Canon S95 vs Canon SX280 HS

Below is a detailed assessment of the Canon S95 versus Canon SX280 HS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Canon. The sensor resolution of the S95 (10MP) and the SX280 HS (12MP) is relatively well matched but the S95 (1/1.7") and SX280 HS (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The S95 was manufactured 3 years before the SX280 HS and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the S95 grades vs the SX280 HS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot S95 and Canon PowerShot SX280 HS. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon S95 Gallery and Canon SX280 HS Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon S95 has got external measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") with a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Canon SX280 HS has dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs).

Check out the Canon S95 versus Canon SX280 HS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the S95 vs the SX280 HS.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S95 and SX280 HS is 93 and 91 respectively.

Usually, its hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements purely by checking technical specs. The visual below may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the S95 and SX280 HS.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S95 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Canon SX280 HS will resolve more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The older S95 is going to be behind in sensor tech.