• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS 50D
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon 40D
40D vs 50D
Canon SX210 IS
SX210 IS vs SX230 HS
Successor: Canon 60D
50D vs 60D
Canon SX260 HS
SX230 HS vs SX260 HS
General
Model Number: 50D SX230 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1399.00 $349.99
Street Price: $999.95 $269.00
Date Available: 2008-10-15 2011-03-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.0 oz (822 g)
includes batteries
7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in.
(146 x 108 x 74 mm)
4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon  
Effective Megapixels: 15.1 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.99 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.6x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.4  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 696  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4752 x 3168 (15.1 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2352 x 1568 (3.7 MP, 3:2)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.3 3.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​6/​3/​1.5)
640x480 (30/​120/​6/​3/​1.5)
320x240 (30/​240)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF/EF-S n/a
Lens: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 45 - 216mm 28 - 392mm
Focal Length (actual): 28 - 135mm 5 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.82x 14.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5-22 (W), f/5.6-36 (T) f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 72.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values:   Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: AF-dedicated CMOS Sensor, 9 cross-type AF points, f/2.8 rotated cross center point Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x mag., 22mm eyepoint. -3 to +1 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.59x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 3200 in 1/3 or 1EV steps, H1=6400, H2=12800 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Kelvin 2800K - 10,000K Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (9%), Spot (3.8%) Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Creative Auto, Green Zone, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, User1, User2 Movie Digest, Portrait, Landscape, Kids & Pets, SCN (Smart Shutter, High-speed Burst, Best Image Selection, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Beach, Underwater, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist), Creative Filter (Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap)
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: E-TTL II Auto, Manual (3 levels), Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE Lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 13.0 m / 42.7 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent Auto ISO: 2.5 - 11.5 ft. (W), 3.3 - 6.6 ft (T), 75cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m, (T))
Max Flash Sync: 1/250  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2  
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional  
Connections (extended): N3-type push-in terminal, HDMI mini out Mini HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 2.03
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.3 3.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 43  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.13 seconds 0.40 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.53 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.120 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.24 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.063 seconds 0.090 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF, Quick Mode: 0.85s Prefocus, Quick Mode: 0.108s Full AF, Face Detect: 1.97s Full AF, Live Mode: 2.06s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.9 seconds 6.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 640 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-511/A, BP-512; BG-E2N Battery Grip Proprietary NB-5L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeble Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-511A Lithium-ion rechargeble 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser Canon software suite
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X. Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 15.1-megapixel upgrade to 40D: APS-C, DIGIC IV, 920K LCD, HDMI Out, Vignetting Correction, AF Microadjustment for up to 20 lenses, new Creative Auto exposure mode, 4-step adjustable high-ISO NR, 4-step adjustable ALO, 6.3 fps, Face Detection in LV mode. Native ISO range, 1/3 stop adjustable up to 3,200. H1 is 6,400, H2 is 12,800. Variable RAW (15.1MP (L), 7.1MP(M), 3.8MP(S) in RAW). Optical Image Stabilization, Canon HS system, Full HD 1080p24 movies, PASM exposure modes, HDMI output, Built-in GPS geo-tagging, Movie Digest. Available in black, blue and red.