Clicky

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9300 front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
43
Overall
40

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX270 HS
Nikon S9300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 215g - 109 x 62 x 31mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon S9100
  • Updated by Nikon S9500
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Canon SX280 HS versus Nikon S9300, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and S9300 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX280 HS was revealed 9 months after the S9300 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX280 HS scores against the S9300 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S9300

 SX280 HS S9300 
IntroducedMarch 2013July 2012Newer by 9 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Nikon S9300 over the Canon SX280 HS

 S9300 SX280 HS 
Display resolution921k461kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9300

 SX280 HS S9300 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX280 HS enjoys exterior measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Nikon S9300 has sizing of 109mm x 62mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX280 HS versus Nikon S9300 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SX280 HS versus the S9300.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and S9300 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and S9300.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon S9300 to give more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent SX280 HS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S9300 Portrait photography highlights
34
has manual focus
offers face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography details
Nikon S9300 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (233g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (215g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography details
Nikon S9300 Sports photography details
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
46
amazing zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography features
Nikon S9300 Travel photography features
61
lighter than competition (233 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
66
lighter than competition (215 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography information
Nikon S9300 Landscape photography information
41
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery power (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX280 HS
Vlogging with Nikon S9300
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (215 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9300
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon Coolpix S9300
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Nikon Coolpix S9300
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-03-21 2012-07-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 -
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
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) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 6.9 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
Hot shoe
AE 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 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233 gr (0.51 lbs) 215 gr (0.47 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 109 x 62 x 31mm (4.3" 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 photos 200 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $325 $249