Nikon L26 vs Sony W230
93 Imaging
39 Features
24 Overall
33


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Nikon L26 vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
- 164g - 96 x 60 x 29mm
- Released February 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Released February 2009

Nikon L26 vs Sony W230 Overview
The following is a detailed overview of the Nikon L26 vs Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the L26 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The L26 was launched 2 years after the W230 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the L26 scores versus the W230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon L26 vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L26 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The complete galleries are available at Nikon L26 Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L26 over the Sony W230
L26 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 36 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Nikon L26
W230 | L26 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing |
Common features in the Nikon L26 and Sony W230
L26 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Nikon L26 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon L26 offers physical dimensions of 96mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
See the Nikon L26 vs Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the L26 versus the W230.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the L26 and W230 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L26 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The picture below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the L26 and W230.
As you can tell, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon L26 to show more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent L26 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L26 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L26 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L26 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L26 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2012-02-01 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.2-6.5 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus range | 10cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 1s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 164g (0.36 lb) | 156g (0.34 lb) |
Dimensions | 96 x 60 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 | 200 pictures | - |
Battery type | AA | - |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $70 | $180 |