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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 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
  • Released March 2013
  • Old Model is Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and XS1 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX280 HS was introduced 3 months after the XS1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the SX280 HS scores vs the XS1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Panasonic XS1

 SX280 HS XS1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Canon SX280 HS

 XS1 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic XS1

 SX280 HS XS1 
RevealedMarch 2013January 2013Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX280 HS has outer measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic XS1 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") along with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

See the Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the XS1.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and XS1 is 91 and 97 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specs. The pic here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and XS1.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic XS1 to result in extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX280 HS
Portrait photography with Panasonic XS1
34
has manual focus
comes with face detection focusing
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
30
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography highlights
Panasonic XS1 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography info
Panasonic XS1 Sports photography info
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (210 per charge)
no phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX280 HS
Travel photography with Panasonic XS1
61
lighter than competition (233g)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (210 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than average (103 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography details
Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography details
41
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
39
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging information
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging information
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing external mic socket
31
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic XS1
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-03-21 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
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 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233g (0.51 lb) 103g (0.23 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 shots 260 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $325 $130