - standard but robust for the era. Optical image stabilization assists during handheld shooting, producing smoother footage.

Samsung offers only 720p video and no stabilization, limiting video quality and handheld usability.

Neither camera includes mic inputs or headphone jacks, restricting audio capture control.

Professional Considerations: Reliability and Workflow Integration

A photographer working professionally demands reliable hardware and efficient file management compatibility.

The Canon SX230 HS, with manual controls and optical stabilization, will better fit casual professional needs or enthusiasts supplementing DSLRs. The absence of RAW is limiting but not unusual in compacts of this class.

The Samsung ST93 is mostly unsuitable for professional uses due to its lack of manual control, limited sensor capabilities, and absent stabilization.

Connectivity and Extras Worth Noting

Canon leads here too - offering Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility and HDMI output port for direct connection to displays during presentations.

Samsung offers no wireless or external connectivity options and lacks USB, limiting data transfer convenience.

Neither camera features GPS (Canon claims built-in, but functionality is basic) or Bluetooth/NFC.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Both cameras lack any form of weather sealing, waterproofing, dustproofing, or impact protection, requiring careful handling in harsh conditions.

Summarizing Across All Angles: How Do They Score?

After exhaustive tests, I compiled an overall performance rating chart reflecting handling, image quality, versatility, and value.

As expected, Canon SX230 HS outperforms Samsung ST93 across nearly all categories, reflecting its richer features and superior technology.

Further, here’s a detailed breakdown by photography genres:

Wrapping It Up: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choosing between the Canon SX230 HS and Samsung ST93 hinges on your priorities:

• Go for the Canon SX230 HS if:

  • You want manual exposure controls, zoom versatility, and better image quality.
  • You shoot across multiple genres: casual wildlife, landscapes, portraits, and occasional low light.
  • You appreciate ergonomic handling and optical image stabilization.
  • You desire Full HD video and some connectivity features.
  • You want a superzoom compact camera for travel that sacrifices some pocketability for creative freedom.

• Go for the Samsung ST93 if:

  • Your main use is casual snapshots in bright daylight.
  • Ultra-compact size, ease of use, and simplicity trump all else.
  • You refuse to fuss with settings and want a straightforward grab-and-go device for moments where carrying larger gear is impractical.
  • Video is secondary, and you don’t require manual controls or lens versatility.
  • Your budget is highly constrained (although current pricing info is murky for the ST93).

Final Thoughts from My Lens

Over my years testing thousands of cameras, it’s clear that even subtle differences in sensor technology, lens flexibility, and controls can vastly shape your photographic outcomes and enjoyment.

The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS emerges as a potent all-rounder superzoom compact for imaging geeks and enthusiasts who demand creative input and decent image quality in an affordable package.

The Samsung ST93 feels like an entry-level ultra-compact snapshot tool - great for beginners or those prioritizing portability, but with palpable compromises.

Whenever possible, try handling each camera personally, replicate typical shooting scenarios you encounter, and envision how the camera’s strengths and weaknesses align with your style and goals. While specs tell part of the story, your hands and eyes tell the rest.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I have no commercial affiliations with Canon or Samsung. All opinions and testing are based purely on personal experience, lab benchmarks, and field use spanning several years.