Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
- Introduced July 2011
- Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
- Successor is Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Revealed February 2011
- Superseded the Nikon L110

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Overview
Here is a in depth review of the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the L120 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX230 HS was released 6 months later than the L120 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX230 HS grades versus the L120 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS & Nikon Coolpix L120. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX230 HS Gallery & Nikon L120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon L120
SX230 HS | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX230 HS
L120 | SX230 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon L120
SX230 HS | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2011 | ![]() | February 2011 | Same age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX230 HS has got outer measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Nikon L120 has specifications of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon L120 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the L120.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX230 HS and L120 is 91 and 75 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by going through specs. The visual here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and L120.
All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon L120 to provide more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix L120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix L120 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-07-19 | 2011-02-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 25-525mm (21.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.1-5.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 461k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 6.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 223g (0.49 pounds) | 431g (0.95 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 210 photos | 330 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery ID | NB-5L | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $399 | $300 |