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Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced March 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX270 HS
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched March 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-1
  • Updated by Olympus SH-3
Photography Glossary

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Canon SX280 HS and Olympus SH-2, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and SH-2 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was introduced 24 months before the SH-2 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SX280 HS matches up against the SH-2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Olympus SH-2

 SX280 HS SH-2 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Canon SX280 HS

 SH-2 SX280 HS 
LaunchedMarch 2015March 2013Newer by 24 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Olympus SH-2

 SX280 HS SH-2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX280 HS has physical measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Olympus SH-2 has sizing of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX280 HS and Olympus SH-2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX280 HS against the SH-2.

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and SH-2 is 91 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and SH-2.

Clearly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Olympus SH-2 to resolve greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged SX280 HS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography factors
Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography factors
34
you can focus manually
includes face detection focus
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
44
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography info
Olympus SH-2 Street photography info
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
lighter than competition (271 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography information
Olympus SH-2 Sports photography information
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (380 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography highlights
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competition (233 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
74
better than average battery power (380 shots)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
offers touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Landscape photography camera
41
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery life (210 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
55
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (380 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging factors
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging factors
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
35
pretty wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (271g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic jack
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Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Olympus SH-2
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSOlympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Olympus Stylus SH-2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-03-21 2015-03-11
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 TruePic VII
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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
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 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 11.5 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233g (0.51 lb) 271g (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 210 images 380 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $325 $399