Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 vs Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 was introduced in June 2010 and Canon PowerShot SX230 HS was introduced in July 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 over Canon PowerShot SX230 HS.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX230 HS over Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot SX230 HS has a 3.0" screen with 461k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.83x (0.55x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon PowerShot SX230 HS.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 features a 14.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Canon PowerShot SX230 HS features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 2576, 3408 x 2272, 3408 x 1920, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX230 HS is equipped with DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2248, 4000 x 2664, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1200 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

Built-in GPS on Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has an HDMI and Canon PowerShot SX230 HS has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 comes with NP-FH50 battery pack with battery life of 290 shots and Canon PowerShot SX230 HS comes with NB-5L battery pack with battery life of 210 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a single SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Canon PowerShot SX230 HS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX230 HS. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps. Canon PowerShot SX230 HS can shoot continuously up to 3.2 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 10.00 m at ISO 100 on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and 3.50 m on Canon PowerShot SX230 HS. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 body has dimensions of 128 x 97 x 86 mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.39") and Canon PowerShot SX230 HS body has dimensions of 106 x 62 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.44 x 1.3"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 weighs 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX230 HS weighs 223 g (0.49 lb / 7.87 oz).

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

128 mm

97 mm

106 mm

62 mm

97 mm

62 mm