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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Released August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX270 HS
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX280 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both offered by Canon. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and SX280 HS (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was unveiled 6 months later than the SX280 HS so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SX170 IS scores versus the SX280 HS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX280 HS

 SX170 IS SX280 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX280 HS SX170 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX280 HS

 SX170 IS SX280 HS 
AnnouncedAugust 2013March 2013Similar generation
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has got external measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Canon SX280 HS has proportions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX280 HS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SX170 IS against the SX280 HS.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and SX280 HS is 88 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and SX280 HS.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon SX170 IS to give more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Portrait photography camera
44
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
has face detection focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
34
manual focus
features face detection focus
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography information
Canon SX280 HS Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography info
Canon SX280 HS Sports photography info
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography details
Canon SX280 HS Travel photography details
68
lighter than others in class (251g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography factors
Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography factors
49
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
41
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no external mic port
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX280 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISCanon PowerShot SX280 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-08-22 2013-03-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Digic 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 grams (0.55 lb) 233 grams (0.51 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 210 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $325