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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5200 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX270 HS
Nikon S5200
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-156mm (F) lens
  • 146g - 98 x 58 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and S5200 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was introduced 2 months after the S5200 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX280 HS scores vs the S5200 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S5200

 SX280 HS S5200 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S5200 over the Canon SX280 HS

 S5200 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S5200

 SX280 HS S5200 
ReleasedMarch 2013January 2013Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS provides outer measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Nikon S5200 has proportions of 98mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the S5200.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and S5200 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through technical specs. The pic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX280 HS and S5200.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S5200 to provide more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography advice
Nikon S5200 Portrait photography advice
34
focusing manually
provides face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography advice
Nikon S5200 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (233g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
48
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography advice
Nikon S5200 Sports photography advice
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
27
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (160 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX280 HS
Travel photography with Nikon S5200
61
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (210 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
68
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (160 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography information
Nikon S5200 Landscape photography information
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery power (210 shots)
no Time Lapse function
41
pretty wide (26mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery life (160 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S5200 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (233g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no mic jack
32
pretty wide (26mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S5200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S5200
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon Coolpix S5200
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Nikon Coolpix S5200
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-03-21 2013-01-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 26-156mm (6.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.8 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233 grams (0.51 pounds) 146 grams (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 58 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 photographs 160 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $325 $130