X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS review: Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Headshot of Joshua Goldman
Headshot of Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials
  • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
Joshua Goldman
10 min read

The PowerShot SX230 HS is Canon's top compact megazoom featuring a 28mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with a 14x zoom. It's the same lens used in 2010's SX210 IS and the body is for the most the same, too. The major change is to the camera's imaging sensor; the SX210 had a 14-megapixel CCD while SX230 has a 12-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS. Without getting into the technical differences, what you need to know is that the new sensor produces better low-light photos and has faster shooting performance than that of its predecessor. Canon also built in a GPS receiver for geotagging your photos while you're shooting--a first for a PowerShot.

7.5

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

The Good

The <b>Canon PowerShot SX230</b> HS has good low-light photo quality for its class; excellent color; shooting options that encourage experimentation; and great-looking video quality.

The Bad

Its shooting performance, though good, lags behind the competition as does its GPS functionality. The battery life is short and the overall design could use some help, too.

The Bottom Line

If you want a compact megazoom with manual controls, GPS, and excellent photo quality, the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS is a good place to start.

However, while its photos--and movies--are pretty great for its class, the SX230's shooting performance is a bit behind the competition. Its lens isn't as wide or as long as similarly sized models and Canon doesn't do as much as others with the GPS capabilities, either. Plus, everything about the design that was off with the SX210 is still off with the SX230. You'll have to decide if my issues are deal breakers for you, though, because it's otherwise a very good compact megazoom.

7.5

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Score Breakdown

Design 7Features 8Performance 7Image quality 8