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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
Nikon S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Revealed August 2009
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the S640 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was brought out 24 months later than the S640 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX230 HS grades against the S640 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon S640

 SX230 HS S640 
RevealedJuly 2011August 2009More recent by 24 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Canon SX230 HS

 S640 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S640

 SX230 HS S640 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS provides external 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) and the Nikon S640 has dimensions of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the S640.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and S640 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The visual here will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and S640.

As you can see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures however you will want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher SX230 HS should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography factors
Nikon S640 Portrait photography factors
34
manual focus
provides face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
20
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon S640 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (223g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (130g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography details
Nikon S640 Sports photography details
36
incredible zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
33
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX230 HS
Travel photography with Nikon S640
61
lighter than others in class (223 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (210 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
62
lighter than competitors (130g)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S640 Landscape photography highlights
41
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery pack (210 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX230 HS
Vlogging with Nikon S640
34
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (223 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (130g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S640 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S640
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSNikon Coolpix S640
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Nikon Coolpix S640
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-19 2009-08-04
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Expeed
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing distance 5cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
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 lb) 130 gr (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 -
Type of battery 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, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $225