Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


90 Imaging
40 Features
48 Overall
43
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
- 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
- Released March 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
- 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
- Announced February 2014
- Previous Model is Nikon S9500
- Replacement is Nikon S9900

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Overview
Here, we are comparing the Canon SX280 HS versus Nikon S9700, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and S9700 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX280 HS was unveiled 10 months before the S9700 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX280 HS scores against the S9700 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS & Nikon Coolpix S9700. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX280 HS Gallery & Nikon S9700 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon S9700
SX280 HS | S9700 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus |
Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Canon SX280 HS
S9700 | SX280 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2014 | ![]() | March 2013 | Newer by 10 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9700
SX280 HS | S9700 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither features Touch display |
Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX280 HS enjoys physical dimensions 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 S9700 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).
See the Canon SX280 HS versus Nikon S9700 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the S9700.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and S9700 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by going over technical specs. The pic below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX280 HS and S9700.
As you can tell, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon S9700 to offer you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged SX280 HS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Nikon Coolpix S9700 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Nikon Coolpix S9700 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2013-03-21 | 2014-02-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 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 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 99 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 25-750mm (30.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.7-6.4 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 6.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 233g (0.51 lb) | 232g (0.51 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
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 photographs | 300 photographs |
Style 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 |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $325 | $350 |