Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38
93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 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
- Introduced March 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
- Revealed September 2010
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 Overview
Below is a extended review of the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S8100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the S8100 (12MP) is very similar and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe SX280 HS was revealed 2 years later than the S8100 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SX280 HS scores against the S8100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS & Nikon Coolpix S8100. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX280 HS Gallery & Nikon S8100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S8100
| SX280 HS | S8100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | March 2013 | September 2010 | More recent by 31 months | |
| Focus manually | More exact focus |
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Canon SX280 HS
| S8100 | SX280 HS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 921k | 461k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S8100
| SX280 HS | S8100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Neither comes with Touch display |
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX280 HS comes with external dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Nikon S8100 has specifications of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S8100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SX280 HS vs the S8100.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and S8100 is 91 and 93 respectively.
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX280 HS and S8100.
As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution and you can expect similar quality of photos although you should always consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more modern SX280 HS will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Nikon Coolpix S8100 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Nikon Coolpix S8100 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2013-03-21 | 2010-09-08 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 6 | Expeed C2 |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| 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 | 12 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 160 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 30-300mm (10.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.5-5.6 |
| Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 1cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.50 m | - |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
| External flash | ||
| 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 233g (0.51 pounds) | 180g (0.40 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around 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 images | 220 images |
| Form 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 recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Launch cost | $325 | $299 |