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Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100

Portability
80
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 Key Specs

Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX500 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX520 HS
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
  • Announced August 2010
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Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Canon SX510 HS and Nikon S5100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX510 HS (12MP) and the S5100 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX510 HS was launched 3 years after the S5100 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX510 HS grades versus the S5100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Nikon S5100

 SX510 HS S5100 
AnnouncedAugust 2013August 2010Newer by 37 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon SX510 HS

 S5100 SX510 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX510 HS and Nikon S5100

 SX510 HS S5100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX510 HS provides outside measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs) whilst the Nikon S5100 has measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX510 HS and Nikon S5100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX510 HS and the S5100.

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX510 HS and S5100 is 80 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through technical specs. The picture here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX510 HS and S5100.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels and you can expect similar quality of pictures though you may want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher SX510 HS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Portrait photography features
Nikon S5100 Portrait photography features
34
focusing manually
provides face detection focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX510 HS
Street photography with Nikon S5100
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (132g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX510 HS
Sports photography with Nikon S5100
36
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Travel photography factors
Nikon S5100 Travel photography factors
54
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (250 shots)
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
62
lighter than competition (132g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Landscape photography info
Nikon S5100 Landscape photography info
40
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
32
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX510 HS
Vlogging with Nikon S5100
31
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (132 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
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Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX510 HS and Nikon S5100
 Canon PowerShot SX510 HSNikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX510 HS Nikon Coolpix S5100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-08-22 2010-08-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 1 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focus range 0cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash options Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 349 grams (0.77 pounds) 132 grams (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $249 $200