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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P900 front
Portability
52
Imaging
41
Features
63
Overall
49

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
Nikon P900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 899g - 140 x 103 x 137mm
  • Released March 2015
  • Successor is Nikon P1000
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon P900, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and P900 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was brought out 4 years earlier than the P900 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P900 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX230 HS grades versus the P900 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon P900

 SX230 HS P900 

Reasons to pick Nikon P900 over the Canon SX230 HS

 P900 SX230 HS 
ReleasedMarch 2015July 2011More modern by 44 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon P900

 SX230 HS P900 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX230 HS features exterior dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Nikon P900 has sizing of 140mm x 103mm x 137mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 5.4") along with a weight of 899 grams (1.98 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon P900 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SX230 HS vs the P900.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and P900 is 91 and 52 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by going over specs. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and P900.

All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Nikon P900 to offer more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged SX230 HS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon P900 as a Portrait photography camera
34
has manual focus
offers face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
44
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon P900 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (899 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography factors
Nikon P900 Sports photography factors
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
56
excellent zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery (360 per charge)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX230 HS
Travel photography with Nikon P900
61
lighter than competition (223g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
good battery (360 per charge)
connects via bluetooth
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (2000mm)
more heavy than competition (899g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography details
Nikon P900 Landscape photography details
41
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
51
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good battery (360 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging features
Nikon P900 Vlogging features
34
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (223g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
54
pretty wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (899g)
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Nikon P900
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSNikon Coolpix P900
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Nikon Coolpix P900
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-19 2015-03-02
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 4:3
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-2000mm (83.3x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 921 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 11.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p) 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Yes
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 gr (0.49 pounds) 899 gr (1.98 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 140 x 103 x 137mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 5.4")
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 360 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L EN-EL23
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $399 $600