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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Nikon D3100 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 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
  • Launched March 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX270 HS
Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3000
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3200
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the D3100 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the SX280 HS (1/2.3") and D3100 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The SX280 HS was brought out 2 years later than the D3100 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX280 HS being a Compact camera and the Nikon D3100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX280 HS grades vs the D3100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Nikon D3100

 SX280 HS D3100 
IntroducedMarch 2013December 2010Fresher by 28 months
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Canon SX280 HS

 D3100 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Nikon D3100

 SX280 HS D3100 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX280 HS comes with outer measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Nikon D3100 has dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs).

See the Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the SX280 HS and the D3100.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX280 HS and D3100 is 91 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing merely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX280 HS and D3100.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SX280 HS because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Nikon D3100 will show more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The younger SX280 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography factors
Nikon D3100 Portrait photography factors
34
has manual focus
supports face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
72
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX280 HS
Street photography with Nikon D3100
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (233 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography highlights
Nikon D3100 Sports photography highlights
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
60
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D3100 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors (233g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery (210 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
58
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX280 HS
Landscape photography with Nikon D3100
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery (210 shots)
missing Timelapse function
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX280 HS
Vlogging with Nikon D3100
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (233g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone support
27
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
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Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D3100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Nikon D3100
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSNikon D3100
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Nikon D3100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-03-21 2010-12-21
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 Expeed 2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.1 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 355.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3072
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 1
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Nikon F
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.6
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233 grams (0.51 lb) 505 grams (1.11 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 919
Other
Battery life 210 photos 550 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL14
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $325 $565