Nikon D100 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D100 and the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D100 was introduced in July 2002 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS was introduced in March 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D100 Highlights

      • 6.1 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 1.8" 118k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Highlights

      • 10.0 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.80" 230k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D100 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      PROS

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Advantage of Nikon D100

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D100 over Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Nikon D100 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/3200 sec

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D100.

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX1 IS over Nikon D100.

      Nikon D100 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 6.1 Megapixel vs 10.0 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 80
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 3008 x 2000 vs 3648 x 2736
      Face Detection vs
      Image Stabilization vs
      Screen Type Fixed vs Fully Articulated
      Larger Screen 1.8" vs 2.80"
      Higher Resolution Screen 118k dot vs 230k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/180 sec vs 1/500 sec
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Lighter 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz) vs 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
      Internal Storage vs 32 MB
      Orientation Sensor vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D100 Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D100 Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
        Low Resolution Sensor6.1 Megapixel10.0 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Low Resolution Screen118k dot230k dot
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D100 has a 1.8" Fixed screen with 118k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a 2.80" Fully Articulated screen with 230k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Canon PowerShot SX1 IS selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

      Image cannot be displayed

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D100 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderCanon PowerShot SX1 IS has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. Nikon D100 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has 100% coverage magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D100 features a 6.1 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 369.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS features a 10.0 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Nikon D100 can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2240 x 1488, 1504 x 1000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer.


      Battery

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS comes with AA batteries (NiMH recommended) battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D100 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D100 has Electronic assist shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D100, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. Nikon D100 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 11.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D100 and 5.20 m on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on Nikon D100 and 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D100 body has dimensions of 144 x 116 x 81 mm (5.67 x 4.57 x 3.19") and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS body has dimensions of 128 x 88 x 88 mm (5.04 x 3.46 x 3.46"). Nikon D100 weighs 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS weighs 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz).

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      144 mm

      116 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      128 mm

      88 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      116 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      88 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      81 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      88 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D100 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      Nikon D100 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      POOR
      50
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      POOR
      49
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D100 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and give them scores of 52 and 59 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      OVERALL
      52
      OVERALL
      59

      Sensor

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      POOR
      51
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

      Video

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      84
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 118k dot
      GOOD
      80
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      BAD
      33
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      48
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D100

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      BAD
      39
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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