• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 125 - 6400

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Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Pentax Q

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 3.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.40 vs 0.71 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax Q advantages over Canon SX230 HS

  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 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
    5.3 fps vs 3.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 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
  • 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

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
  • 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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Buy the Pentax Q
Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Kit with 8.5mm Lens

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

  • The first genuinely compact--almost pocket-friendly--compact system camera, paired with equally small, interchangeable lenses. Great ergonomics for the size, and it feels like a real camera, not a computer with a lens.

  • Very restrictive lens selection at launch. All but two current lenses have severe limitations in functionality. Performance is sluggish, and image quality trails large-sensor cameras by some distance.

  • Read our Pentax Q 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

Pentax Q
Samsung HZ35W
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax Q 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

Pentax Q
Canon SX210 IS
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • More dots on screen
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax Q 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

Pentax Q
Olympus SZ-10
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Pentax Q vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Pentax Q10

Canon SX230 HS
Pentax Q10
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax Q10

Pentax Q
Pentax Q10
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax Q10

Compared to Pentax Q7

Canon SX230 HS
Pentax Q7
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax Q7

Pentax Q
Pentax Q7
  • $695
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax Q vs Pentax Q7

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