Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus FE-47: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Cameras from a Pro’s Perspective

As someone who has tested thousands of cameras across every price range and category, I know how daunting it can be to choose the right compact camera in an era crowded with countless options. Today, I’m diving deep into a comparison between two distinct yet somewhat similar cameras: the Canon PowerShot SX280 HS and the Olympus FE-47. Both are small sensor compacts, but they differ significantly in features, design philosophy, and real-world capabilities. I’ve owned and extensively tested both over various shooting scenarios - from landscapes to wildlife, and casual street photography to travel snaps.

Through this comprehensive review, I will share my first-hand experience, provide technical insights, and narrate how these cameras perform across photography genres. If you are hunting for a reliable compact for your next adventure or just want to understand these models better, read on. This is my attempt to help you see beyond the specs and understand which might suit your needs best.

Getting Acquainted: Design, Size, and Build Quality

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of image quality and performance, let's talk about how these cameras fit in your hands and belt.

Size and Ergonomics: Practicality in the Palm

The Canon SX280 HS measures 106 x 63 x 33 mm and weighs approximately 233 grams with its NB-6L battery pack. In contrast, the Olympus FE-47 is slightly smaller and lighter, at 98 x 61 x 27 mm and 204 grams, powered by two AA batteries. Physically, both cameras qualify as pocketable compact models but the Canon feels a bit chunkier due to its integrated battery design and longer zoom lens.

From handling both, I found the Canon offers a more substantial grip, allowing for steadier handheld shooting, especially at longer focal lengths. The Olympus, with its smaller body, is perfect for those prioritizing portability above all else, but it feels a tad slippery during prolonged use.

Both cameras lack weather sealing, so be mindful when shooting outdoors in adverse conditions. The Canon's build inspires slightly more confidence in durability, thanks to its more rigid plastic chassis and denser button layout.

The Look and Feel: Control Layout and Top-Panel Usability

Buttons, dials, and the overall control scheme can make or break your shooting experience, especially in moments when you want to act fast.

The Canon SX280 HS sports a more refined and complex button layout with dedicated controls for exposure modes (including manual), a zoom lever, and function buttons. Its Digic 6 processor allows for manual focus, shutter and aperture priority modes, which are rare in compact cameras of this class.

On the other hand, the Olympus FE-47 is much simpler, targeted clearly at beginner users or folks who want a grab-and-go setup without fussing with settings. There’s no manual focus, no aperture or shutter priority modes, just point-and-shoot simplicity.

My workflow preference swings to the Canon’s arrangement because it balances ease with control, while the Olympus feels limiting the moment you want to get creative.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Core of the Matter

In the world of compact cameras, sensor size and technology hugely impact image quality. Both these cameras share the same 1/2.3” sensor size, but the devil is in the details.

• Canon SX280 HS employs a 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor paired with the newer Digic 6 image processor.
• Olympus FE-47 features a slightly higher resolution 14MP CCD sensor driven by the TruePic III processor, which is now quite dated.

To a casual viewer, 12MP vs 14MP might not seem decisive, but here’s where the sensor type matters. CMOS sensors with back illumination (BSI-CMOS) - like the Canon’s - are known for better light gathering ability and noise performance, especially at higher ISOs. Meanwhile, CCD sensors (in Olympus FE-47) generally produce good color fidelity under good light but falter significantly in low-light environments.

In my controlled tests, the Canon consistently delivered sharper images with better dynamic range and cleaner shadows. The Olympus images tended to be slightly softer and noisier above ISO 400. Also, the Canon's maximum ISO goes up to 6400, while Olympus tops out at 1600, limiting your low-light shooting options.

Display and User Interface: Framing and Reviewing Shots

An accessible and bright screen is crucial when you don’t have an optical or electronic viewfinder.

The Canon SX280 HS boasts a fixed 3-inch screen with 461k dots - crisp and clear enough for framing and checking focus details in most lighting situations. The Olympus FE-47’s 2.7-inch screen has a lower 230k dot count, which feels dimmer and less detailed, especially in bright sunlight.

Neither of these models has touchscreen functionality or an electronic viewfinder, so you rely entirely on this rear LCD. Considering this, the Canon again provides a more enjoyable user experience.

Versatility in Focal Range: Telephoto Reach and Macro Abilities

Zoom range can make or break your camera’s usefulness, especially for wildlife or travel photography where you can’t get close to the subject.

• Canon SX280 HS offers a whopping 25-500mm equivalent - a 20x optical zoom range.
• Olympus FE-47 has a more modest 36-180mm equivalent, or 5x zoom.

Having personally tracked birds or distant subjects with both cameras, I can say the Canon’s 500mm reach opens up creative possibilities that Olympus simply can’t compete with. That said, image quality does degrade somewhat at full zoom on the Canon, which is expected given the small sensor and extended focal length.

Macro-wise, the Olympus has a closer minimum focusing distance of 3 cm, compared to Canon’s 5 cm, which gives it a slight edge for getting close to flowers or small objects. However, image quality and stabilization at macro distances favor the Canon.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Tracking, and Accuracy

In any shooting style that involves movement, autofocus performance is critical.

• Canon supports contrast-detection AF with continuous autofocus and face detection.
• Olympus relies on contrast detection but lacks face detection and continuous AF.

From real-world experience, I found the Canon’s autofocus significantly faster and more reliable, especially tracking moving subjects such as children, pets, or street activity. The Olympus often hunts under low light or changeable contrast conditions, making it less dependable for fast action.

Neither camera uses phase detection AF or hybrid systems, unsurprising given their class and vintage.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Capturing the Moment

For wildlife or sports photography, continuous shooting speed and shutter range are essential.

