Canon

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS 12.1MP Digital Camera - Black

1080p1MP1 MP

Travel-ready 14x optical zoom compact with built-in GPS geotagging, Full HD video, and a 12.1MP CMOS sensor.

$299.99*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS packs a surprisingly versatile feature set into a pocket-friendly body. Its 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor pairs with Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor and HS System to deliver respectable image quality, particularly in low-light scenes where the system reduces noise while maintaining detail. The 14x optical zoom lens starts at a useful 28mm wide angle — wide enough for group shots and landscapes — and reaches out far enough to isolate distant subjects. For travelers, the standout feature is the built-in GPS, which embeds latitude and longitude coordinates directly into each image's metadata, making it simple to retrace your steps or organize photos by location after a trip.

On the video side, the SX230 HS captures Full 1080p HD footage with stereo audio, and Canon's Movie Digest mode adds a creative twist by recording a short clip before every still photo, automatically compiling them into a highlight video. The 3-inch LCD provides a clear view for framing and playback, and Smart AUTO mode analyzes the scene to select optimal settings for beginners who prefer to point and shoot. This certified refurbished unit ships with the original battery, charger, wrist strap, and cables, backed by a minimum 90-day warranty. While it does not compete with modern smartphone cameras on computational photography features, its optical zoom range and GPS functionality give it a distinct practical advantage for dedicated travel and everyday photography use.

Key Features

This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com

Canon's HS SYSTEM with a 12.1 MP CMOS and DIGIC 4 Image Processor

Full 1080p HD Video for exceptional quality with stereo sound, plus a dedicated movie button for easy access

Remember where you were and when your pictures were taken with a GPS tracker that records your location, and a logger

Powerful 14x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer and a 28mm Wide-Angle lens.

Specifications

Resolution
12.1 MP CMOS
Optical Zoom
14x
Digital Zoom
4x
Lens
28mm Wide-Angle
Video
Full 1080p HD with Stereo Sound
Image Processor
DIGIC 4
Screen
3" LCD
Features
GPS Tracker, Smart AUTO, Smart Shutter, Movie Digest Mode
Dimensions
4 3/16" W x 2 7/16" H x 1 5/16" D
Condition
Certified Refurbished
Included
Battery Pack NB-5L, Charger CB-2LX, Wrist Strap, AV Cable, USB Cable

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 14x optical zoom with a 28mm wide-angle starting point covers a broad range of shooting scenarios in a pocket-sized body.
  • Built-in GPS automatically records location data with every photo, eliminating the need for a separate geotagging device.
  • DIGIC 4 image processor and HS System perform well in low-light conditions for a compact camera of this generation.
  • Full 1080p HD video with stereo sound adds versatile recording capability without carrying separate gear.

👎 Cons

  • 12.1MP sensor and DIGIC 4 processor reflect older technology with limited dynamic range compared to current compacts.
  • No optical viewfinder means all composition is done on the 3-inch LCD, which can be difficult in bright sunlight.
  • GPS usage drains the battery noticeably faster, reducing the number of shots per charge.
  • Certified Refurbished condition means cosmetic wear is possible and warranty coverage is limited to 90 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it has an integrated GPS tracker that automatically geotags your photos with location data, which is especially useful for cataloging travel photography.
The camera provides 14x optical zoom starting from a 28mm wide-angle lens, giving you versatile framing from landscapes to distant subjects without swapping lenses.
Yes, it records Full 1080p HD video with stereo sound, and the Movie Digest mode automatically captures short clips before each still photo to create a highlight reel of your day.
The camera has been tested for full functionality, cleaned, inspected, and repackaged. It includes all relevant accessories and comes with a minimum 90-day warranty.
The SX230 HS has a 3-inch LCD screen for composing shots and reviewing images.