Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic GX1

Cameras
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic GX1

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX230 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX230 HS.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GX1.

Succeeded by the Canon SX260 HS
Compare SX230 HS vs SX260 HS

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX7
Compare GX1 vs GX7

Compare CANON SX260 HS vs PANASONIC GX7

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Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Panasonic GX1

Less expensive
$350 vs $950 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Canon SX230 HS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.77 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~1.40 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

310 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.26 vs 0.40 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
60 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
4.1 fps vs 3.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Canon SX230 HS

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Review Excerpt

Great zoom range from 28mm to 392mm equivalent; Full HD and slow-motion video; excellent print quality.
Low battery life; some chromatic aberration; flash pops up when powered on every time.
Read our Canon SX230 HS Express Review

Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.
Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.
Read our Panasonic GX1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung HZ35W

Canon SX230 HS

Samsung HZ35W

$269
1/2.3 inch

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

$350
1/2.3 inch

More dots on screen
Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung HZ35W

Panasonic GX1

Samsung HZ35W

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$350
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Samsung HZ35W

Compared to Canon SX210 IS

Canon SX230 HS

Canon SX210 IS

$269
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Shoots 24p video

$262
1/2.3 inch

Longer stills battery life
More pixels

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX210 IS

Panasonic GX1

Canon SX210 IS

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$262
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Canon SX210 IS

Compared to Olympus SZ-10

Canon SX230 HS

Olympus SZ-10

$269
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$224
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-10

Panasonic GX1

Olympus SZ-10

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$224
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Canon SX230 HS

Olympus E-P3

$269
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$561
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GX1

Olympus E-P3

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Higher effective ISO

$561
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Canon SX230 HS

Panasonic GF6

$269
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$400
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1

Panasonic GF6

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Higher effective ISO

$400
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF6

Compare Other Cameras?