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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(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
Nikon L120
(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  • Superseded the Nikon L110
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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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 resolution921k461kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon L120

 SX230 HS L120 
RevealedJuly 2011February 2011Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 size comparison

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

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
34
has manual focus
features face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography details
Nikon L120 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (223g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Sports photography camera
36
long zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX230 HS
Travel photography with Nikon L120
61
lighter than competitors in class (223 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Landscape photography camera
41
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L120 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (223 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing external mic jack
27
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone port
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Nikon L120
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSNikon 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