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Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100

Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28
Nikon Coolpix S230 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31

Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 Key Specs

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
  • Announced February 2009
Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Announced February 2011
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Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100, both Ultracompact cameras and both of them are produced by Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the S230 (10MP) and S3100 (14MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S230 was announced 24 months prior to the S3100 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the S230 grades against the S3100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Nikon S3100

 S230 S3100 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Nikon S230

 S3100 S230 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011February 2009More recent by 24 months

Common features in the Nikon S230 and Nikon S3100

 S230 S3100 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S230 offers outer dimensions of 91mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 115 grams (0.25 lbs) whilst the Nikon S3100 has proportions of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the S230 vs the S3100.

Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S230 and S3100 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S230 and S3100.

To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon S3100 to provide more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older S230 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 sensor size comparison

Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S230 Portrait photography factors
Nikon S3100 Portrait photography factors
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
33
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon S230 as a Street photography camera
Nikon S3100 as a Street photography camera
57
has image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S230 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S3100 as a Sports photography camera
26
has image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
32
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S230
Travel photography with Nikon S3100
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S230 Landscape photography advice
Nikon S3100 Landscape photography advice
31
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Digital)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
33
pretty wide (26mm)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S230 Vlogging advice
Nikon S3100 Vlogging advice
28
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
28
pretty wide (26mm)
provides face detect autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Nikon S230 vs Nikon S3100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S230 and Nikon S3100
 Nikon Coolpix S230Nikon Coolpix S3100
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix S230 Nikon Coolpix S3100
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2009-02-03 2011-02-09
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Expeed C2
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 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 2000 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus range 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 115g (0.25 lb) 118g (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 220 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL10 EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (3 or 10 sec) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $150 $139