• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon Coolpix P500
  • Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon Coolpix P500 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX260 HS
SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: P500 SX280 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.95 $329.99
Street Price:   $299.69
Date Available: 2011-03-15 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.6 oz (499 g)
includes batteries
8.2 oz (233 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 4.0 in.
(116 x 84 x 103 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:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3968 x 2232 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1)
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 JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 8.0 14.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30/​15)
1280x720 (60/​30)
960x540 (30)
640x480 (120/​30)
320x240 (240)
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:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Zoom-Nikkor ED VR lens; 14 elements in 9 groups Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 23 - 810mm 25 - 500mm
Focal Length (actual): 4 - 144mm 4.5 - 90mm
Zoom Ratio: 36.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.4 (wide) / f/5.7 (tele) - f/8 f/3.5 (wide) / f/6.8 (tele) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF: Auto (9-area automatic selection), Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 0.24 in. TFT LCD, approx. 230,000 dot with diopter adjustment  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto (160 to 800), Fixed Range Auto (160 to 200, 160 to 400), High ISO Sensitivity Auto (ISO 160 to 1600) 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash, Preset Manual (Custom) Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1500 - 8 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Matrix, Center weighted, Spot, Spot AF Area 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: 19 Scene modes including Advanced Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Party/Indoor, Beach, Snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Close-up, Food, Museum, Fireworks show, Black and white copy, Panorama, Pet portrait; Easy Panorama Scene mode 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 , 10, Smile seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Flash off, Fill flash, Slow sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: [W]: 0.5 to 8.0 m (1 ft. 8 in. to 26 ft.) [T]: 2.2 to 4.5 m (7ft 3 in. to 14 ft.) Auto ISO: 50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: .MOV (H.264/MPEG-4) MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: 102.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC:
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control:
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI with CEC 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): 1.57  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 8.0 14.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.16 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.12 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.012 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 7.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 220 shots 210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL5 Proprietary NB-6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL5 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:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Canon software suite
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.4.11+ Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Tilting Hi-res LCD, 5-way VR Image Stabilization, Dual EXPEED C2 processors, full PASM, 19 Scene modes, full 1080p HD movies, HS movies up to 120 fps, HDMI output, Easy Panorama Scene mode, Advanced Night Landscape mode, Night Portrait mode, Smile Timer, Face Priority AF, Blink Warning, Red-eye Fix, Skin Softening, Best Shot Selector. Available in black or red. 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.