Clicky

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100

Portability
81
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Key Specs

Canon SX400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
  • Launched July 2014
Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released August 2010
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Canon SX400 IS versus Nikon S5100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the SX400 IS (16MP) and S5100 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The SX400 IS was brought out 4 years after the S5100 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX400 IS matches up against the S5100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Nikon S5100

 SX400 IS S5100 
ReleasedJuly 2014August 2010More modern by 49 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon SX400 IS

 S5100 SX400 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX400 IS and Nikon S5100

 SX400 IS S5100 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX400 IS comes with physical dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Nikon S5100 has proportions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX400 IS versus Nikon S5100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX400 IS and the S5100.

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX400 IS and S5100 is 81 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The picture below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX400 IS and S5100.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon SX400 IS to result in more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern SX400 IS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon S5100 Portrait photography information
36
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Street photography info
Nikon S5100 Street photography info
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (132g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX400 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S5100
42
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (190 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Travel photography info
Nikon S5100 Travel photography info
60
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (190 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
62
lighter than competition in class (132 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Landscape photography factors
Nikon S5100 Landscape photography factors
41
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery power (190 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon S5100 Vlogging highlights
28
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (132 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX400 IS and Nikon S5100
 Canon PowerShot SX400 ISNikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX400 IS Nikon Coolpix S5100
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-07-29 2010-08-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4+ Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing range 0cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m -
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 grams (0.69 pounds) 132 grams (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 190 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11LH EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $229 $200