• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon S100 advantages over Nikon A900

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    192g vs 289g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon A900 advantages over Canon S100

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon A900
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Review Excerpt

  • Slimmer than past models; 12-megapixel resolution sensor improves on image quality across ISO range; Video includes 1080p, autofocus, and zoom during recording; HDR mode works well.

  • Costs $30 more; Slight buzz when zooming while recording video; Grip isn't as useful as it could be; Slow autofocus.

  • Read our Canon S100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon S95

Canon S100
Canon S95
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon S100 vs Canon S95

Nikon A900
Canon S95
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon A900 vs Canon S95

Compared to Canon S110

Canon S100
Canon S110
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon S100 vs Canon S110

Nikon A900
Canon S110
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon A900 vs Canon S110

Compared to Leica C

Canon S100
Leica C
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon S100 vs Leica C

Nikon A900
Leica C
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon A900 vs Leica C

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Canon S100
Panasonic ZS60
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon S100 vs Panasonic ZS60

Nikon A900
Panasonic ZS60
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon A900 vs Panasonic ZS60

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Canon S100
Canon SX730 HS
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon S100 vs Canon SX730 HS

Nikon A900
Canon SX730 HS
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Nikon A900 vs Canon SX730 HS

Compare Other Cameras?