• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
  • Sony Alpha NEX-6
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
Sony A6000
NEX-6 vs A6000
General
Model Number: SX230 HS NEX-6
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $349.99 $999.99
Street Price: $269.00 $549.00
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2012-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
16.5 oz (469 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
4.7 x 2.6 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 67 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony Exmor APS HD
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 4.78 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score:   78
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   13.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   1,018
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)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.2 9.7
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 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony E
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Sony SELP1650 PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 9 elements in 8 groups, 4 aspheric surfaces
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 392mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 70mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 14.00x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0 f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 40.5mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 2x Clear Image zoom; up to 4x Precision zoom; 1.4x / 2x Smart zoom at reduced resolution
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) Hybrid AF (99-point phase detect; 25-point contrast detect): Multi-point, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection and Predictive Tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   EVF: 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2,359K-dot XGA OLED, 1.09x magnification (0.71x 35mm eq.), 100% coverage, -4 to +1 diopter, 21mm eyepoint from eyepiece frame at -1 diopter (CIPA standard)
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   1.09x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   25600
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto (100-3200), 100-25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp. (2500-9900K), Color Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 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 1200-zone Multi Segment, 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) Sweep Panorama, Scene Selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur), Auto Portrait Framing
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2, 10, 10 with 3/5 shots 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 Flash Off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow sync., Rear-Sync.; Red-eye Reduction On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 6.0 m / 19.7 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)) GN=6(m) at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync:   1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Multi-Interface (Mi) Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
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,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional RMT-DSLR2 IR Wireless
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI Mini HDMI (Type C), Multi-Interface (Mi) Shoe
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.03 0.61
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.66
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   13
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.64
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.2 9.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   12
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.8
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   10
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.8
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   9
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.40 seconds 0.26 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):   0.126 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.38 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.090 seconds 0.023 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full Autofocus, Multi-area AF mode = 0.261s
Startup Time: 2.0 seconds 2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.2 seconds 2.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots 360 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   270 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 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 Image Data Converter Ver. 4, PlayMemories Home
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS X 10.5 or later. (PlayMemories Home is Windows only.)
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. New "Fast Hybrid AF", built-in OLED EVF, tilting 921K-dot LCD, built-in Wi-Fi, built-in flash, Multi-Interface Shoe, Full HD movies at up to 60p, 10 fps burst mode.