Clicky

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Introduced June 2013
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S31, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the S31 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the SX230 HS (1/2.3") and S31 (1/2.9") boast different sensor dimensions.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The SX230 HS was launched 23 months before the S31 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX230 HS matches up versus the S31 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon S31

 SX230 HS S31 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Canon SX230 HS

 S31 SX230 HS 
IntroducedJune 2013July 2011Newer by 23 months

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S31

 SX230 HS S31 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS provides external dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Nikon S31 has measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S31 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX230 HS vs the S31.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and S31 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The picture here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and S31.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SX230 HS due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Canon SX230 HS will provide more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SX230 HS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S31 Portrait photography highlights
34
has manual focus
features face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
20
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.9")
lacks RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon S31 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
52
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.9")
lacks RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S31 as a Sports photography camera
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.9")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography advice
Nikon S31 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than competition (223g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (392mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
59
environment proof
built-in flash
great maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography features
Nikon S31 Landscape photography features
41
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
30
great maximum aperture (f)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.9")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging advice
Nikon S31 Vlogging advice
34
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
24
great maximum aperture (f)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S31
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSNikon Coolpix S31
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Nikon Coolpix S31
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2011-07-19 2013-06-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.9"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.96 x 3.72mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 18.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 7.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash options 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 gr (0.49 lbs) 185 gr (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7")
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 260 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $90