Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


96 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300 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
- Refreshed by Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-156mm (F3.5-6.5) lens
- 128g - 95 x 58 x 19mm
- Launched February 2012

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300 Overview
Lets look more in depth at the Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and S3300 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX230 HS was brought out 6 months prior to the S3300 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SX230 HS matches up against the S3300 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and Nikon Coolpix S3300. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX230 HS Gallery and Nikon S3300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon S3300
SX230 HS | S3300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S3300 over the Canon SX230 HS
S3300 | SX230 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S3300
SX230 HS | S3300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2011 | ![]() | February 2012 | Same generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX230 HS offers outside dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Nikon S3300 has sizing of 95mm x 58mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 128 grams (0.28 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the S3300.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and S3300 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX230 HS and S3300.
Clearly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon S3300 to provide extra detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S3300 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S3300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S3300 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-07-19 | 2012-02-01 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
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 | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 26-156mm (6.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.5-6.5 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 223 grams (0.49 lb) | 128 grams (0.28 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 95 x 58 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") |
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 photos | 180 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-5L | EN-EL19 |
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 |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $399 | $99 |