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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX240 HS
Nikon L21
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon L21

 SX230 HS L21 
RevealedJuly 2011February 2010Fresher by 18 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography information
Nikon L21 Portrait photography information
34
you can focus manually
includes face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
18
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX230 HS
Street photography with Nikon L21
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (223 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
Sports photography with Nikon L21
36
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (210 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography highlights
Nikon L21 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competitors (223g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (210 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (8MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography factors
Nikon L21 Landscape photography factors
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery life (210 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
21
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX230 HS
Vlogging with Nikon L21
34
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (223 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSNikon 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