• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon N advantages over Nikon S2

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel

Nikon S2 advantages over Canon N

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.85 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 2.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Canon N
Canon N

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S2
Kit with 11-27.5mm Lens
  • Kit with 11-27.5mm Lens
  • Kit with 11-27.5mm and 30-110mm Lenses
All S2 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Head-turning (funky, but cool) design and solid build; 8x optical zoom lens with 28-224m-equivalent reach; Built-in Wi-Fi for easy image sharing (Facebook Ready version posts directly to the social site); Full HD 1080p video at 24fps.

  • Unintuitive (almost clumsy) physical controls; Inconsistent exposure and decision-making in Auto mode; Image quality not that much better than good smartphone cameras; Poor battery life (just 200 shots); Only uses microSD cards; Weak LED flash.

  • Read our Canon N Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S6500

Canon N
Nikon S6500
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon N vs Nikon S6500

Nikon S2
Nikon S6500
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Nikon S6500

Compared to Canon 330 HS

Canon N
Canon 330 HS
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $596
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon N vs Canon 330 HS

Nikon S2
Canon 330 HS
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $596
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Canon 330 HS

Compared to Pentax Q7

Canon N
Pentax Q7
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon N vs Pentax Q7

Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Canon N
Pentax Q-S1
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon N vs Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q-S1

Compared to Canon N2

Canon N
Canon N2
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon N vs Canon N2

Nikon S2
Canon N2
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Canon N2

Compare Other Cameras?