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Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Key Specs

Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Old Model is Canon SX40 HS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX60 HS
Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Launched February 2011
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Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX50 HS (12MP) and the S3100 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX50 HS was revealed 24 months after the S3100 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S3100 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX50 HS grades vs the S3100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Nikon S3100

 SX50 HS S3100 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2011Newer by 24 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Canon SX50 HS

 S3100 SX50 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Nikon S3100

 SX50 HS S3100 
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX50 HS offers outside measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Nikon S3100 has dimensions of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX50 HS against the S3100.

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX50 HS and S3100 is 65 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The picture below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX50 HS and S3100.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon S3100 to produce more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX50 HS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Portrait photography information
Nikon S3100 Portrait photography information
48
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX50 HS
Street photography with Nikon S3100
57
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than others (595 grams)
48
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Sports photography details
Nikon S3100 Sports photography details
39
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
32
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Travel photography details
Nikon S3100 Travel photography details
53
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (595 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
65
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Landscape photography details
Nikon S3100 Landscape photography details
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
33
rather wide (26mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S3100 as a Vlogging camera
58
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
lack of mic support
heavier than others (595 grams)
28
rather wide (26mm)
provides face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX50 HS and Nikon S3100
 Canon PowerShot SX50 HSNikon Coolpix S3100
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Nikon Coolpix S3100
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2013-01-15 2011-02-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 Expeed C2
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
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 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus range 0cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 202k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m 4.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595 grams (1.31 lb) 118 grams (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 179 not tested
Other
Battery life 315 photos 220 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $429 $139