Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100
81 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36


95 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX400 IS & Nikon Coolpix S5100. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX400 IS Gallery & Nikon S5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Nikon S5100
SX400 IS | S5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2014 | ![]() | August 2010 | More modern by 49 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Nikon S5100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS | Nikon 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 |