Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S6100
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


93 Imaging
38 Features
39 Overall
38
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S6100 Key Specs
(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
- Launched July 2011
- Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
- Newer Model is Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-196mm (F3.7-5.6) lens
- 175g - 98 x 58 x 27mm
- Introduced February 2011

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S6100 Overview
Let's take a more detailed look at the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S6100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and S6100 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX230 HS was brought out 6 months after the S6100 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX230 HS grades against the S6100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S6100 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS & Nikon Coolpix S6100. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX230 HS Gallery & Nikon S6100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon S6100
SX230 HS | S6100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S6100 over the Canon SX230 HS
S6100 | SX230 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S6100
SX230 HS | S6100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2011 | ![]() | February 2011 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S6100 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX230 HS provides exterior dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Nikon S6100 has specifications of 98mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).
Check the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S6100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SX230 HS versus the S6100.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX230 HS and S6100 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S6100 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The pic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and S6100.
All in all, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon S6100 to provide you with more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S6100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S6100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S6100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S6100 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-07-19 | 2011-02-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias 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 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 28-196mm (7.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.7-5.6 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | TFT touchscreen LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | 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/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 4.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 223g (0.49 lb) | 175g (0.39 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 98 x 58 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 210 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-5L | EN-EL12 |
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 | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $399 | $195 |