Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS Comparison

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Nikon S9100

12 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Canon SX280 HS

12 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing S9100 and SX280 HS, two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras from Nikon and Canon. Both Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS cameras have 12.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensors. Nikon S9100 was introduced to market in July 2011 and Canon SX280 HS was launched in March 2013. There is 20 months difference between S9100 and SX280 HS so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger SX280 HS, especially in sensor tech.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon S9100 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2011-07-19

12MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 160 - 3200

25-450 mm F3.5-5.9 Zoom Lens

Sensor-shift Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

10 fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

240fps High-Speed Video

214g. 105 x 62 x 35 mm

Canon SX280 HS Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2013-03-21

12MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 100 - 6400

25-500 mm F3.5-6.8 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

4 fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

240fps High-Speed Video

Built-in Wireless

Built-in GPS

233g. 106 x 63 x 33 mm

Replaced Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Compare

Nikon S9100 was replaced by Nikon Coolpix S9300. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Nikon Coolpix S9300 vs Nikon Coolpix S9100
Nikon Coolpix S9300 vs Canon PowerShot SX280 HS

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix S9100 over Canon PowerShot SX280 HS

LCD Screen Resolution	921k dots vs 461k dots	99% higher resolution screen
Continuous Shooting	10.0fps vs 4.0fps	6 fps faster
Battery Life	270 shots vs 210 shots	60 more frames with a single charge
Weight	214 g vs 233 g	19 g lighter
Max Aperture - Tele	5.90 vs 6.80	faster lens at tele
Flash Coverage	4.0m vs 3.5m	0.5m longer range

Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot SX280 HS over Nikon Coolpix S9100

Wireless Connection	Built-In vs None	Better connectivity
GPS	BuiltIn vs None	track your location
Max ISO	6.400 vs 3.200	100% higher Max ISO
Max Mech. Shutter	1/3200s vs 1/2000s	faster mechanical shutter
Manual Exposure	Yes vs No	better exposure control
Focal Length - Tele	500mm vs 450mm	50 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	20× vs 18×	more flexible focal coverage

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix S9100 and Canon PowerShot SX280 HS

Image Stabilization	Sensor-shift vs Optical	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash	Yes vs Yes	Useful in low-light
Face Detection Focus	Yes vs Yes	very handy for portraits
Manual Focusing	Yes vs Yes	both have manual focusing modes
Focal Length - Tele	450mm vs 500mm	Very good Telezoom

Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix S9100 and Canon PowerShot SX280 HS

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	No flexible viewing angles
External Flash Shoe	No vs No	Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder	None vs None	No eye-level shooting option
RAW Support	No vs No	Lower image quality
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions
Max Aperture - Tele	5.90 vs 6.80	Slow lenses at tele

Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon S9100 has external dimensions of 105 x 62 x 35 mm (4.13 x 2.44 x 1.38″) and weighs 214 g (0.47 lb / 7.55 oz) (including batteries). Canon SX280 HS has external dimensions of 106 x 63 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.48 x 1.3″) and weighs 233 g (0.51 lb / 8.22 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS. Nikon S9100 is 1mm narrower and 1mm shorter than Canon SX280 HS but it is also 2mm thicker.

Comparison image of Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS.

Comparison image of Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS.

Top View Comparison image of Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon S9100 is 19g lighter than the Canon SX280 HS but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

S9100

SX280 HS

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

S9100

SX280 HS

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Nikon Coolpix S9100 nor Canon PowerShot SX280 HS provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS: Sensor Comparison

Both Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS have 1/2.3-inch sized 12.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.

Below you can see the S9100 and SX280 HS sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS Cameras

Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon S9100 features a 25-450 mm F3.5-5.9 18× zoom lens whereas Canon SX280 HS features a 25-500 mm F3.5-6.8 20× zoom lens.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 25mm and have the same max aperture of f3.50 at this focal length. On the tele end, Canon SX280 HS has 50mm longer telezoom reach than the Nikon S9100. However, with a max aperture of f5.90, Nikon S9100 is faster at widest end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

S9100

SX280 HS

Widest - Ricoh WG-M1

Average

Telezoom

Compact Cameras

S9100

SX280 HS

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

S9100

SX280 HS

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

S9100

SX280 HS

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon S9100 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Canon SX280 HS for Portrait Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Nikon S9100 for Street Photography

GOOD

Canon SX280 HS for Street Photography

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Nikon S9100 for Sports Photography

POOR

Canon SX280 HS for Sports Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
450 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 270 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.90
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Wireless Connection
500 mm Tele Lens
Average Continuous Shooting: 4.0fps
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Unknown Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 210 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.80
Read the details

Nikon S9100 for Daily Photography

GOOD

Canon SX280 HS for Daily Photography

GOOD

Compact Body
214g
18.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Compact Body
233g
20.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Nikon S9100 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Canon SX280 HS for Landscape Photography

POOR

Manual Focus Mode
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Built-in GPS
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon S9100 and Canon SX280 HS scores compare:

Nikon S9100

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #174 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #727 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Canon SX280 HS

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #124 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #619 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Canon SX280 HS has a higher Overall Score than the Nikon S9100 and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9100 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Nikon Coolpix S9100	Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Brand	Nikon	Canon
Announced	2011-07-19	2013-03-21
Body Type	Compact	Compact
Sensor
Type	BSI-CMOS	BSI-CMOS
Size	1/2.3-inch	1/2.3-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area	28.07mm²	28.07mm²
Megapixels	12 megapixels	12 megapixels
Max Resolution	4000 x 3000	4000 x 3000
Max Native Light sensitivity	3,200 ISO	6,400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	160 ISO	100 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points	9	n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	fixed lens
Lens Focal Range	25-450 mm (18×)	25-500 mm (20×)
Max Aperture	F3.5-5.9	F3.5-6.8
Macro Focus Range	4cm	5cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	3"	3"
Resolution	921k dots	461k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/2000s	1/3200s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization	Sensor-shift	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	4.00 m	3.50 m
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	10.0 fps	4.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080
Video Formats	MPEG-4, H.264	MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	None	Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	214g	233g
Dimensions	105 x 62 x 35mm	106 x 63 x 33mm
Battery Life	270 shots	210 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	Built-in
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction