Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S33
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


91 Imaging
36 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S33 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
- Released July 2011
- Old Model is Canon SX210 IS
- Updated by Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 13MP - 1/3.1" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Digital Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
- Released February 2015

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S33 Overview
Following is a in depth assessment of the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S33, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the S33 (13MP) is relatively comparable but the SX230 HS (1/2.3") and S33 (1/3.1") provide totally different sensor sizes.

The SX230 HS was brought out 4 years earlier than the S33 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX230 HS scores vs the S33 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S33 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and Nikon Coolpix S33. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX230 HS Gallery and Nikon S33 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon S33
SX230 HS | S33 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S33 over the Canon SX230 HS
S33 | SX230 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | July 2011 | More modern by 43 months |
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S33
SX230 HS | S33 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S33 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Nikon S33 has measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S33 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX230 HS vs the S33.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX230 HS and S33 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S33 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The picture underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and S33.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SX230 HS because of its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Nikon S33 will show greater detail having its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged SX230 HS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S33 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S33 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S33 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S33 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2011-07-19 | 2015-02-10 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/3.1" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 4.7 x 3.5mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 16.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 13MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4160 x 3120 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
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) | 30-90mm (3.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 7.7 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 4.7fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 3.10 m (at Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
External flash | ||
AE 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) | 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p), 320 x 240 (30p, 25p) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 223 gr (0.49 pounds) | 221 gr (0.49 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 220 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-5L | EN-EL19 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 sec, smile timer) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $399 | $150 |