• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 22.00mm - 580.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
  • Pentax X-5
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 X-5
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact EVF
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $349.99 $279.95
Street Price: $269.00 $187.33
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2012-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
22.0 oz (623 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
4.7 x 3.4 x 4.2 in.
(119 x 86 x 107 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.33 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.33 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),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.2 1.1
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 (30p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) MOV (AVC/H.264 with monaural sound)
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 smc PENTAX zoom lens, 12 elements in 9 groups with 3 aspherical elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 392mm 22 - 580mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 70mm 4 - 104mm
Zoom Ratio: 14.00x 26.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0 f/3.1 (wide) / f5.9 (tele) with 2-stage aperture
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
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, Super Macro, Infinity Landscape, Manual, Focus Point Selection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   EVF: 230K-dot LCD with diopter adjustment dial (diopter range unavailable)
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
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 (153,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 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, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (D, N, W), Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/1500 - 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 No
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) Handheld Night Snap, Sport, Landscape, Portrait, Scene (Flower, Blue Sky, Sunset, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, , Fireworks, HDR, Surf & Snow, Baby, Kids, Pet, Food, Digital SR, Stage Lighting, Text, Museum, Digital Wide, Digital Panorama, Frame Composite)
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 10s, 2s, Remote 3 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 Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + 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: Wide: approx. 0.66 - 38 ft; Tele: approx. 4.9 - 20ft
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:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) MOV (AVC/H.264 with monaural sound)
Included Memory: No memory included 75.3 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 No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional infrared
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI DC Input, Micro (Type-D) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.03 2.41
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 1.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   Unlimited
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 0.51 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.53 seconds 0.67 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 0.129 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.0 seconds 2.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.2 seconds 5.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots 500 shots (NiMH AA)
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L 4 x AA
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium or Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x Alkaline AAs
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon software suite Software CD-ROM S-SW129
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. BSI CMOS Sensor, Sensor-shift-type Shake Reduction (SR), Tilting 460K-dot LCD, 230K-dot EVF, 1080p Full HD Movies. Available in silver or black.