PowerShot SX 230 HS Review

There are many professional photographers that are doing well with their hobbies. These photographers are well-equipped with the most powerful DSLR and handheld cameras. Even if they are not using the latest models, they know how to manually tweak their settings to take some very impressive and creative shots. Although Camera makers are still trying to find ways to improve their flagship models, the smaller ultraportable cameras have plenty of room for improvement.

Each year, ultraportables become more attractive inside and out but they still have a few minor weaknesses including video recording, manual controls, and presence of noise especially during low light situations. With Canon having a respectable lineup of models that are superior in areas outside these weaknesses, Canon is finally ready to tackle these weaknesses head on with the PowerShot SX 230 HS.

To get the PowerShot SX230HS at the best price : Click Here

Design

The PowerShot SX 230 HS is a lot like Canon’s old model that it succeeds which is the SX 210 IS and that model has received some rave reviews regarding the way Canon squeezed in all those controls. This time around, Canon made some nifty improvements to further perfect this portable super zoom design. The Mode Dial for instance has more options to accommodate some of the newer modes and features.

Perhaps the biggest improvement to the design is the screen. That does not look very apparent because it still has the same 3-inch widescreen display. The upgrade lies in the resolution going from the rock bottom 230,000 dots to an impressive 461,000 dots which is normally used for 3.5-inch displays. This means that 14.1 megapixel photos look more defined and the menus are much clearer to navigate.

Because it is a relative of the SX210 IS, the PowerShot SX 230 HS comes in red, blue, and black while leaving the purple and gold designs to the older model. With these improvements in, the camera still weighs about the same as the SX 210.

Usability

Canon made another nice design improvement that affects the way the camera is handled. It is a positive change for all those people that want easy access to the zoom toggling.

With the PowerShot SX 230 HS, the zoom toggle wraps around the shutter button. Considering the fact that this camera primarily targets those that want to enjoy a wide zoom flexibility, just about everyone should be happy with this change.

Image Quality and Performance

Canon’s answer to the low light weakness lies in the PowerShot SX 230′s new HS sensor. This effectively bumps up the max ISO to 3200 while the special Low Light scene mode doubles the cap to 6400. With these settings used correctly, less noise is present when taking photos under low light even if the flash is not used.

While the PowerShot SX 230 HS will impress people that want to tinker with manual controls, this camera is quite beginner friendly as well. Auto mode is a safe setting to use at it handles the AF beautifully.

It knows when the Macro mode is needed and the boost in screen resolution makes the MF more usable. It is also a very fast performing camera with minimal delays between menus and good image quality results thanks to the DIGIC 4 processor. Photos taken during the day look great especially when using the new Toy Camera mode.

Video Quality and Performance

Canon knows how to handle video recording well with its Continuous Image Stabilization technology. This technology is back and it complements some of the nice improvements on the way the PowerShot SX 230 HS records video. It now supports 1080p resolution at 24 fps and it supports the use of the 14x optical zoom while recording.

There is also a fun mode called “Super Slow Motion” which cranks up the fps so fun videos can be made. Like just about every point-and-shoot camera, good lighting is necessary to really appreciate the quality. However, it manages low light far better than its predecessors and even some competitors.

Bottom Line

There was very little to complain about with the PowerShot SX 210 IS and now SX 230 is here to open up even more possibilities now that the low light concerns are addressed.

It will not replace any entry-level DSLR in terms of overall quality but it is easily one of the most powerful and well-rounded digital cameras in the point-and-shoot division. It even managed to throw in some extras including SDXC memory card support and GPS.

With virtually no real weaknesses, the next thing that would be in the wish list for its successor would be a larger sensor.

To get the PowerShot SX230HS at the best price :