• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
  • Olympus Tough TG-850
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 TG-850
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $349.99 $249.99
Street Price: $269.00 $249.00
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2014-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
7.7 oz (218 g)
Size: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
4.3 x 2.5 x 1.1 in.
(110 x 64 x 28 mm)
Waterproof: No Yes
Waterproof Depth: n/a  
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   BSI CMOS
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG 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)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.2 7.0
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 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
1280x720 (120p)
432x324 (240p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) MOV/H.264 with stereo sound (AVI/Motion JPEG for HS movies)
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 Olympus Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 392mm 21 - 105mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 70mm 3.7 - 18.7mm
Zoom Ratio: 14.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0 f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.7 (tele) - ??
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
10 cm to Infinity
3.9 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
1 - 10 cm
0.4 - 3.9 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x (2x Super Resolution Zoom)
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) Contrast Detection: Face Detect AF, iESP Auto, Spot AF, AF Tracking
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 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   6400
Minimum ISO (native):   125
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, High, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent1, Underwater, One-touch
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 Digital ESP Metering, Spot Metering
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) Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Interval Shooting (1-99 frames, 0-60 min start timer, 10sec-60min interval time), Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Sport, Indoor, Self Portrait, Sunset, Fireworks, Cuisine, Documents, Beach & Snow, Under Water Snapshot, Under Water Wide, Under Water Wide, Under Water Macro, Backlight HDR); Super Macro, Panorama, Hand-Held Starlight, e-Portrait; Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone, Fish Eye, Sparkle, Reflection, Fragmented)
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2, 12, Pet auto-shutter 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, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-In, Off, LED
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)) TBD
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/H.264 with stereo sound (AVI/Motion JPEG for HS movies)
Included Memory: No memory included 37.0 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 Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI Multi-Terminal (USB Connector, Audio/Video Output, DC input), 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 7.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   6
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 300 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary LI-50B
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary LI-50B 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 OLYMPUS Viewer software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows Vista/7/8, Mac OS X10.6+
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 to 33ft/10m; Crushproof to 220lbf/100kgf; Shockproof to 7ft/2.1m; Freezeproof to 14°F/-10°C; Dustproof. Available in black, silver or white.