• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 13.2 megapixels
  • 30.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
  • Nikon Coolpix S32
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon SX210 IS
SX210 IS vs SX230 HS
 
Successor: Canon SX260 HS
SX230 HS vs SX260 HS
 
General
Model Number: SX230 HS S32
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $349.99 $129.95
Street Price: $269.00 $298.98
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2014-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
6.2 oz (175 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
4.2 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(108 x 66 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No Yes
Waterproof Depth: n/a  
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 13.2
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 17.28mm2 (4.8mm x 3.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.15 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 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)
4160 x 3120 (13.0 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.2 4.7
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​6/​3/​1.5)
640x480 (30/​120/​6/​3/​1.5)
320x240 (30/​240)
1920x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p/​15p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) MOV (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: LPCM stereo)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens NIKKOR; 6 elements in 5 groups
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 392mm 30 - 90mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 70mm 4.1 - 12.3mm
Zoom Ratio: 14.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0 f/3.3 (wide) / f/5.9 (tele); Electronically-controlled ND filter (–2 AV) selection
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) Contrast Detection: Center, Face detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 230,000 dots (76,666 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   1600
Minimum ISO (native):   125
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 125-1600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash, Preset manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE Matrix, Center-weighted (digital zoom less than 2x), Spot (digital zoom 2X or more)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: 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) Backlighting, Soft, Neon Effect, Close-up, Mirror, Diorama effect, Fireworks Show, Food, Cartoon Effect, Bubble Effect, Night Scenes, Picture Series, Interval shooting, Underwater
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 10, smile seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Manual (3 levels), Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE Lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 2.5 - 11.5 ft. (W), 3.3 - 6.6 ft (T), 75cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m, (T)) Auto ISO: [W]: 0.3 to 3.1m (1 ft. to 10 ft.) [T]: 0.6 to 1.7m (2 ft. to 5 ft. 6 in.)
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) MOV (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: LPCM stereo)
Included Memory: No memory included 25.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: Yes No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI Micro (Type-D) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.03  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.2 4.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   11
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): 0.40 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):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.090 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.0 seconds  
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.2 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots 220 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary EN-EL19
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL19 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon software suite Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 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. Waterproof (up to 33 feet, 10m) and shockproof (up to 5 feet, 1.5m). Available in white or blue.