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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
39
Overall
38

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 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
  • Launched March 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX270 HS
Nikon S6100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-196mm (F3.7-5.6) lens
  • 175g - 98 x 58 x 27mm
  • Revealed February 2011
Photography Glossary

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S6100, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Nikon. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and S6100 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was released 2 years later than the S6100 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SX280 HS grades versus the S6100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S6100

 SX280 HS S6100 
RevealedMarch 2013February 2011Fresher by 26 months
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S6100 over the Canon SX280 HS

 S6100 SX280 HS 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S6100

 SX280 HS S6100 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS features external dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Nikon S6100 has proportions of 98mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S6100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the S6100.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and S6100 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching specs. The graphic below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX280 HS and S6100.

All in all, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon S6100 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern SX280 HS is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S6100 Portrait photography highlights
34
has manual focus
includes face detect focusing
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
39
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography info
Nikon S6100 Street photography info
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (233 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX280 HS
Sports photography with Nikon S6100
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (210 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
37
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography details
Nikon S6100 Travel photography details
61
lighter than others (233g)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery (210 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
64
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S6100 as a Landscape photography camera
41
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery (210 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
45
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging information
Nikon S6100 Vlogging information
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (233g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
32
really wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S6100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S6100
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon Coolpix S6100
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Nikon Coolpix S6100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-03-21 2011-02-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-196mm (7.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.7-5.6
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT touchscreen 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 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233 gr (0.51 lbs) 175 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 58 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 210 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $325 $195