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Canon SX510 vs Sony H200

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2013 and January 2013. Both the SX510 and the H200 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 15.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon SX510
versus
Sony H200
Canon SX510   Sony H200
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 24-633mm f/3.1-5.9
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 15.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/24p Video 720/30p Video
ISO 80-3,200 ISO 100-3,200
No viewfinder, LCD framing No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 461k dots 3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3.8 shutter flaps per second 0.8 shutter flaps per second
250 shots per battery charge240 shots per battery charge
104 x 70 x 80 mm, 349 g 123 x 83 x 87 mm, 530 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon SX510 and the Sony H200 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon SX510 vs Sony H200
Compare SX510 versus H200 top
Comparison SX510 or H200 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony H200 is notably larger (40 percent) than the Canon SX510. Moreover, the H200 is substantially heavier (52 percent) than the SX510. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX510 nor the H200 are weather-sealed.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX510 104 mm 70 mm 80 mm 349 g 250 n Aug 2013 249ebay.com
2.
 
Sony H200 123 mm 83 mm 87 mm 530 g 240 n Jan 2013 249ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX430 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 323 g 195 n Jan 2017 299ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX420 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 195 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX410 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 185 n Feb 2015 279ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX520 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 441 g 210 n Jul 2014 399ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX700 113 mm 66 mm 35 mm 269 g 250 n Feb 2014 349ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX600 104 mm 61 mm 26 mm 188 g 290 n Jan 2014 249ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX400 104 mm 69 mm 80 mm 313 g 190 n Jul 2014 249ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon SX500 104 mm 70 mm 80 mm 341 g 195 n Aug 2012 329ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon B500 114 mm 78 mm 95 mm 541 g 600 n Jan 2016 299ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon L840 113 mm 78 mm 96 mm 538 g 590 n Feb 2015 299ebay.com
14.
 
Sony H400 130 mm 95 mm 122 mm 628 g 300 n Feb 2014 319ebay.com
15.
 
Sony H300 128 mm 89 mm 92 mm 590 g 350 n Feb 2014 219ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Canon SX510 and Sony H200 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the SX510 offers a slightly higher resolution of 15.9 megapixels, compared with 15.2 MP of the H200. This megapixels advantage translates into a 11 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the SX510 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.33μm versus 1.36μm for the H200). In this context, it should be noted, however, that the SX510 is a somewhat more recent model (by 7 months) than the H200, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 are ISO 100 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the SX510 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the H200 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

SX510 versus H200 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon SX510 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/24p20.011.358645
2.
 
Sony H200 1/2.3 15.2 5184 2930720/30p19.911.252944
3.
 
Canon SX430 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.511.990049
4.
 
Canon SX420 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.311.780648
5.
 
Canon SX410 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.211.672047
6.
 
Canon SX520 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.111.567246
7.
 
Canon SX700 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60p20.111.462945
8.
 
Canon SX600 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.011.462045
9.
 
Canon SX400 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p20.111.567246
10.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
11.
 
Canon SX500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 3456720/30p19.811.149443
12.
 
Nikon B500 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.311.781048
13.
 
Nikon L840 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/60i20.211.672147
14.
 
Sony H400 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
15.
 
Sony H300 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the SX510 provides a higher video resolution than the H200. It can shoot video footage at 1080/24p, while the Sony is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The SX510 and the H200 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX510 and Sony H200 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon SX510none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/1600s 3.8/s Y Y
2.
 
Sony H200none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX430none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX420none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX410none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon SX520none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon SX700none n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/3200s 8.5/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon SX600none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 3.9/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon SX400none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/1600s 0.8/s Y Y
10.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon SX500none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/1600s 0.8/s Y Y
12.
 
Nikon B500none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
13.
 
Nikon L840none n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 7.4/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony H400210 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/2000s 0.7/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony H300none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/1500s 0.8/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Both the SX510 and the H200 have zoom lenses built in. The SX510 has a 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 optic and the H200 offers a 24-633mm f/3.1-5.9 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Canon and Sony provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the Sony has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The H200 offers the faster maximum aperture.

The SX510 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the H200 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon SX510-stereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
2.
 
Sony H200-mono / mono---2.0---
3.
 
Canon SX430-mono / mono---2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon SX420-mono / mono---2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon SX410-stereo / mono---2.0---
6.
 
Canon SX520-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon SX700-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon SX600-mono / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon SX400-stereo / mono---2.0---
10.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
11.
 
Canon SX500-stereo / mono---2.0---
12.
 
Nikon B500-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
13.
 
Nikon L840-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony H400-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
15.
 
Sony H300-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
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It is notable that the SX510 offers wifi support, while the H200 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the SX510 and the H200 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The SX510 was replaced by the Canon SX520, while the H200 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the SX510 and H200 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX510 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony H200 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon SX510 and the Sony H200? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS:

  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/24p vs 720/30p).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/1600s vs 1/1500s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.8 vs 0.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • More compact: Is smaller (104x70mm vs 123x83mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 181g or 34 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 7 months after the H200).

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Reasons to prefer the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200:

  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.1 vs f/3.4).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2013).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SX510 is the clear winner of the match-up (8 : 2 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

SX510 08:02 H200

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX510 and the Sony H200 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the SX510 or the H200 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX510..+ +....4.5/54/5 Aug 2013 249ebay.com
2.
 
Sony H200........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2013 249ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX430........3.5/53.5/5 Jan 2017 299ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX420..........3/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX410..o........ Feb 2015 279ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX520..+....3.5/53.5/5 Jul 2014 399ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX700..+ +....4/54/5 Feb 2014 349ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX600..+....4/54/5 Jan 2014 249ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX400..+........ Jul 2014 249ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon SX500..+ +....4/54/5 Aug 2012 329ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon B500..+....4/53.5/5 Jan 2016 299ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon L840..+ +....3.5/54/5 Feb 2015 299ebay.com
14.
 
Sony H400..o....3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2014 319ebay.com
15.
 
Sony H300..+....4.5/54/5 Feb 2014 219ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Canon SX510 vs Sony H200

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon SX510 Sony H200
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 24-633mm f/3.1-5.9
    Launch Date August 2013 January 2013
    Launch Price USD 249 USD 249
    Sensor Specs Canon SX510 Sony H200
    Sensor Technology CMOS CCD
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels 15.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 2930 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm 1.36 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2 54.10 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/24p Video 720/30p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 BIONZ
    Screen Specs Canon SX510 Sony H200
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 461k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon SX510 Sony H200
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3.8 shutter flaps/s 0.8 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon SX510 Sony H200
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon SX510 Sony H200
    Battery Type Canon NB-6LH Sony 4xAA
    Battery Life (CIPA)250 shots per charge240 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80 mm
    (4.1 x 2.8 x 3.1 in)
    123 x 83 x 87 mm
    (4.8 x 3.3 x 3.4 in)
    Camera Weight 349 g (12.3 oz) 530 g (18.7 oz)
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