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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Key Specs

Canon SX280 HS
(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  • Superseded the Canon SX270 HS
Nikon S9700
(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
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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").

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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.

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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 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014March 2013Newer by 10 months
Display resolution921k461kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9700

 SX280 HS S9700 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 size comparison

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

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography details
Nikon S9700 Portrait photography details
34
manual focus
includes face detection focusing
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
37
resolution is good (16MP)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography features
Nikon S9700 Street photography features
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (232g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography info
Nikon S9700 Sports photography info
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 shots)
has no phase detect AF
53
long zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography advice
Nikon S9700 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than competition (233 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (210 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than average (232 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (750mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S9700 Landscape photography highlights
41
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery pack (210 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
45
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S9700 as a Vlogging camera
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (232g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon S9700
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon 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