Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S100
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


94 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S100 Key Specs
(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
- Launched July 2011
- Replaced the Canon SX210 IS
- Replacement is Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
- Announced August 2011

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S100 Overview
The following is a detailed overview of the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon S100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and S100 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX230 HS was revealed about the same time to the S100 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SX230 HS scores against the S100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S100 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS & Nikon Coolpix S100. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX230 HS Gallery & Nikon S100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon S100
SX230 HS | S100 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Canon SX230 HS
S100 | SX230 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 820k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper display (+359k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S100
SX230 HS | S100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | August 2011 | Same age |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S100 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS comes with outer measurements 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 S100 has measurements of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon S100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the S100.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and S100 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S100 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through technical specs. The pic here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and S100.
As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon S100 to produce more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S100 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-07-19 | 2011-08-24 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.9-4.8 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3.5 inches |
Resolution of display | 461k dots | 820k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | Organic LED monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 223 gr (0.49 lb) | 175 gr (0.39 lb) |
Dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") |
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 photos | 150 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-5L | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $399 | $240 |