Clicky

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P300 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 Key Specs

Canon SX280 HS
(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
  • Released March 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX270 HS
Nikon P300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 189g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
  • Revealed May 2011
  • Refreshed by Nikon P310
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon P300, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the P300 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX280 HS was revealed 22 months later than the P300 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX280 HS scores versus the P300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon P300

 SX280 HS P300 
RevealedMarch 2013May 2011More recent by 22 months
Manually focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Nikon P300 over the Canon SX280 HS

 P300 SX280 HS 
Display resolution922k461kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon P300

 SX280 HS P300 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX280 HS enjoys outside dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Nikon P300 has specifications of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 189 grams (0.42 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon P300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the P300.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and P300 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX280 HS and P300.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of files although you might want to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The fresher SX280 HS will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography advice
Nikon P300 Portrait photography advice
34
manual focus
provides face detect autofocus
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Street photography camera
Nikon P300 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (233 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon P300 as a Sports photography camera
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
max fps very slow (4.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (210 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
37
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon P300 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors in class (233g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (210 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
63
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography factors
Nikon P300 Landscape photography factors
41
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery life (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
43
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon P300 as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (233g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
36
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon P300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon P300
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon Coolpix P300
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Nikon Coolpix P300
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-03-21 2011-05-31
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-100mm (4.2x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT-LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (15, 30fps), 1280 x 720p (15, 30, 60 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233 gr (0.51 pounds) 189 gr (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 240 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $325 $500