Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9100
80 Imaging
46 Features
34 Overall
41


91 Imaging
35 Features
41 Overall
37
Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
- 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
- Released January 2016
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
- Introduced July 2011
- Later Model is Nikon S9300

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9100 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon S9100, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and S9100 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX420 IS was unveiled 4 years after the S9100 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S9100 being a Compact camera.
Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX420 IS matches up against the S9100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Nikon Coolpix S9100. The full galleries are available at Canon SX420 IS Gallery and Nikon S9100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Nikon S9100
SX420 IS | S9100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2016 | ![]() | July 2011 | More modern by 55 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Canon SX420 IS
S9100 | SX420 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon S9100
SX420 IS | S9100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9100 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX420 IS has got outer dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Nikon S9100 has measurements of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon S9100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the SX420 IS versus the S9100.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and S9100 is 80 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9100 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at specs. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX420 IS and S9100.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon SX420 IS to give greater detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger SX420 IS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon S9100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Nikon Coolpix S9100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Nikon Coolpix S9100 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2016-01-05 | 2011-07-19 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4+ | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 20 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Peak resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 25-450mm (18.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-6.6 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 0.5 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 4.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 325 gr (0.72 lb) | 214 gr (0.47 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") | 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 | 195 pictures | 270 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-11LH | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $299 | $329 |