• 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.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon P520 advantages over Canon SX280 HS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,000 mm vs 500 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Nikon P520

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 101 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    233g vs 550g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S9100

Nikon P520
Nikon S9100
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
Canon SX280 HS
Nikon S9100
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon P510

Nikon P520
Nikon P510
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO
Canon SX280 HS
Nikon P510
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Canon SX260 HS

Nikon P520
Canon SX260 HS
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
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

Compared to Nikon P530

Nikon P520
Nikon P530
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
Canon SX280 HS
Nikon P530
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Nikon L840

Nikon P520
Nikon L840
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon SX280 HS
Nikon L840
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in GPS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
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