CameraLore
Archive illustration for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Quick facts

Full name: Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Original position: Compact fixed-lens camera with a small sensorProduction status: Production status not verified
Regional aliases
No verified regional aliases
Similar models to distinguish
PowerShot ELPH 330 HSPowerShot NPowerShot SX510 HSPowerShot ELPH 120 IS
Editorial guidance, not a verified specificationWhy it is still searched

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS is still searched because older compact cameras interest collectors, second-hand buyers, and photographers seeking a period digital look.

Core specifications

Release year
2011 · Released about 15 years ago
Sensor
6.16 × 4.62 mm CMOS
Effective resolution
12.1 MP
Lens
28 - 392 mm
Zoom
14×
Weight
223 g
Battery
Lithium-Ion NB-5L rechargeable battery Li-ion battery
Storage
SDHC, SDXC, Secure Digital
View full specifications
Editorial guidance, not a verified specification

Who it may suit

May suit collectors, casual daylight shooting, or photographers intentionally seeking an older digital-camera look.

What to check before buying used

The checks below are editorial guidance. Verify the individual camera and seller information before buying.

  • Inspect the body, screen, doors, seals, and tripod socket for impact or moisture damage.
  • Test every button, dial, flash, screen, and viewfinder.
  • Photograph a plain bright surface to check for sensor dust, dead pixels, or damage.
  • Test focus and zoom across the full range; check the lens for haze, fungus, scratches, and errors.
  • Confirm the battery holds charge and that a compatible charger is included or available.
  • Test a supported memory card and inspect the card slot for bent pins or read errors.
  • Inspect the battery compartment and contacts for leakage or corrosion.

Sensor metrics

Diagonal
7.7 mm

Sensor diagonal

√(6.16² + 4.62²) = 7.7 mm

Calculated from sensor width and height using the Pythagorean theorem.

Surface area
28 mm²

Sensor surface area

6.16 × 4.62 ≈ 28 mm²

A larger area usually offers more space to collect light, though image quality also depends on sensor generation.

Pixel pitch
1.53 µm

Pixel pitch

6.16 ÷ 4,017 × 1000 = 1.53 µm

Pixel pitch is the distance between the centers of adjacent pixels. This result assumes square pixels.

Pixel area
2.35 µm²

Pixel area

1.53² = 2.35 µm²

Theoretical pixel area is the square of pixel pitch and does not subtract physical gaps between pixels.

Pixel density
42.52 MP/cm²

Pixel density

12.1 MP ÷ 28 mm² ≈ 42.52 MP/cm²

Higher density means more pixels per unit area. It does not represent image quality on its own.

Actual sensor size

Rectangles use their physical proportions. Calibrate your display to approximate real-world size.

Calibrate screen size

Enter your display diagonal so sensor rectangles are shown closer to their physical size.

6.16 × 4.62 mm

Full specifications

Imaging

Effective pixels
12.1 MP
Total pixels
—
Sensor
6.16 × 4.62 mm CMOS
Calculated resolution
4,017 × 3,012
Maximum image
4,000 × 3,000
Crop factor
5.62

Exposure & viewing

ISO
100–3,200
Viewfinder
None
Display
3 in / 461,000 dots
Lens mount
Fixed lens

Video & storage

Maximum video
—
Storage media
SDHC, SDXC, Secure Digital
Battery
Lithium-Ion NB-5L rechargeable battery Li-ion battery

Body

Weight
223 g
Dimensions
105.7 × 61.6 × 33.2 mm
Release year
2011

Canon Camera Museum

Aperture Priority
Yes
Battery
Lithium-Ion NB-5L rechargeable battery
Brand
Canon
Built In Flash
✓
Crop Factor
5.62
Depth Of Field
simulate →
Digital Zoom
Yes
Dimensions
105.7 x 61.6 x 33.2 mm
Exposure Compensation
±2 EV (in 1/3 EV steps)
External Flash
—
Focal Length 35mm Equiv
28 - 392 mm
Gps
—
Hdmi
—
Iso
Auto, 100 - 3200
Macro Focus Range
5 cm
Manual Focus
✓
Max Aperture
f3.1 - f5.9
Max Aperture 35mm Equiv
f17.4 - f33.2
Max Image Resolution
4000 x 3000
Max Shutter Speed
1-3200 sec
Megapixels
12.10
Metering
Centre weighted, Evaluative, Spot
Min Shutter Speed
15 sec
Model
PowerShot SX230 HS
Normal Focus Range
40 cm
Optical Zoom
14x
Raw Support
—
Screen Resolution
461,000 dots
Screen Size
3"
Sensor Resolution
4011 x 3016
Sensor Size
1/2.3" (~ 6.16 x 4.62 mm)
Sensor Type
CMOS
Shutter Priority
Yes
Storage Types
SDHC, SDXC, Secure Digital
Usb
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Video Capture
—
Viewfinder
None
Weight
223 g
White Balance Presets
8
Wireless
—
Year
2011

Compare with another camera

This camera is selected as Camera A.

Related camera comparisons

Compare Canon PowerShot SX230 HS side by side with every other verified model currently available in the database.