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Nikon S230 vs Sony W550

Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28
Nikon Coolpix S230 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Nikon S230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 2000
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 115g - 91 x 57 x 20mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
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Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon S230 vs Sony W550, both Ultracompact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the S230 (10MP) and W550 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S230 was revealed 3 years earlier than the W550 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the S230 matches up vs the W550 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Sony W550

 S230 W550 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Nikon S230

 W550 S230 
ReleasedJuly 2011February 2009Fresher by 30 months

Common features in the Nikon S230 and Sony W550

 S230 W550 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon S230 provides external dimensions of 91mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 115 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Sony W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the S230 and the W550.

Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S230 and W550 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S230 and W550.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony W550 to offer you greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older S230 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S230 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W550 as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon S230 Street photography highlights
Sony W550 Street photography highlights
57
built in image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S230
Sports photography with Sony W550
26
built in image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S230
Travel photography with Sony W550
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S230 Landscape photography information
Sony W550 Landscape photography information
31
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Digital)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S230 Vlogging highlights
Sony W550 Vlogging highlights
28
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
29
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
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Nikon S230 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S230 and Sony W550
 Nikon Coolpix S230Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S230 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2009-02-03 2011-07-24
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD 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 10MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 2000 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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 115 gr (0.25 lbs) 110 gr (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 model EN-EL10 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (3 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One -
Retail cost $150 $119