• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D5100
  • Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D5000
D5000 vs D5100
Canon SX260 HS
SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
Successor: Nikon D5200
D5100 vs D5200
 
General
Model Number: D5100 SX280 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $899.95 $329.99
Street Price: $649.99 $299.69
Date Available: 2011-04-17 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (829 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
8.2 oz (233 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 79 mm)
4.2 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 63 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 368.16mm2 (23.60mm x 15.60mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.79 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 80  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.6  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,183  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3696 x 2448 (9.0 MP, Other),
2464 x 1632 (4.0 MP, Other)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.9 14.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30/​25/​24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (30/​25)
1920x1080 (60/​30)
1280x720 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F n/a
Lens: NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 25 - 500mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 4.5 - 90mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -36 (T) f/3.5 (wide) / f/6.8 (tele) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000; Single-point, Dynamic and Auto Area modes. One cross-type sensor. Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, ~95% coverage, ~0.78x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens and infinity, -1.0m^1), 17.9mm eyepoint (-1.0m^1), -1.7 to +0.7 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.52x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.78x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom: 31.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-6400, Hi-1=12800, Hi-2=25600 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Manual Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted (75% given to 8mm circle in the center), Spot (3.5mm circle (2.5%) centered on selected focus point) Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Scene (Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, Food, Night portrait, Night landscape), Special Effects (Stills or D-movies: Silhouette, Selective Color, Night Vision, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Color Sketch). Sports, SCN (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks), Creative Filters (Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Soft Focus, Super Vivid, Poster Effect)
Self Timer: 2, 5, 10, 20 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; 18-300mm coveraqge Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: 50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/200  
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I  
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional ML-L3 IR Remote or MC-DC2 Remote Cord  
Connections (extended): HDMI Out (with CEC), Accessory Terminal for Wired Remote (MC-DC2) or GPS (GP-1), 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack; DC-input via dummy battery AC adapter. Mini HDMI, Built-in Wi-Fi, Built-in GPS
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.73  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.77  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.77  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.9 14.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 13  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.9  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 9  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.27 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.28 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.488 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.248 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.29 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.114 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Optical Viewfinder: Wide-area AF: 0.408s Live View: Full AF lag: 1.28s Prefocused: 0.49s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 660 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL14 Proprietary NB-6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Canon software suite
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3" Vari-angle 921K-dot LCD, Full HD Videos (up to 1920x1080@30fps), In-camera Special Effects, Night Vision mode, HDR, Active D-Lighting, 3.5mm External Stereo Mic socket. Optical Image Stabilization, DIGIC 6, 1080p60 Full HD Movies, 14 fps HQ Burst Mode, Built-in GPS, Built-in Wi-Fi. Available in black or red.