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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9900 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
60
Overall
48

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(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
Nikon S9900
(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
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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").

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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.

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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 
LaunchedFebruary 2015July 2011Newer by 43 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S9900

 SX230 HS S9900 
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography details
Nikon S9900 Portrait photography details
34
focusing manually
offers face detection focus
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
37
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon S9900 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
68
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (289g)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
Sports photography with Nikon S9900
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
53
great zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S9900 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (392mm)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery power (210 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
77
lighter than competitors in class (289g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX230 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon S9900
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery power (210 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
47
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX230 HS
Vlogging with Nikon S9900
34
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no external microphone port
73
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (289g)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
no external microphone socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S9900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Nikon S9900
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSNikon 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