Canon PowerShot S90 vs SX280 HS: A Hands-On Comparison from a Seasoned Photographer’s Lens

When compact Canon cameras show up in the wild, they often come with expectations - classic Canon reliability mixed with clever engineering - aimed to satisfy photographers who want decent image quality without the bulk of bulky DSLRs or mirrorless beasts. Today, we pit the Canon PowerShot S90 (circa 2010) against the more recent Canon PowerShot SX280 HS (2013) to see which one truly delivers in real-world use - even against the ticking hands of time.

I’ve logged countless hours with Canon compacts, and while neither of these belongs in the professional flagship category, each stands as a strong contender in its era and segment: the S90 shines as a dedicated enthusiast’s pocket camera with a bright lens, while the SX280 HS appeals to those craving zoom versatility without sacrificing portability. Let’s dissect everything - from sensor tech and ergonomics to autofocus and video - to see where each camera flexes or fumbles.

Getting Physical: Size, Ergonomics, and Control Layout

First impressions count. Pulling these from the bag, you quickly notice the S90’s slightly smaller footprint and refined shape designed to nestle unobtrusively in your hand - or jacket pocket. The SX280 HS, sporting a superzoom lens, bulks up noticeably but remains manageable for a travel companion.

The S90 measures a compact 100x58x31mm and weighs a dainty 195g, which is impressive for a compact offering an f/2.0 aperture at the wide end. The SX280 HS ups the size to 106x63x33mm and weight to 233g, reflecting its 20x zoom lens housing.

Ergonomically, the S90 features a well-placed shutter button and a thoughtfully designed thumb rest that invites a secure grip - key for stability in lower shutter speeds. However, the stronger side grip of the SX280 HS gives a more confident hold during extended shooting, especially considering the zoom weight up front.

Switching over to the control layout seen from above:

The S90 keeps things clean with a classic mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, and a conveniently positioned control ring on the lens barrel - a delight for tactile aperture or shutter speed tweaks. It’s a nod to photographers accustomed to analog controls.

The SX280 HS leans on a simpler mode dial with fewer manual control shortcuts. Its button cluster is commodious, but lacks the S90’s pro-style dials. For users looking to manually steer creative settings on the fly, the S90’s control surface outshines its rival.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now, the heart of the camera: the sensor. It’s where the rubber meets the road in image quality.

The S90 sports a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58mm with around 10 megapixels. In 2010, that sensor size was relatively large for a compact, allowing reasonably good shadow detail and color depth. Using DxOMark benchmarks as a guide, the S90 earned a respectable overall score of 46, with notable color depth (20.2 bits) and dynamic range (~11 EV). However, low-light ISO performance maxes out around ISO 185 before noise intrudes noticeably - a natural limit for a CCD from that era.

On the flip side, the SX280 HS rides the wave of newer CMOS tech with a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55mm) delivering 12 megapixels. While smaller in physical dimensions (28.07 mm² sensor area), this back-illuminated sensor is arguably superior in noise control and read-out speed. The trade-off is higher resolution packed into less sensor real estate, which can impact noise and dynamic range - though modern processing helps mitigate that.

Unfortunately, DxOMark hasn't tested the SX280 HS - but from my hands-on experience and side-by-side comparisons, the SX280 HS commits fewer sins in high ISO shooting, delivering cleaner files, especially at ISO 800 and above, making it friendlier for low-light and indoor use.

Pixel count favors the SX280 HS by a bit, enabling larger prints or tighter crops, but physical pixel size remains key in noise. The S90's larger pixels tend to preserve highlight and shadow nuances better when exposure is spot-on, despite dated sensor tech.

The Viewfinder and Screen: Keeping an Eye on Composition

Neither camera offers a viewfinder - electronically or optical - meaning you must lean on the rear LCD for composing shots.

Luckily, both pack 3-inch fixed screens with similar 461k-dot resolution, decent for previewing images and fine-tuning composition. The absence of touchscreen controls in both models means menu navigation isn’t quite as frictionless as today’s touch-enabled competitors, but the physical buttons are logical and responsive.

In direct sunlight, the S90’s display tends to wash out more quickly compared to the slightly brighter SX280 HS screen. But both are workable with care.

Of note: the S90 includes live view with contrast-detection autofocus, which can feel sluggish, whereas the SX280 HS lacks live view AF but offers faster autofocus performance overall, especially in single and continuous AF modes.

Autofocus Systems: Nailing Focus Across Genres

The S90 relies on a 9-point contrast-detection AF system without face or eye detection - standard fare for its era. Focus speed is sedate by today’s standards; locking focus in low light or on moving subjects often requires patience or manual override.

