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Canon S100 vs Nikon A900

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
48
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot S100 front
 
Nikon Coolpix A900 front
Portability
88
Imaging
46
Features
58
Overall
50

Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 Key Specs

Canon S100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 198g - 99 x 60 x 28mm
  • Released December 2011
  • Superseded the Canon S95
  • Renewed by Canon S110
Nikon A900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-840mm (F3.4-6.9) lens
  • 289g - 113 x 67 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • New Model is Nikon A1000
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Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Canon S100 versus Nikon A900, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the S100 (12MP) and A900 (20MP) and the S100 (1/1.7") and A900 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The S100 was introduced 5 years earlier than the A900 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the S100 grades vs the A900 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon S100 over the Nikon A900

 S100 A900 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Nikon A900 over the Canon S100

 A900 S100 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016December 2011More recent by 50 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon S100 and Nikon A900

 S100 A900 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon S100 provides physical dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Nikon A900 has dimensions of 113mm x 67mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") and a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon S100 versus Nikon A900 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S100 and the A900.

Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S100 and A900 is 93 and 88 respectively.

Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 top view buttons comparison

Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading through technical specs. The visual below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S100 and A900.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S100 with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Nikon A900 will give you greater detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older S100 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 sensor size comparison

Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S100 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon A900 as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
40
good megapixels (20MP)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon S100 as a Street photography camera
Nikon A900 as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
69
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (289 grams)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon S100 Sports photography details
Nikon A900 Sports photography details
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
56
long zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S100 Travel photography information
Nikon A900 Travel photography information
61
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
74
lighter than others (289g)
has bluetooth
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (840mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S100 Landscape photography details
Nikon A900 Landscape photography details
50
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
49
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon S100
Vlogging with Nikon A900
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others (289 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
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Canon S100 vs Nikon A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S100 and Nikon A900
 Canon PowerShot S100Nikon Coolpix A900
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot S100 Nikon Coolpix A900
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-12-22 2016-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-5.9 f/3.4-6.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 6.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (120, 30 fps), 320 x 240 (240, 30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 grams (0.44 pounds) 289 grams (0.64 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 113 x 67 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 153 not tested
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 300 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $429 $400