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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P950 front
Portability
52
Imaging
43
Features
70
Overall
53

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Superseded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX240 HS
Nikon P950
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 1005g - 140 x 110 x 150mm
  • Released January 2020
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon P950, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and P950 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was brought out 9 years earlier than the P950 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P950 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX230 HS matches up vs the P950 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon P950

 SX230 HS P950 

Reasons to pick Nikon P950 over the Canon SX230 HS

 P950 SX230 HS 
ReleasedJanuary 2020July 2011Fresher by 103 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon P950

 SX230 HS P950 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys exterior dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Nikon P950 has measurements of 140mm x 110mm x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") and a weight of 1005 grams (2.22 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon P950 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SX230 HS and the P950.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and P950 is 91 and 52 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing specifications. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and P950.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Nikon P950 to provide extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older SX230 HS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX230 HS
Portrait photography with Nikon P950
34
focusing manually
provides face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
57
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX230 HS
Street photography with Nikon P950
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (223 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
53
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
very small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (1,005 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography info
Nikon P950 Sports photography info
36
incredible zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (210 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
54
incredible zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon P950 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than average in class (223 grams)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (392mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
59
has bluetooth
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (2000mm)
more heavy than competition in class (1,005g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P950 as a Landscape photography camera
41
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
55
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon P950 as a Vlogging camera
34
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (223g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone socket
59
quite wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition in class (1,005g)
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon P950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Nikon P950
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSNikon Coolpix P950
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Nikon Coolpix P950
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-07-19 2020-01-07
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-2000mm (83.3x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 90%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 300 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 11.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) EN-EL20a lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 grams (0.49 lbs) 1005 grams (2.22 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 140 x 110 x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 images 290 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $797