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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 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
  • Introduced March 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX270 HS
Nikon S8100
(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
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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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S8100

 SX280 HS S8100 
RevealedMarch 2013September 2010More recent by 31 months
Focus manually More exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Canon SX280 HS

 S8100 SX280 HS 
Display resolution921k461kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S8100

 SX280 HS S8100 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and S8100 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography features
Nikon S8100 Portrait photography features
34
focusing manually
includes face detect focus
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
26
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography details
Nikon S8100 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (233g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography details
Nikon S8100 Sports photography details
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
38
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography features
Nikon S8100 Travel photography features
61
lighter than competition in class (233g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
55
has built in flash
long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography info
Nikon S8100 Landscape photography info
41
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
32
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S8100 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (233g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
30
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S8100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S8100
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon 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