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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 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 S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon S9300
  • Replacement is Nikon S9700
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and S9500 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was introduced 2 months after the S9500 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the SX280 HS matches up vs the S9500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S9500

 SX280 HS S9500 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Canon SX280 HS

 S9500 SX280 HS 
Display resolution614k461kCrisper display (+153k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9500

 SX280 HS S9500 
IntroducedMarch 2013January 2013Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX280 HS enjoys exterior measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Nikon S9500 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SX280 HS vs the S9500.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and S9500 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by going through specifications. The pic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and S9500.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon S9500 to show extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos way more aggressively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography features
Nikon S9500 Portrait photography features
34
focusing manually
supports face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
31
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography details
Nikon S9500 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (233 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (205g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Sports photography camera
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (210 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
41
incredible zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than average (233g)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery (210 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than average in class (205g)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (550mm)
very good max aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Landscape photography camera
41
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
46
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging details
Nikon S9500 Vlogging details
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (233 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
36
rather wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (205 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9500
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon Coolpix S9500
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Nikon Coolpix S9500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 99
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-550mm (22.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 7.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233g (0.51 lb) 205g (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 60 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 pictures 230 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $325 $230