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Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Key Specs

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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX270 HS
Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • New Model is Canon SX510 HS
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Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both created by Canon. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and SX500 IS (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was released 8 months after the SX500 IS so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX280 HS matches up against the SX500 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Canon SX500 IS

 SX280 HS SX500 IS 
IntroducedMarch 2013August 2012Newer by 8 months

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon SX280 HS

 SX500 IS SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Canon SX500 IS

 SX280 HS SX500 IS 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution461k461kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS enjoys external measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Canon SX500 IS has proportions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX280 HS vs the SX500 IS.

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX280 HS and SX500 IS is 91 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The picture here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and SX500 IS.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX500 IS to provide greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SX280 HS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography information
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography information
34
has manual focus
has face detect focus
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
46
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX500 IS as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (233g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX280 HS
Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low fps (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
45
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (195 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX280 HS
Travel photography with Canon SX500 IS
61
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery power (210 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
60
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography information
Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography information
41
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery power (210 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
46
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery power (195 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging details
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging details
34
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (233g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
28
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
Photography Glossary

Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-03-21 2012-08-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 Digic 4
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 1
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/1600s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233 grams (0.51 lb) 341 grams (0.75 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 210 images 195 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $325 $299