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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P310 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
53
Overall
44

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 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
  • Launched July 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX240 HS
Nikon P310
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 194g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Older Model is Nikon P300
  • Renewed by Nikon P330
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon P310, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and P310 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was announced 11 months earlier than the P310 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX230 HS scores vs the P310 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon P310

 SX230 HS P310 

Reasons to pick Nikon P310 over the Canon SX230 HS

 P310 SX230 HS 
ReleasedJune 2012July 2011Fresher by 11 months
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon P310

 SX230 HS P310 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys outside dimensions 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 P310 has dimensions of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon P310 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the P310.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX230 HS and P310 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and P310.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon P310 to offer you greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SX230 HS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography advice
Nikon P310 Portrait photography advice
34
you can focus manually
supports face detect autofocus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
43
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX230 HS
Street photography with Nikon P310
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (223g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
Sports photography with Nikon P310
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
48
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX230 HS
Travel photography with Nikon P310
61
lighter than competitors in class (223g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
71
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography info
Nikon P310 Landscape photography info
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
54
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging factors
Nikon P310 Vlogging factors
34
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (223 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of mic socket
36
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P310 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Nikon P310
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSNikon Coolpix P310
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Nikon Coolpix P310
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-07-19 2012-06-22
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-100mm (4.2x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120, 30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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 lb) 194 gr (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs 230 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $399 $700