Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
- 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
- Launched March 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Introduced February 2011
- Earlier Model is Nikon L110

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120 Overview
Below is a thorough review of the Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the L120 (14MP) is relatively similar and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX280 HS was launched 2 years later than the L120 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SX280 HS grades vs the L120 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS and Nikon Coolpix L120. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX280 HS Gallery and Nikon L120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon L120
SX280 HS | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | More recent by 26 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX280 HS
L120 | SX280 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon L120
SX280 HS | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX280 HS has outside dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Nikon L120 has specifications of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).
Check the Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the L120.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and L120 is 91 and 75 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison
Often, its difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements purely by reviewing technical specs. The visual below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX280 HS and L120.
As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon L120 to offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger SX280 HS is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon L120 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Nikon Coolpix L120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Nikon Coolpix L120 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-03-21 | 2011-02-09 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 6 | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 25-525mm (21.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.1-5.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 461k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 6.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 233g (0.51 pounds) | 431g (0.95 pounds) |
Dimensions | 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 210 pictures | 330 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery ID | NB-6L | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $325 | $300 |