• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Nikon S3600

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.1 vs f/3.7
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    392 mm vs 200 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.2 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon S3600 advantages over Canon SX230 HS

  • Less expensive
    $140 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 218g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX230 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S3600
Nikon S3600

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

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 S3600
Samsung HZ35W
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon S3600 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 S3600
Canon SX210 IS
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon S3600 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 S3600
Olympus SZ-10
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon S3600 vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Nikon S5300

Canon SX230 HS
Nikon S5300
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon S5300

Nikon S3600
Nikon S5300
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon S3600 vs Nikon S5300

Compared to Canon 170 IS

Canon SX230 HS
Canon 170 IS
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Canon 170 IS

Nikon S3600
Canon 170 IS
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon S3600 vs Canon 170 IS

Compare Other Cameras?