• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon SX210 IS
SX210 IS vs SX230 HS
Panasonic LX5
LX5 vs LX7
Successor: Canon SX260 HS
SX230 HS vs SX260 HS
Panasonic LX10
LX7 vs LX10
General
Model Number: SX230 HS LX7
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $349.99 $499.99
Street Price: $269.00 $297.00
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2012-08-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
10.5 oz (297 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
4.4 x 2.6 x 1.8 in.
(111 x 67 x 46 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 10.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.92 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:   50
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   20.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   11.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   147
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)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
3776 x 2520 (9.5 MP, 3:2),
3168 x 2112 (6.7 MP, 3:2),
2656 x 1768 (4.7 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 1408 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
3968 x 2232 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
3328 x 1872 (6.2 MP, 16:9),
2784 x 1568 (4.4 MP, 16:9),
2208 x 1248 (2.8 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 2736 (7.5 MP, 1:1),
2304 x 2304 (5.3 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1920 (3.7 MP, 1:1),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.2 11.1
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/​60i/​30p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
1280x720 (120p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) AVCHD or MP4, with stereo sound
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes No
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 LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX; 11 elements in 10 groups (5 Aspherical Lenses / 9 Aspherical surfaces / 2 ED Lenses (1 Aspherical ED lens), 1 Nano Surface Coating Lens)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 392mm 24 - 90mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 70mm 4.7 - 17.7mm
Zoom Ratio: 14.00x 3.80x
Aperture Range: f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0 f/1.4 (wide) / f/2.3 (tele) - f/8 using multistage diaphragm with 3 step ND filter
Integrated ND Filter: No Yes
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
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 Standard up to 4x, Intelligent Zoom up to 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) Contrast Detect: Face / AF Tracking / Multi (23pt) / 1pt (flexible / scalable)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   Optional EVF in hot shoe (DMW-LVF2) Optional OVF in hot shoe (DMW-VF1)
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 920,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   6400
Minimum ISO (native):   80
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, iISO, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800* (* by pixel mixed readout), 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Incandescent, Color Temperature (2-axis adjustable), White Set 1, White Set 2
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 250 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE Intelligent Multiple, Center-Weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
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: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Panorama shot, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Handheld Night Shot, HDR, Food, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, Glass Through, 3D Photo; Creative Control: Expressive, Retro, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Star Filter, One Point Color, Radial Defocus, Smooth Defocus
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2, 10, 3 in 10 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/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Flash Synchro; 1st/2nd Slow Sync
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)) 0.8 - 8.5m (Wide/ISO Auto), 0.3 - 5.2m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) AVCHD or MP4, with stereo sound
Included Memory: No memory included 70.0 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 Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI Mini HDMI (Type C) with Viera Link
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.03 0.77
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.75
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   16
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.79
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.2 11.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   12
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   12
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   12
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.40 seconds 0.24 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):   0.255 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.45 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.090 seconds 0.010 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full AF shutter lag, 23-area: 0.228s Full AF shutter lag, Quick mode: 0.246s
Startup Time: 2.0 seconds 3.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.2 seconds 3.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots 330 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 3.6V 1250mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Canon software suite PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.3 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio, Adobe Reader
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. Power OIS optical image stabilization, Full HD video up to 60p, raw capture, AF Tracking, Intelligent D-range Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Recognition, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent HDR (High Dynamic Range), Intelligent Handheld Night Shot and Motion Deblur modes, 11 fps full-resolution burst mode, 5 fps with Continuous AF. Available in black or white.