• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon Coolpix P520
  • Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX260 HS
SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: P520 SX280 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $449.95 $329.99
Street Price: $426.95 $299.69
Date Available: 2013-02-15 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 19.4 oz (550 g)
includes batteries
8.2 oz (233 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.3 x 4.0 in.
(125 x 84 x 102 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: BSI  
Effective Megapixels: 18.1 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: 1.26 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: No 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: 4896 x 3672 (18.0 MP, 4:3) 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), MPO JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.0 14.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​60i/​50i)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
960x540 (30p)
640x480 (120p/​30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (60/​30)
1280x720 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo) 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; 14 elements in 10 groups Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 1,000mm 25 - 500mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.3 - 180mm 4.5 - 90mm
Zoom Ratio: 42.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.0 (wide) / f/5.9 (tele) - f/8.3 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: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 2x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: 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: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF; 0.5 cm (0.2-in.) approx. 201K-dot equivalent LCD with the diopter adjustment function (-4 to +4 m-1)  
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): 3.2 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
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Fixed range auto (ISO 80-400, 80-800), ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Hi 1 (equivalent to 6400) Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto1/2, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Manual Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 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: 224-segment Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot 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: Back Light, Beach, Black and White Copy, Close Up, Dusk/Dawn, Fireworks Show, Food, Landscape, Museum, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Panorama, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Snow, Sports, Sunset, 3D Photography 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: 10 or 2 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: TBA 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
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo) MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: 15.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC:
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: Yes Yes
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control:
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Built-in GPS, Built-in Wi-Fi, Mini (Type-C) HDMI 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):    
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?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.0 14.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 7  
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):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
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):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 200 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, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Lens-shift Vibration Reduction (VR) with Active Mode, 18.1-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, 3.2-inch Vari-Angle LCD monitor, Full HD 1080p movies, Built-in GPS. Available in Black, Red or Dark Grey. 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.