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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S100 front
Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Key Specs

Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX270 HS
Nikon S100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
  • Introduced August 2011
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SX280 HS versus Nikon S100, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and S100 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was unveiled 20 months after the S100 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX280 HS scores vs the S100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S100

 SX280 HS S100 
IntroducedMarch 2013August 2011More modern by 20 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Canon SX280 HS

 S100 SX280 HS 
Screen dimensions3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution820k461kClearer screen (+359k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S100

 SX280 HS S100 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS features exterior dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Nikon S100 has proportions of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX280 HS versus Nikon S100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the S100.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and S100 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing specs. The pic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX280 HS and S100.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon S100 to offer greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The younger SX280 HS should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography details
Nikon S100 Portrait photography details
34
you can focus manually
supports face detection focus
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
40
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
has face detection focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography details
Nikon S100 Street photography details
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography details
Nikon S100 Sports photography details
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (150 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography factors
Nikon S100 Travel photography factors
61
lighter than average in class (233g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery life (210 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
offers touch focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (150 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography advice
Nikon S100 Landscape photography advice
41
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery life (210 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
45
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery power (150 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX280 HS
Vlogging with Nikon S100
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
35
rather wide (28mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone port
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S100
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon Coolpix S100
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Nikon Coolpix S100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-03-21 2011-08-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.9-4.8
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dot 820k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - Organic LED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233g (0.51 pounds) 175g (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 images 150 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $325 $240