In contrast, the SX280 HS steps up with continuous AF, face detection, and autofocus tracking - a boon for subjects in motion and portraits. While it lacks animal eye AF, its use of contrast-detection combined with optimized algorithms yields notably quicker focus lock and tracking ability versus the S90.

Practically, shooting street or wildlife with the S90 demands deliberate composition and timing to cope with slower AF. The SX280 HS’s faster AF and tracking unlock dynamic shooting opportunities - especially at the long end of its 20x zoom.

Lens: Brightness vs Zoom - What Matters to You?

This comparison is a classic battle: bright, moderate zoom vs extensive reach but slower aperture.

The S90’s lens starts at a very bright f/2.0 at its 28mm equivalent wide end, tapering to f/4.9 at 105mm equivalent. This fast aperture enables precise low-light capture, shallow depth of field for portraits, and impactful subject separation with pleasing bokeh - unexpected magic in compact form.

On the other hand, the SX280 HS delivers a whopping 20x zoom: 25-500mm equivalent with a slower f/3.5-6.8 aperture. It grants substantial framing flexibility - ideal for wildlife or travel scenarios where switching lenses isn’t an option. But that comes at the cost of depth of field control and low-light performance. At telephoto extremes, you’re frequently pushing higher ISO and shutter speeds or relying heavily on image stabilization.

Optical image stabilization is present on both models, critical for handholding at longer focal lengths and slower shutter speeds, particularly on the SX280 HS.

How They Handle in the Wild: Burst Speed and Shutter Range

Shooting action and capturing fleeting moments demands a responsive camera.

The S90 disappoints slightly here, maxing out at a pedestrian 1 fps continuous shooting rate, limiting its utility for fast sports or wildlife sequences. Shutter speed range is 15 seconds to 1/1600 sec, respectable for creative work but somewhat restrictive by modern standards.

The SX280 HS steps ahead with 4 fps burst, allowing more confident tracking of moving subjects, paired with a shutter speed sweet spot extending up to 1/3200 sec - useful when snapping bright outdoor scenes or freezing fast movement.

Neither camera is a dedicated sports tool by any means, but if the goal is casual action or wildlife photography, the SX280 HS offers more breathing room.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Both models feature optical image stabilization - an absolute necessity given their small, light bodies prone to camera shake.

I noticed the S90’s stabilization is quite effective at moderate focal lengths, letting me confidently shoot handheld down to about 1/15s without blur. At longer focal lengths, its limited zoom range and fast lens aperture somewhat compensate for stabilization shortcomings.

The SX280 HS offers similar stabilization benefits, but the longer zoom magnifies shake, demanding even steadier handling or higher shutter speeds. However, it handles low-light situations better, courtesy of its CMOS sensor and higher max ISO 6400 - though noise at the top end requires careful management.

Video Capabilities: Then vs Now

If video matters, these cameras tell very different stories.

The aging S90 records video only at a paltry 640x480 resolution (30 fps) using H.264 compression. It’s functional for casual snippets but nothing to write home about.

The SX280 HS - being more contemporary - captures far more capable full HD at 1920x1080 (60fps and 30fps options), including slow-motion at 640x480/120fps and even 240fps at 320x240. It supports MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, making for versatile clip-making on the fly.

Neither camera sports microphone or headphone jacks, a lack that limits serious videography, but the SX280 HS is clearly superior for casual video work in terms of resolution and features.

Battery Life and Storage: Marathon or Sprint?

Battery endurance is critical for travel and event photography. The SX280 HS claims 210 shots on a single charge, while the S90's modest 195g weight and smaller size obscure specific cycle counts but generally fall short of modern standards.

Both use the NB-6L pack, but the SX280 HS often benefits from slight efficiency improvements stemming from newer processor technology. Real-world use will vary, but expect to carry spares, especially when shooting extensively or recording video.

Storage-wise, the S90 supports SD and MMC cards, whereas the SX280 HS is compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards - reflecting progress in larger storage support.

Wireless and Connectivity: How Connected Are They?

Here the SX280 HS shines with built-in GPS for geotagging - a convenience for travel photographers documenting precise locations. It also includes wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi), enabling basic image sharing without cables, which the S90 sorely lacks.

Both cameras offer USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, but the SX280 HS’s wireless features edge out the S90 in modern-day convenience.

Weather Sealing and Durability

Neither camera emphasizes ruggedness: there is no official waterproofing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. These cameras are intended primarily for casual, everyday use rather than harsh environments. The SX280 HS’s slightly bulkier body may offer a somewhat sturdier feel, but neither camera is built for heavy professional abuse.

