Clicky

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX240 HS
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Canon SX230 HS versus Sony G3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is relatively similar and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The SX230 HS was unveiled 2 years later than the G3 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SX230 HS grades against the G3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Sony G3

 SX230 HS G3 
LaunchedJuly 2011January 2009Fresher by 31 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Canon SX230 HS

 G3 SX230 HS 
Screen dimension3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Sony G3

 SX230 HS G3 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS features physical dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Sony G3 has measurements of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX230 HS versus Sony G3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the G3.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and G3 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specs. The photograph below might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and G3.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon SX230 HS to offer you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger SX230 HS will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography highlights
Sony G3 Portrait photography highlights
34
has manual focus
offers face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
25
has manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography advice
Sony G3 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (223 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
Sports photography with Sony G3
36
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (210 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography information
Sony G3 Travel photography information
61
lighter than competitors (223 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery life (210 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography highlights
Sony G3 Landscape photography highlights
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
35
has manual focus
bigger than average screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging highlights
Sony G3 Vlogging highlights
34
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (223 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
27
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SX230 HS vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Sony G3
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-07-19 2009-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focus range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 1s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 lbs) 185 grams (0.41 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $399 $200