Canon PowerShot SX70 HS vs Nikon Coolpix S9100: An Expert Superzoom Showdown

When it comes to superzoom cameras, the options are plenty - but finding the right one for your photography style and budget can be tricky. Today, we’re putting two small-sensor superzooms head to head: Canon’s PowerShot SX70 HS and Nikon’s Coolpix S9100. Both cameras offer significant zoom capabilities, fused with compact, travel-friendly designs. But how do they stack up in real-world usage, technical performance, and practical workflow integration? As someone who has extensively tested cameras across genres for over 15 years, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make a confident choice.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Right from the outset, these two cameras serve different user expectations and ergonomic preferences.

• Canon SX70 HS: This is a large, SLR-style bridge camera with a beefy grip and robust build. Its dimensions (127 x 91 x 117 mm) and weight (608 g) confer a sturdy feel that many will find reassuring for prolonged use - especially when shooting telephoto. The body offers dedicated dials and buttons, supporting manual exposure controls.

• Nikon S9100: Significantly smaller and lighter at 105 x 62 x 35 mm and 214 g, the S9100 is a pocket-friendly compact with a traditional point-and-shoot silhouette. While easy to carry all day, it sacrifices some ergonomic control for portability.

The difference in design philosophy reflects their target audiences. Canon’s SX70 HS aims to please enthusiasts looking for DSLR-like control wrapped around a versatile zoom lens, while Nikon’s S9100 appeals to casual shooters prioritizing portability and simplicity.

Control Layout and User Interface

The SX70 HS excels with a traditional control layout: you get a mode dial including manual and aperture priority, a thumb joystick for AF point selection, and customizable buttons. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides 100% coverage with 2360k-dot resolution, which is excellent for composing in bright light. The fully articulating 3-inch LCD offers flexibility for vlogging or shooting at tricky angles.

By contrast, the S9100 lacks an EVF entirely. Its 3-inch fixed LCD (921k dots) remains visible in most conditions but isn’t touch-sensitive and cannot articulate. The interface is simplified - no manual exposure modes or shutter priority, and the camera uses a more basic control scheme. The built-in flash options are basic, with no external flash support.

Sensor and Image Quality: What Does That Small Sensor Mean?

Performing well on image quality tests and producing vibrant, sharp images in the field starts with sensor technology.

Technical Insights

Both cameras use identically sized 1/2.3" sensors, standard in small superzooms and compact cameras. However, the Canon’s higher 20MP resolution offers more detail potential, especially when cropping or printing large. The Nikon’s 12MP sensor trades some resolution for potentially cleaner images at high ISO due to larger pixels but lacks RAW support, limiting flexibility in post-processing.

Canon’s inclusion of RAW is significant for enthusiasts and professionals seeking to fine-tune skin tones, shadows, and highlights rigorously. Image quality from both cameras in good light is competent, but the SX70 HS tends to deliver sharper images and better dynamic range, courtesy of its newer DIGIC 8 processor and higher pixel count.

Autofocus and Zoom: Getting Closer, Getting Sharp

Zoom Range Comparison

• Canon SX70 HS: 65x optical zoom, 21-1365mm equivalent - one of the longest zoom ranges on this type of sensor.
• Nikon S9100: 18x optical zoom, 25-450mm equivalent.

The SX70 HS dominates with its super-telephoto reach - ideal for wildlife and sports enthusiasts who need to isolate subjects at a great distance.

Autofocus Performance

Canon’s SX70 HS autofocus is more flexible and responsive, particularly in continuous and tracking modes. It delivers a smoother experience when capturing moving subjects, which is crucial for wildlife and sports photography. While Nikon offers basic tracking, it lacks manual exposure controls that allow complementary creative freedom.

Photography Disciplines: How Each Camera Excels Across Genres

Let's analyze how these two cameras perform in specialized photography niches, relying on hands-on testing insights.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Background Separation

The Canon’s larger zoom and faster lens aperture at wider focal lengths (f/3.4-6.5) provide decent background blur for subject isolation. Its RAW support allows subtle tuning of skin tones - crucial for natural, flattering results. Eye detection is absent on both, requiring careful focusing.

Nikon’s S9100, with a slightly slower aperture and lower resolution sensor, is less suited to portraits where bokeh or subject-background separation is critical. The lack of manual exposure control can lead to less predictable skin tone renditions under mixed lighting.

Win for Portraits: Canon SX70 HS

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Detail

Landscape work emphasizes dynamic range, high resolution, and ideally weather sealing.

• The SX70 HS, equipped with a 20MP sensor and DIGIC 8 processor, underpins better shadow and highlight management. While not weather-sealed, its solid build permits more comfortable handling with accessories like lens hoods.
• The S9100’s 12MP sensor produces softer results that may lack fine detail when cropping. It also lacks exposure bracketing, limiting HDR capability.

Neither is weather sealed, so carry protection when shooting outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports: Fast Action and Long Reach

Canon’s 65x zoom and continuous AF at 10 fps offer a clear advantage:

• The zoom allows photographing distant birds or athletes without intruding.
• Autofocus tracking engages smoothly, improving keeper rates.
• Burst shooting at 10 fps maintains resolution and focus accuracy.

Nikon’s shorter 18x zoom limits long-distance reach, and composite autofocus systems may struggle with abrupt subject moves.

