Canon SX230 HS vs Sony A35 Specifications

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX230 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX230 HS.

APS-C 365.0mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony A35 Review.

Detailed specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Sony Alpha SLT-A35

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	A35
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	Compact	SLR
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$349.99	$699.99
Street Price:	$269.00	$567.17
Date Available:	2011-03-30	2011-08-31
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	7.7 oz (218 g) includes batteries	24.5 oz (694 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in. (106 x 62 x 33 mm)	4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:		Sony
Effective Megapixels:	12.1	16.2
Sensor Format:	1/2.3 inch	APS-C
Sensor size:	28.0735mm² (6.17mm x 4.55mm)	365.04mm² (23.40mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	1.54 microns	4.76 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	n/a	1.5x
Aspect Ratio:	4:3	3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:		Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	No	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:		74
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):		23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):		12.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):		763
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), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.3)	JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second:	3.2	5.5
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 (60i) 1440x1080 (30) 640x480 (30)
Movie File Format:	MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM)	AVCHD, MP4
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 Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens:	Canon Zoom Lens	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	28 - 392mm	27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):	5 - 70mm	18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:	14.00x	3.00x
Aperture Range:	f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	5 cm to Infinity 2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:	5 - 50 cm 2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread:	n/a	55.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	Yes	No
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: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local.
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	LCD	EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:		EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.15M-dot LCD (380K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.1x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):		0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):		1.10x
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
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:	10.0x	11.8x
Top Deck Display:		No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):		12800
Minimum ISO (native):		100
ISO Settings:	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 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, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range:	1/3200 - 15 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	No	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE	49-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)	Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait, Picture Effect, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D)
Self Timer:	2, 10, Custom seconds	2, 10; 3 or 5 after 10 sec 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, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	n/a	10.0 m / 32.8 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 dependent
Max Flash Sync:		1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:		+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	n/a	Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:		Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC / SDXC	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	No	Yes
Uncompressed Format:		RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:	MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM)	AVCHD, MP4
Included Memory:	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	Yes	No
Microphone Jack:	No	Yes
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:	No	Yes
Remote Control Type:		Optional Wireless (RMT-DSLR1) or Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM)
Connections (extended):	Mini HDMI	Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	2.03	0.53
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):		0.54
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):		8
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):	3.2	5.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):		12
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	0.22 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):		0.217 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):		0.48 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.090 seconds	0.102 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):		Wide-area full AF lag = 0.214s
Startup Time:	2.0 seconds	0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time:		0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	6.2 seconds	3.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):	210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):		420 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary NB-5L	Proprietary 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:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software:	Canon software suite	Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR)
OS Compatibility:	Windows, Mac OS	Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
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.	Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization, 1080i HD Video, Auto+, Picture Effects, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 5.5fps Full-res Burst Mode (7fps in Cropped "Telezoom" 8MP Mode).