One of the most popular digital camera genres in recent years has been what some have called the "travel zoom". These compact cameras have typically featured lenses of around 10X - 14X, large LCDs, and HD movie modes. In 2011, camera manufacturers really put the "travel" in travel zoom, by adding GPS receivers to their cameras. So, not only do you now have a camera which can go anywhere, but you'll know exactly where you took the photo.
In this review I'll take a look at three of what will likely be the most popular models: the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V. I wanted to include the Fuji FinePix F550EXR and possibly the Olympus SZ-30MR in this comparison, but neither camera was available to review. The Casio Exilim EX-H20G was left out due to its smaller lens and lack of Full HD video recording.
This chart compares the features between the three cameras:
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Street price*
$349
$399
$349
Sensor size (type)
1/2.3" (CMOS)
1/2.33" (CMOS)
1/2.3" (CMOS)
Resolution
12.1 Megapixel
14.1 Megapixel
16.2 Megapixel
Focal range (zoom)
28 - 392 mm (14X)
24 - 384 mm (16X)
24 - 384 mm (16X)
Max aperture
F3.1 - F5.9
F3.3 - F5.9
F3.3 - F5.9
Macro distance
5 cm
3 cm
5 cm
LCD size / resolution
3.0" / 461,000 pixel
3.0" / 460,000 pixel
3.0" / 910,000 pixel
Touchscreen LCD
No
Yes
No
ISO range
100 - 3200
100 - 1600
100 - 3200
Flash strength
(Auto ISO)
0.8 - 3.5 m (W)
1.0 - 2.0 m (T)
0.6 - 5.0 m (W)
1.0 - 2.8 m (T)
0.3 - 5.6 m (W)
1.2 - 3.0 m (T)
Manual controls
Shutter speed, aperture, white balance, focus
Shutter speed, aperture, white balance
Shutter speed, aperture**, white balance, focus
AE bracketing
No
Yes
Yes
Burst mode
(At full res)
3.2 frames/sec
10 frames/sec
10 frames/sec
GPS: compass
No
No
Yes
GPS: landmark data
No
Yes
No
3D still capability
No
Yes
Yes
In-camera panorama creation
No
No
Yes (2D and 3D)
Max movie resolution
1920 x 1080 (24p)
1920 x 1080 (60i)
1920 x 1080 (60p)
Movie codecs
H.264
AVCHD, M-JPEG
AVCHD
Sound in movies
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Zoom in movies
Yes
Yes
Yes
Underwater case
Yes
Yes
No
Built-in memory
None
18 MB
19 MB
Supported memory cards
SD/SDHC/SDXC
MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
SD/SDHC/SDXC
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Battery life
210 shots
260 shots
300 shots
Dimensions
(W x H x D)
4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 in.
4.2 x 2.4 x 1.4 in.
Weight (empty)
195 g
197 g
215 g
Available colors
Black, red, blue
Black, red, blue, silver, brown
Black
* Prices obtained from B&H Photo-Video on 3/23/2011
** Limited to two aperture choices at any time
On paper, at least, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V looks to be the best of the bunch. Is that the case in reality? Well, you'll have to read the review to find out!
Before we continue, here's how this comparison is structured. I'll go over the basics of each camera, followed by sections comparing camera performance and photo quality, and a conclusion that wraps things up. Let's dive in now!
