• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-5
  • Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Pentax K-7
K-7 vs K-5
Canon SX210 IS
SX210 IS vs SX230 HS
Successor: Pentax K-5 II
K-5 vs K-5 II
Canon SX260 HS
SX230 HS vs SX260 HS
General
Model Number: K-5 SX230 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1749.95 $349.99
Street Price: $799.99 $269.00
Date Available: 2010-10-15 2011-03-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 35.4 oz (1,003 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
7.7 oz (218 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.2 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(131 x 97 x 73 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: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 16.3 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.81 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 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: 82  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.1  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,162  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)
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 2.21), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.5 3.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (25)
1280x720 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
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: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2) n/a
Lens: smc Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6AL DA WR Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 28 - 392mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 5 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.06x 14.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele) 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: 52.0mm 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: SAFOX IX+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength sensor Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., 21.7mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.61x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 32.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-12800, expandable 80 to 51200 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, fluorescent (D, N, W, L), tungsten, flash, CTE, manual (up to 3 settings), Kelvin temperature (up to 3 settings) Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot 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: Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority 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: P-TTL, Red-eye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Rear Curtain Sync. High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash. 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): 13.0 m / 42.7 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens 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: 1/180  
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: No UHS support  
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)  
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: Yes No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or IR  
Connections (extended): Mini HMDI, DC input, wired remote, 3.5mm external stereo mic jack Mini HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 2.03
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): <0.3  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.5 3.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 31  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 6.5  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 23  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 6.4  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 22  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.10 seconds 0.40 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.53 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.25 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.384 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.092 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.092 seconds 0.090 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): OVF: Full Autofocus lag, Auto Area (11-points) AF = 0.118s Live View (firmware 1.02): - Full AF PD AF = 1.30s - Full AF CD AF = 1.25s - Prefocused = 0.384s  
Startup Time: 0.6 seconds 2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.2 seconds 6.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 740 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-LI90; optional D-BG4 Battery Grip Proprietary NB-5L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-LI90 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: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software (CD-ROM) S-SW110 Canon software suite
OS Compatibility:   Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New 16.3MP CMOS APS-C sensor with ISOs up to 51200, sensor-shift shake reduction, 1080p HD video at 25fps, 11-point SAFOX IX+ AF system, 100%, 0.92x viewfinder, electronic level with tilt scale, improved in-camera HDR, SDXC compatible with firmware update, weather sealed magnesium allow body on stainless steel chassis. 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.