Capturing Life's Moments with Nikon Coolpix S230: A Smart Choice for Photography Enthusiasts

Dive into the world of photography with Nikon Coolpix S230 – a smart, compact camera perfect for capturing life's precious moments. Equipped with a 10.0-megapixel sensor and a 3x optical zoom, the Coolpix S230 delivers clear, sharp images and video footage that can be easily shared with family and friends. Whether you're traveling, attending events, or simply taking snapshots, this camera offers a range of features that make photography fun and exciting.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Coolpix S230 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 03 2009

Announced

10 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight115g
MSRP$229USD

Other similar cameras

Nikon Coolpix S220 thumbnail

Nikon Coolpix S220

Released Feb 03 2009 | 10MP resolution

Nikon Coolpix S630 thumbnail

Nikon Coolpix S630

Released Feb 03 2009 | 12MP resolution

Nikon Coolpix S70 thumbnail

Nikon Coolpix S70

Released Aug 04 2009 | 12MP resolution

Overview of the Coolpix S230

Capturing life's moments has never been easier than with the Nikon Coolpix S230. Whether you're an amateur or a pro, this camera offers the perfect combination of style and functionality that every photography enthusiast needs. With its sleek design and impressive features, the Coolpix S230 has earned a reputation as one of the best compact cameras on the market. It's packed with a 10.0-megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom, and a host of advanced features that help you take stunning photos and videos in any situation. So, if you're looking for a camera that can help you take your photography skills to the next level, Nikon Coolpix S230 is a smart choice.

Nikon Coolpix S230 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Coolpix S230 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High image resolution
Compact and lightweight
Large LCD screen
Face detection technology
Optical zoom
Easy to use interface
Affordable price point
Wide angle lens capability
Good low light performance
Image stabilization technology

Cons

Limited manual control options
Short battery life
Slow focus speed
No viewfinder
Limited aperture range
Limited video recording options
No WiFi connectivity
Limited ISO range
No RAW image format
Poor noise reduction performance

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Coolpix S230

Weather sealed
Dimensions91 x 57 x 20mm
Weight115g
Thickness20mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Coolpix S230 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeUltracompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Nikon Coolpix S230 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Nikon Coolpix S230 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Coolpix S230 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon Coolpix S230 has a 10MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 10 pixels. Nikon Coolpix S230 has a native ISO range of 80 - 2000 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Feb 03 2009

Announced

80 - 2000

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3648 x 2736 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon Coolpix S230 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Coolpix S230 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC, Internal
Battery Life
Battery ModelEN-EL10
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Coolpix S230 supports SD/SDHC, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon Coolpix S230 uses the EN-EL10 model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon Coolpix S230 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Nikon Coolpix S230 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon Coolpix S230 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

View on Amazon

FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon Coolpix S230?

The Nikon Coolpix S230 features a CCD sensor

Is the Nikon Coolpix S230 weather sealed?

No the Coolpix S230 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Coolpix S230 announced?

The Nikon Coolpix S230 was announced on Feb 03 2009

Does the Nikon Coolpix S230 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Coolpix S230 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon Coolpix S230?

The Coolpix S230 has a native ISO range of 80-2000, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

View on Amazon

Similar Camera Reviews

Nikon Coolpix S220 article cover photo

Capture Life's Moments with Nikon Coolpix S220 Camera: A Comprehensive Review

In today's world, we love capturing every moment of our lives and sharing it with our near and dear ones. Nikon Coolpix S220 is one such camera that helps us easily capture stunning photographs and high-quality videos. This blog provides an in-depth review of the Nikon Coolpix S220 camera, including its features, image and video quality, battery life, and design. Whether you're a professional photographer or just someone who loves capturing life's precious moments, this camera is ideal for you.

Nikon Coolpix S630 article cover photo

Capturing Life's Moments with Nikon Coolpix S630 : A Comprehensive Review

In this blog post, we'll delve into the Nikon Coolpix S630 camera and explore its features, capabilities, and performance. From its compact design to its advanced optical zoom and image stabilisation, we'll take an in-depth look at what makes this camera a popular choice for amateur photographers.

Nikon Coolpix S70 article cover photo

Unleashing the Power of Nikon Coolpix S70: A Comprehensive Review

In a world where social media reigns supreme, having a reliable camera is a must. The Nikon Coolpix S70 is a compact, powerful point-and-shoot camera loaded with features that make it a favorite among casual and professional photographers. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the features of the Nikon Coolpix S70, exploring what makes it a top choice for capturing stunning images and videos. Get ready to unleash the power of this amazing camera!