Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 450.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon S9100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the S9100.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX280 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX280 HS.

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Differences

Nikon S9100 advantages over Canon SX280 HS

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

270 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
More dots on screen
921k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Nikon S9100

Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Longer exposure
15 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
14.0 fps vs 9.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Neither provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S9100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX280 HS

Canon SX280

Review Excerpt

Backside-illuminated sensor for good low-light performance; Very long zoom; Good printed performance; Very fast autofocus.
Autofocus is not always reliable; Auto white balance renders skin tones a little red; Slow digital zoom.
Read our Nikon S9100 Express Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX280 HS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Canon SX280 HS First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Nikon S9100

Panasonic ZS8

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
More telephoto lens reach

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS8

Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic ZS8

$300
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Pentax RZ18

Nikon S9100

Pentax RZ18

$254
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

$210
1/2.33 inch

Manual focus
More pixels

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Pentax RZ18

Canon SX280 HS

Pentax RZ18

$300
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Built-in Wi-Fi

$210
1/2.33 inch

More pixels

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax RZ18

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Nikon S9100

Panasonic ZS15

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
More telephoto lens reach

$273
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Longer exposure

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS15

Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic ZS15

$300
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

$273
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15

Compared to Canon SX260 HS

Nikon S9100

Canon SX260 HS

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

$480
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX260 HS

Canon SX280 HS

Canon SX260 HS

$300
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Shoots 60p video

$480
1/2.3 inch

Shoots 24p video
Slow-motion videos

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX260 HS

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Nikon S9100

Panasonic ZS35

$254
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
More dots on screen

$300
1/2.33 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS35

Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic ZS35

$300
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Built-in GPS

$300
1/2.33 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS35

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