• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus PEN E-PL2
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
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: E-PL2 SX230 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.99 $349.99
Street Price:   $269.00
Date Available: 2011-01-15 2011-03-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.8 oz (476 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.5 x 2.9 x 1.7 in.
(115 x 73 x 42 mm)
4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Panasonic  
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 12.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.29 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 55  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.4  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.2  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 573  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4032 x 3042 (12.3 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), RAW (.ORF) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 3.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​6/​3/​1.5)
640x480 (30/​120/​6/​3/​1.5)
320x240 (30/​240)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM)
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: Micro Four Thirds n/a
Lens: M.Zuiko MSC Digital ED m14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm 28 - 392mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm 5 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 14.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22 f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 11-point contrast detection w/ tracking Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: Optional EVF  
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: 460,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto (200 - 6400), 200 - 6400 (1/3, 1 EV steps) Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1/2/3, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Custom WB, One-touch WB Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 324-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (with Highlight/Shadow mode) Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: 22 Scene Modes; 6 Art Filters (can be combined) 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 or 12 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: TTL-Auto, Auto, Manual, Off Auto, Manual (3 levels), Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE Lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens aperture Auto ISO: 2.5 - 11.5 ft. (W), 3.3 - 6.6 ft (T), 75cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m, (T))
Max Flash Sync: 1/160  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe 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: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW (.ORF)  
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) 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: No Yes
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: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional Cable Release  
Connections (extended): Accessory Port II, Multi Connector (USB/AV), Mini HDMI (Type C), Cable Release Mini HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 1.03 2.03
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 1.01  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 3.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 14  
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): 0.43 seconds 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): 0.248 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.62 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.068 seconds 0.090 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): 11-area full AF lag: 0.461  
Startup Time: 1.3 seconds 2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.8 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.7 seconds 6.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 280 shots 210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLS-5 Proprietary NB-5L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: Proprietary BLS-5 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM Canon software suite
OS Compatibility: Windows, MacOS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Changes from E-PL1: Updated body, bundled with new 14-42mm MSC lens, Live Guide II, 6 Art Filters: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy, Pin, Diorama, Dramatic Tone, 3" 460K-dot LCD, Support for SDXC cards, Top Shutter Speed now 1/4000s, Top ISO now 6400, Face Detection with new Eye Detect, 22 Scene Modes, Accessory Port 2, BLS-5 Battery. Available in black, white, silver and red. 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.