Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon D5300

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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon D5300

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX230 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX230 HS.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5300.
Compare Nikon D5300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5300 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SX260 HS
Compare SX230 HS vs SX260 HS

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Compare CANON SX260 HS vs NIKON D5500

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Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Nikon D5300

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Thinner
33 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D5300 advantages over Canon SX230 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

600 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
1037k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 3.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Built-in GPS
Both provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Read D5300 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Great zoom range from 28mm to 392mm equivalent; Full HD and slow-motion video; excellent print quality.
Low battery life; some chromatic aberration; flash pops up when powered on every time.
Read our Canon SX230 HS Express Review

Excellent image quality similar to more expensive DSLRs (like the D7100); Great dynamic range; Responsive all-around performer; Excellent Full HD video-shooting quality; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Built-in GPS; Compact and lightweight size; 18-140mm kit lens performs well for its type and has a very versatile focus length range.
AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to moire; Burst speed slows with highest quality 14-bit RAW images; Live View mode not as good as some competitors; No external headphone jack; GPS receiver not very sensitive.
Read our Nikon D5300 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung HZ35W

Canon SX230 HS

Samsung HZ35W

$269
1/2.3 inch

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

$350
1/2.3 inch

More dots on screen
Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung HZ35W

Nikon D5300

Samsung HZ35W

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$350
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Samsung HZ35W

Compared to Canon SX210 IS

Canon SX230 HS

Canon SX210 IS

$269
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Shoots 24p video

$262
1/2.3 inch

Longer stills battery life
More pixels

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX210 IS

Nikon D5300

Canon SX210 IS

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$262
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon SX210 IS

Compared to Olympus SZ-10

Canon SX230 HS

Olympus SZ-10

$269
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$224
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-10

Nikon D5300

Olympus SZ-10

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$224
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Pentax K-3

Canon SX230 HS

Pentax K-3

$269
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Canon T6s

Canon SX230 HS

Canon T6s

$269
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Canon T6s

Nikon D5300

Canon T6s

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

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