Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 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
- Revealed July 2011
- Succeeded the Canon SX210 IS
- Replacement is Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Revealed February 2010

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Here is a thorough analysis of the Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX230 HS was launched 18 months later than the L21 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX230 HS grades vs the L21 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS & Nikon Coolpix L21. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX230 HS Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon L21
SX230 HS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2011 | ![]() | February 2010 | Fresher by 18 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SX230 HS
L21 | SX230 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon L21
SX230 HS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS has outer measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the L21.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and L21 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The photograph here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and L21.
To sum up, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX230 HS to deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern SX230 HS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2011-07-19 | 2010-02-03 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | 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 | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 8MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Screen resolution | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video 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 | 223 gr (0.49 lbs) | 169 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
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 shots | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-5L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $399 | $180 |