Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100
65 Imaging
36 Features
55 Overall
43


96 Imaging
37 Features
23 Overall
31
Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX50 HS and Nikon Coolpix S3100. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX50 HS Gallery and Nikon S3100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Nikon S3100
SX50 HS | S3100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 24 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 2.8" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.1") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Nikon S3100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Nikon 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 |