• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
  • Sigma SD1 Merrill
Links
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 SD1 Merrill
Alternate Model Number(s):   SD1
Camera Format: Compact Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $349.99 $2299.00
Street Price: $269.00 $8,492.13
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2011-06-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
28.1 oz (796 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
5.7 x 4.5 x 3.1 in.
(146 x 114 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Foveon X3
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 14.8
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 5.00 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG Full Color
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Not needed
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)
4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG, RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.2 4.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes No
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: No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sigma SA bayonet
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 392mm 26 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 70mm 17 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 14.00x 2.90x
Aperture Range: f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0 f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 77.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) Phase-detection with 11-point Twin Cross AF Sensor; Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type:   SLR type; Pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.95x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
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  
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   6400
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 100, 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, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE 77-segment Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot Metering; EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4 : ISO100)
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)  
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): 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 S-TTL (17mm lens angle covered)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 11.0 m / 36.1 ft.
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)) Lens aperture dependent.
Max Flash Sync:   1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC CF1
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG
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: 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 No
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional RS-31 IR Wireless, CR-21 Wired
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI Wired Remote, DC Input jacks
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.03 0.78
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.78
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   7
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.2 4.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   7
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 0.38 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):   0.244 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.52 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.090 seconds 0.088 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full Autofocus Lag: Auto Area AF = 0.466s
Startup Time: 2.0 seconds 4.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.5 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.2 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary BP-21
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-21 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 Sigma Photo Pro 5.0
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. 46-megapixel 23.5 x 15.7mm APS-C full-color sensor, weather-resistant magnesium alloy body, dual "TRUE II" image processing engines, 11-point Twin Cross AF sensor, CompactFlash Type 1 with UDMA support.