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Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230

Portability
94
Imaging
41
Features
27
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S230 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28

Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 Key Specs

Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Introduced January 2015
Nikon S230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 2000
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 115g - 91 x 57 x 20mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Nikon L31 and Nikon S230, both Ultracompact digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the L31 (16MP) and S230 (10MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L31 was launched 6 years after the S230 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the L31 scores versus the S230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Nikon S230

 L31 S230 
LaunchedJanuary 2015February 2009Newer by 73 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Nikon L31

 S230 L31 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon L31 and Nikon S230

 L31 S230 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution

Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L31 has exterior dimensions of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Nikon S230 has dimensions of 91mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 115 grams (0.25 lbs).

Check out the Nikon L31 and Nikon S230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the L31 vs the S230.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the L31 and S230 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through specs. The pic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the L31 and S230.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon L31 to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern L31 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 sensor size comparison

Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L31 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S230 Portrait photography highlights
36
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L31 Street photography highlights
Nikon S230 Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Digital)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition (160g)
57
has image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L31 Sports photography features
Nikon S230 Sports photography features
40
image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
26
has image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S230 as a Travel photography camera
68
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (160g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L31
Landscape photography with Nikon S230
39
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
31
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Digital)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L31 Vlogging info
Nikon S230 Vlogging info
65
quite wide (26mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detect focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
heavier than competition (160g)
28
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
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Nikon L31 vs Nikon S230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L31 and Nikon S230
 Nikon Coolpix L31Nikon Coolpix S230
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix L31 Nikon Coolpix S230
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2015-01-14 2009-02-03
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type 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 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 2000
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
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
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 35-105mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.60 m -
Flash settings - Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 115g (0.25 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (10 secs) Yes (3 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $0 $150