• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
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 RX100 II
RX100 vs RX100 II
General
Model Number: SX230 HS RX100
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $349.99 $649.99
Street Price: $269.00 $1,094.95
Date Available: 2011-03-30 2012-07-27
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
8.5 oz (240 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 62 x 33 mm)
4.0 x 2.3 x 1.4 in.
(102 x 58 x 36 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony Exmor
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 20.2
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 2.41 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 2.7x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   66
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   22.6
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   12.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   390
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)
5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2),
4864 x 3648 (17.7 MP, 4:3),
5472 x 3080 (16.9 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 3648 (13.3 MP, 1:1),
3888 x 2592 (10.1 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2056 (7.5 MP, Other),
2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2720 x 1528 (4.2 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, MPO, RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.2 10.0
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/​60i)
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: PCM) AVCHD 2.0 / MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with Dolby Digital (AC3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC audio
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 n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T*; 7 elements in 6 groups, including 4 aspheric elements, 7 blade aperture
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 392mm 28 - 100mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 70mm 10.4 - 37.1mm
Zoom Ratio: 14.00x 3.60x
Aperture Range: f/3.1 (W) / f/5.9 (T) to f/8.0 f/1.8 (wide) / f/4.9 (tele) - f/11
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 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: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) Contrast Detection: Multi point AF (25 points) / Center weighted AF / Flexible spot / Flexible spot (tracking focus) / Flexible sport (face tracking)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No Yes
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: 461,000 dots 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 13.6x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   6400
Minimum ISO (native):   125
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, ISO 125-6400, with ISO 80 and 100 low extensions, up to 25600 with Multi Frame NR
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm, Cool, Day, Daylight), Flash, Color Temp/Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 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 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, Anti Motion Blur (6 shot layering), Sports Action, Pet, Gourmet, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Night Portrait, Fireworks, High Sensitivity; DRO, Auto HDR, Auto Portrait Framing, Sweep Panorama; Picture Effect(s): Toy Camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Color, High Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2, 10, Portrait1, Portrait2 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, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Off
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)) ISO Auto: 0.30m to 17.1m (W) / 0.55m to 6.3m (T)
Max Flash Sync:   1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
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 / MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with Dolby Digital (AC3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC audio
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 Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI Micro HDMI (Type D) with BRAVIA Link
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.03 0.36
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.66
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.62
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.2 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   13
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   13
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   10
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.40 seconds 0.15 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.53 seconds 0.27 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.032 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.37 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.090 seconds 0.013 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.0 seconds 2.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.2 seconds 7.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots 330 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary NP-BX1
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-BX1 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  
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. Optical Image Stabilization, Programmable Control Ring, RAW Support, AF Assist/Peaking, Auto Portrait Framing, 13 Picture Effects, Face Registration/Detection, Smile Shutter, Soft Skin Effect, Sweep Panorama, Multi Aspect Recoding (3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1), Digital Level Gauge, Dual Record, MS Duo/SDXC Multi Slot, Aluminum Body