• Canon offers up to 4 fps continuous shooting and shutter speeds from 15 sec to 1/3200 sec.
• Olympus has no continuous shooting mode and a narrower shutter range from 4 sec to 1/2000 sec.

4 frames per second isn’t blazing for sports, but for a compact camera, it provides useful flexibility. Olympus’s lack of continuous mode means you’re limited to single frames, not ideal for fast-moving subjects.

Video Capabilities: Moving Image Quality and Features

Both cameras offer video recording, but with very different specifications:

• Canon SX280 HS records Full HD 1080p at 60fps, uses H.264 compression, and includes optical image stabilization during video.
• Olympus FE-47 records VGA (640x480) resolution only, via Motion JPEG - quite obsolete by today’s standards.

I tested the Canon in a variety of scenarios including handheld nature walks and indoor lighting, and the video quality was impressively smooth and detailed given the compact form-factor. The Olympus video is blurry and soft, best reserved for quick snippets or casual use.

Neither camera offers microphone inputs or headphone jacks, limiting professional audio control.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity and Convenience

Battery capacity can make a huge difference for travel or long outings.

• Canon uses a proprietary NB-6L rechargeable battery, rated for approximately 210 shots per charge.
• Olympus runs off two AA batteries, with no official shot count but generally offering less endurance and requiring spares.

Proprietary batteries can be limiting if you run out on the road, but they’re lighter and recharge faster. A handful of AAs can be found anywhere, but the performance varies widely based on type (alkaline, NiMH).

Both cameras accept SD cards, but Olympus also includes internal storage which can be handy if your card fills unexpectedly.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless and GPS Features

Even in compact cameras, connectivity is a growing priority.

• Canon SX280 HS features built-in GPS and Wi-Fi (no Bluetooth or NFC).
• Olympus FE-47 offers no wireless features and no GPS.

For travel photographers, having GPS to geotag images and Wi-Fi for easy sharing or remote control is a big plus, tipping the balance toward the Canon again.

Shooting Genres: Which Camera Excels for What?

I always think about shooting styles when recommending gear - because no camera is perfect in all scenarios.

Portraits and People

The Canon’s face detection AF, manual exposure modes, and 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor allow attractive skin tones and decent background separation with its 25-500mm lens, especially between 50-100mm range. The Olympus’s lack of face detection and simpler exposure control make portraits more hit-or-miss.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution and dynamic range matter most. Canon’s Digic 6 and sensor produce punchy colors and more detail, while Olympus’s higher pixel count is offset by noisier images and weaker dynamic range. You also miss out on weather sealing on both cameras, so treat them as fair-weather companions.

Wildlife and Telephoto Use

Canon absolutely wins here with its long 500mm reach and faster AF. Olympus’s 180mm is limiting for distant subjects. Continuous shooting in Canon lets you capture bird flight or animal antics better.

Sports and Action

Neither camera is a true sports shooter, but Canon’s 4 fps burst and quicker shutter speed range outpace the Olympus comfortably. Olympus only offers single-shot AF, making it unsuitable for fast action.

Street and Travel Photography

Olympus’s compact size and simplicity make it an easy daily carry camera. Canon’s bigger size is still portable but more noticeable. Both have limited low-light capabilities compared to today’s premium compacts, but Canon’s superior sensor helps in dim scenes.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s closer macro minimum distance is an advantage for flower and bug shots, but Canon’s optical image stabilization helps get sharper photos handheld closer to 5cm.

Night and Astro

Canon’s higher ISO ceiling and longer shutter speeds provide a pathway to nightscapes and astro shots, albeit limited by sensor size. Olympus’s lower ISO max and shorter shutter range hinder performance.

Summarizing the Scores: An Objective Look

I compiled my performance scores based on real shooting sessions evaluating image quality, autofocus, handling, video, and overall usability.

• Canon SX280 HS scores consistently higher across categories due to newer design, sensor, and features.
• Olympus FE-47 scores lower in image quality and video but holds on to points for simplicity and portability.

A more granular, genre-specific breakdown:

This visualization aligns with my impressions: Canon excels for wildlife, travel versatility, and video, while Olympus is okay for simple street and snapshot photography.

Final Thoughts and Who Should Buy Which?

Having lived with both cameras extensively, here’s my takeaway:

Buy the Canon PowerShot SX280 HS If…

• You want the longest zoom in a compact, versatile enough for wildlife and travel.
• You desire manual controls for creative shooting.
• Video quality and stabilization matter to you.
• You value GPS and Wi-Fi for sharing and geo-tagging.
• You shoot in low-light or need useful continuous AF performance.

Buy the Olympus FE-47 If…

• You seek a pocketable, straightforward compact without fuss.
• You only want a basic camera for everyday snapshots.
• Budget restrictions are tight (it’s commonly found at very low prices or used).
• Macro photography with close focusing distance is a particular interest.
• You need a camera that runs on replaceable AA batteries for remote trips with limited charging.

Bringing It Together

To sum up, these cameras reflect two different eras and philosophies in compact photography. The Canon SX280 HS, with its 2013 release and advanced Digic 6 processor, holds up surprisingly well today for enthusiasts who want more than just a point-and-shoot. Meanwhile, the 2010 Olympus FE-47 offers basic capabilities for users satisfied with simplicity and portability, but falls short in image quality, zoom range, and features.

Here’s a final parting shot from my test gallery showcasing the kind of image quality and zoom versatility you can expect:

Canon SX280 HS front Canon SX280 HS screen back Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back

I hope this in-depth comparison helps you identify which camera best matches your photography style and needs. Owning the right tool makes all the difference in your creative journey.

If you want to discuss further or share your experiences, I’m always happy to connect with fellow enthusiasts.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I have no direct affiliation or sponsorship with Canon or Olympus. All opinions are based on personal extensive testing and experience.