• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
  • Ricoh WG-5 GPS
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 WG-5 GPS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $349.99 $379.95
Street Price: $269.00 $296.95
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2015-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
8.3 oz (236 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
4.9 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(125 x 65 x 32 mm)
Waterproof: No Yes
Waterproof Depth: n/a 45.00 feet (14 meters)
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
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 Yes
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),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 1728 (5.3 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1464 (3.8 MP, Other),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.2 1.5
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)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x360 (15p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) MP4 (AVC H.264 video with 32KHz 16-bit stereo PCM audio)
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 Ricoh zoom lens; 9 elements in 7 groups, 4 aspherical elements, protective cover with SP coating
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 392mm 25 - 100mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 70mm 4.5 - 18mm
Zoom Ratio: 14.00x 4.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0 f/2.0 (wide) / f/4.9 (tele) - ???
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
1 - 30 cm
0.4 - 11.8 in
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 7.2x; Intelligent Zoom up to 28.8x total at VGA
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) Contrast Detection: 9 point AF, Spot AF, Auto Tracking AF, Macro, 1cm Macro, Infinity Landscape, Pan Focus, Manual Focus
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
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 No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No 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 (125-6400, adjustable), 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, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Color, N: Daylight White, W: White Light), Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 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 Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
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) HDR, Night Scene, Handheld Night Snap, Movie, Underwater, Underwater Movie, Digital Microscope, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Interval Shot, Interval Movie, High Speed Movie, Time-Lapse Movie, 1CM Macro Movie, Digital SR, Surf & Snow, Kids, Pet, Sport, Fireworks, Night Scene Portrait, Food, Report
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2 or 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, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye
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: 10.4m (wide), 4.2m (tele)
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:   No 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) MP4 (AVC H.264 video with 32KHz 16-bit stereo PCM audio)
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 Yes
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 Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional IR
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI Micro HDMI (Type D)
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 1.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):    
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 240 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary D-LI92
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI92 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Canon software suite  
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 to 45ft/14m, Shockproof to 7.2ft/2.2m, Freezeproof to 14F/-10C, Crushproof to 220lbf/100kgf. Available in orange or gunmetal.