Real-World Use Cases and Genre Performance

Considering practical applications, here’s where each model excels and falters across common photography genres:

• Portrait Photography:
  The S90’s fast f/2.0 lens wide aperture lets it create beautifully smooth backgrounds and better subject isolation, plus accurate skin tone rendition typical of Canon’s color science of that period. Its lack of face or eye detection AF makes focusing slightly manual, but the control ring compensates with exposure and aperture tweaking agility. The SX280 HS’s autofocus with face detection aids portrait framing more intuitively but its slower apertures limit bokeh creativity.

• Landscape Photography:
  The S90’s larger sensor grants better dynamic range, capturing shadow details in scenes with high contrast. The SX280 HS’s longer zoom allows framing of distant features, though narrower apertures and smaller sensor limit low noise and overall image quality for large prints. Neither offers weather sealing, so caution outdoors is advised.

• Wildlife Photography:
  The SX280 HS wins here due to its 20x zoom range, 4 fps burst, and AF tracking capabilities, enabling better subject capture from a distance. The S90’s 3.8x zoom and slow burst rate limit its wildlife use largely to close encounters or stationary subjects.

• Sports Photography:
  Neither camera is ideal. The SX280 HS’s faster burst rate and AF tracking improve its chances, yet autofocus lag remains a challenge compared to dedicated sports bodies. The S90’s 1 fps rate is a no-go for action.

• Street Photography:
  The S90’s compact size and fast lens make it a stealthy street shooter, enabling candid captures and sharp focus in low light. The SX280 HS is slightly larger and more obvious, less suited for covert snapping but versatile due to zoom flexibility.

• Macro Photography:
  Both cameras offer a minimum focusing distance of 5 cm with optical image stabilization, making close-ups manageable, though neither specialized for macro. The S90’s brighter lens might edge macro shots with better background separation.

• Night / Astro Photography:
  The S90’s limited ISO 3200 ceiling and slower AF hinder astrophotography. The SX280 HS’s higher max ISO and longer shutter speeds help, but small sensors and lack of manual bulb limit stellar results.

• Video:
  The SX280 HS’s Full HD and frame rate options comfortably outpace the S90’s VGA output, making it a better casual video companion.

• Travel:
  The S90’s slightly smaller form and pocketability favor urban exploration and quick snaps. The SX280 HS is better equipped for diverse scenes requiring zoom but adds bulk and more frequent battery concerns.

• Professional work:
  Both cameras fall short for professional needs. The S90 offers raw shooting, appealing to enthusiasts, while the SX280 HS lacks raw support, limiting post-processing latitude.

Comprehensive Image Quality and Genre Scores

To round out the quality discussion, here’s a visually digestible rating summary comparing the models side by side across key metrics:

Canon S90 screen back Canon SX280 HS front Canon SX280 HS screen back

Captured in controlled lighting and field conditions, S90 images hold their ground in sharpness and color fidelity, while the SX280 HS surprises with cleaner high ISO shots and range versatility.

Here, the S90 excels in color accuracy and dynamic range; the SX280 HS scores better on autofocus speed and telephoto reach.

This detailed breakdown gives nuanced perspective to each camera’s utility by photography style.

Final Verdict: Which Canon Pocket Compact is Your Best Bet?

So, how to choose between the 2010 Canon PowerShot S90 and 2013 Canon SX280 HS? It boils down to your priorities:

• Choose the Canon PowerShot S90 if you:

  • Crave superior image quality in a true pocketable body
  • Want fast, bright optics for portraits, street, and low-light photography
  • Appreciate manual controls and raw format for creative freedom
  • Can accept slower autofocus and no video beyond basic capture
  • Value color and dynamic range over zoom reach

• Choose the Canon PowerShot SX280 HS if you:

  • Need one versatile zoom camera for travel, wildlife, and video
  • Desire faster autofocus with face detection and tracking
  • Want Full HD video capability alongside stills
  • Prefer wireless connectivity and GPS features
  • Are okay with somewhat noisier files at ISO extremes and no raw support

In my hands-on experience, the S90 is a gem for photographic enthusiasts wanting a compact companion with creative latitude. The SX280 HS caters well to travelers and casual shooters valuing zoom and video without lugging lenses or heavier gear.

If budget is a constraint, the SX280 HS often comes at a friendlier price point, while the S90 commands a premium for its optics and age. Both reward thoughtful use but differ sufficiently to serve distinct users.

I hope this side-by-side comparison helps you cut through marketing gloss and pick the Canon compact that fits your shooting style like a glove. Remember, no camera is perfect - but when you know their strengths and quirks, you can make magic happen no matter which Canon you carry.

Happy shooting!