Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


94 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS and Nikon Coolpix S100. The full galleries are available at Canon SX280 HS Gallery and Nikon S100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S100
SX280 HS | S100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | More modern by 20 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Canon SX280 HS
S100 | SX280 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 820k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Nikon 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 |