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Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900

Portability
64
Imaging
32
Features
53
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9900 front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Released March 2009
Nikon S9900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 289g - 112 x 66 x 40mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Previous Model is Nikon S9700
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Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and S9900 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was launched 6 years earlier than the S9900 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S9900 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX1 IS grades versus the S9900 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Nikon S9900

 SX1 IS S9900 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Canon SX1 IS

 S9900 SX1 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2015March 2009Newer by 71 months
Screen dimensions3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Nikon S9900

 SX1 IS S9900 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX1 IS has outer dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Nikon S9900 has proportions of 112mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX1 IS compared to the S9900.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and S9900 is 64 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at technical specs. The image here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX1 IS and S9900.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Nikon S9900 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon S9900 Portrait photography details
45
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
37
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography factors
Nikon S9900 Street photography factors
56
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (615 grams)
68
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (289 grams)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX1 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S9900
32
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
53
excellent zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography info
Nikon S9900 Travel photography info
52
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (615g)
low megapixels (10MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
77
lighter than competition in class (289g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (750mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon S9900 Landscape photography advice
44
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
47
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging details
Nikon S9900 Vlogging details
57
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have external mic port
heavier than competitors (615 grams)
73
pretty wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (289 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
missing microphone socket
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Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon S9900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Nikon S9900
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISNikon Coolpix S9900
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Nikon Coolpix S9900
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-03-27 2015-02-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-750mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.7-6.4
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615 grams (1.36 lbs) 289 grams (0.64 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 112 x 66 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 300 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $600 $300