Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38


88 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
48
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 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
- Announced July 2011
- Old Model is Canon SX210 IS
- Later Model is Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
- 289g - 112 x 66 x 40mm
- Launched February 2015
- Previous Model is Nikon S9700

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Overview
The following is a extended assessment of the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon S9900, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the SX230 HS (12MP) and S9900 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX230 HS was launched 4 years before the S9900 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the SX230 HS scores against the S9900 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and Nikon Coolpix S9900. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX230 HS Gallery and Nikon S9900 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon S9900
SX230 HS | S9900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Canon SX230 HS
S9900 | SX230 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2015 | ![]() | July 2011 | Newer by 43 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S9900
SX230 HS | S9900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX230 HS has got external dimensions of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Nikon S9900 has proportions of 112mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs).
Check the Canon SX230 HS versus Nikon S9900 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SX230 HS and the S9900.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and S9900 is 91 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing technical specs. The image below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX230 HS and S9900.
As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Nikon S9900 to render more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged SX230 HS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S9900 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix S9900 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-07-19 | 2015-02-10 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
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 aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 25-750mm (30.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.7-6.4 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 223g (0.49 pounds) | 289g (0.64 pounds) |
Dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 112 x 66 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") |
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 pictures | 300 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-5L | EN-EL19 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $399 | $300 |