• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Panasonic LX7

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 3.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    392 mm vs 90 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 45 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    218g vs 297g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic LX7 advantages over Canon SX230 HS

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.92 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.4 vs f/3.1
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.24 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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.

  • Fast lens; Sharp lens; Rock-solid image stabilization; Fast autofocus and shutter lag; Level gauge.

  • Sluggish startup; Battery life lower; Switches can change accidentally; Slow buffer clearing.

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
Panasonic LX7
Samsung HZ35W
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

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
Panasonic LX7
Canon SX210 IS
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

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
Panasonic LX7
Olympus SZ-10
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Samsung EX2F

Canon SX230 HS
Samsung EX2F
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
Panasonic LX7
Samsung EX2F
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic LX10

Canon SX230 HS
Panasonic LX10
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic LX7
Panasonic LX10
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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