Street Photography and Travel: Discretion and Portability

Here, Nikon’s smaller size and light weight come into their own:

• The S9100 fits easy in coat pockets, making it less intimidating for candid street shots.
• Silent operation and quick startup are beneficial.
• Its simpler controls reduce the barrier for spontaneous shooting.

Canon’s SX70 HS is bulkier and more conspicuous, but its versatile shooting modes and articulating screen aid low-angle and selfie-style shooting while traveling.

Macro Photography: Close Focus Capabilities

• Canon’s macro focus down to 0 cm means it can focus extremely close, enabling detailed close-ups and filling the frame.
• Nikon requires 4 cm minimum, slightly limiting working distance.

Both benefit from optical image stabilization, but Canon’s longer lens zoom range also helps frame difficult subjects from a distance.

Night and Astrophotography: Handling Low Light

Both cameras use 1/2.3" sensors with max native ISO of 3200, limiting ultimate low-light capabilities compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors.

• Canon’s newer DIGIC 8 processor offers improved noise reduction algorithms and manual controls, helping craft longer exposures.
• Nikon’s limited ISO range starting at 160 and no RAW format reduce creative options.

Neither is optimized for advanced astro work, but Canon's timer-based long exposure modes and better noise reduction give it an edge in casual night photography.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio

• Canon SX70 HS shoots 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 30 fps and allows external microphones for better audio - an important feature for vloggers.
• Nikon S9100 tops out at 1080p Full HD, lacks microphone ports, and doesn’t support 4K.

Both cameras have optical image stabilization, but Canon uses lens-based stabilization offering smoother, shake-resistant video.

Professional Use: Reliability, Workflow, and Formats

Professionals will favor the Canon SX70 HS for:

• Its RAW image support for flexible post-processing.
• Manual exposure modes enabling creative control.
• USB and HDMI ports for tethering and on-set monitoring.
• Bluetooth connectivity allowing instant image transfer.
• Longer battery life (325 shots vs Nikon's 270 shots).

Nikon’s S9100 serves more as a consumer camera with fewer professional workflow options.

LCD and Viewfinder: Articulating Screens vs Fixed Panels

The Canon’s fully articulating 3-inch LCD is a boon when shooting selfies, low angles, or video blogs. It pairs well with the EVF for versatile composing regardless of lighting.

Nikon’s fixed TFT-LCD has anti-reflective coating but no touchscreen or EVF, making it less adaptable outside standard shooting positions.

Canon SX70 HS front Canon SX70 HS screen back Nikon S9100 front Nikon S9100 screen back

Image Quality Comparison: A Closer Look at Sample Shots

Zoom, noise, and color accuracy testing in various lighting conditions showed:

• Canon SX70 HS delivers noticeably crisp images with vibrant colors and well-managed noise up to ISO 1600.
• Nikon S9100 tends to produce softer edges and more muted colors under similar conditions.
• At maximum zoom, Canon retains more detail and steadiness.

Check out these sample images that demonstrate these differences in sharpness, focus precision, and color temperature fidelity.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

• Canon SX70 HS: Uses a built-in rechargeable battery with good longevity (325 shots), supports SD, SDHC, SDXC cards with UHS-I speeds, includes Bluetooth, and USB 2.0.
• Nikon S9100: Uses replaceable EN-EL12 battery (270 shots), supports SD cards but lacks advanced connectivity options like Bluetooth or WiFi.

For travel shooters, Canon’s wireless features enable easier on-the-go sharing via smartphone apps.

Performance Summary at a Glance

Canon’s superior zoom, autofocus, and video tech place it significantly ahead, at the cost of greater size and weight.

Who Should Pick Which Camera?

• Choose Canon SX70 HS if you:

  • Prioritize a massive zoom range for wildlife, sports, or landscapes.
  • Want manual controls, RAW shooting, and high-res files.
  • Need 4K video with mic input for vlogging.
  • Value an articulating LCD and EVF combo.
  • Don’t mind a larger, heavier body.

• Choose Nikon S9100 if you:

  • Need a compact daily camera for street and casual travel shots.
  • Prefer lighter weight and pocketable design.
  • Have a tighter budget and don’t mind fewer advanced features.
  • Want a simple interface with quick access for snapshots.
  • Don’t require video beyond 1080p or RAW support.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Decision with Confidence

The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS and Nikon Coolpix S9100 occupy the same category but cater to fundamentally different photography journeys. The Canon impresses with its technical sophistication, versatility, and creative potential, making it a compelling tool for enthusiast photographers ready to explore telephoto and manual exposure worlds.

The Nikon S9100 offers a straightforward, user-friendly package ideal for newcomers seeking portability and modest zoom without the complexity of manual settings. While you sacrifice some image finesse and feature bells and whistles, the camera will reliably serve everyday photographic needs.

Getting Started With Your New Superzoom

Whenever you pick a model, it’s essential to:

• Experiment with different zoom ranges and focusing modes - especially on extended reach lenses.
• Explore manual or semi-manual controls (where available) to unlock creative possibilities.
• Test the articulating screen and EVF options for comfortable composing.
• Use a good quality SD card for faster writing speeds and improved buffer performance.
• Invest in a sturdy travel case and extra batteries or charger to keep shooting longer on the go.

Choosing the right superzoom camera means balancing reach, control, size, and budget. We hope this comparison helps you navigate those considerations and find a camera that feels like a natural extension of your artistic vision.

Happy shooting!

For in-depth hands-on trials and more sample images, check your local camera stores or rental programs to test these cameras yourself before making the final decision.