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Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS Key Specs

Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Superseded the Canon SX240 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX270 HS
Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Revealed March 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX270 HS
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Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS Overview

Below is a extended assessment of the Canon SX260 HS and Canon SX280 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both manufactured by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the SX280 HS (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was launched 9 months earlier than the SX280 HS so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the SX260 HS scores vs the SX280 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Canon SX280 HS

 SX260 HS SX280 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Canon SX260 HS

 SX280 HS SX260 HS 
RevealedMarch 2013June 2012More recent by 9 months

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Canon SX280 HS

 SX260 HS SX280 HS 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution461k461kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon SX260 HS provides external dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Canon SX280 HS has specifications of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs).

Check the Canon SX260 HS and Canon SX280 HS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the SX260 HS vs the SX280 HS.

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX260 HS and SX280 HS is 91 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by researching specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX260 HS and SX280 HS.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you have to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The older SX260 HS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography advice
Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography advice
37
you can focus manually
offers face detection focus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
has manual focus
supports face detection focus
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography details
Canon SX280 HS Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (231g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (233g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX260 HS
Sports photography with Canon SX280 HS
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Travel photography info
Canon SX280 HS Travel photography info
61
lighter than others (231 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (230 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than competitors in class (233g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery (210 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Landscape photography camera
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery (230 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
41
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery (210 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (231g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing external microphone port
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (233 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
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Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Canon SX280 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSCanon PowerShot SX280 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-06-04 2013-03-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 Digic 6
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231 gr (0.51 lb) 233 gr (0.51 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photos 210 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $349 $325