Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs
(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
- Announced March 2013
- Earlier Model is Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
- Released July 2009
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX280 HS was announced 3 years after the ZR1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX280 HS scores vs the ZR1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX280 HS Gallery & Panasonic ZR1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Panasonic ZR1
SX280 HS | ZR1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2013 | ![]() | July 2009 | Newer by 45 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Canon SX280 HS
ZR1 | SX280 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZR1
SX280 HS | ZR1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX280 HS offers external measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR1 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check the Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SX280 HS vs the ZR1.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX280 HS and ZR1 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The image underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX280 HS and ZR1.
All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you should really consider the age of the cameras into account. The more modern SX280 HS will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-ZX1 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2013-03-21 | 2009-07-27 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 6 | Venus Engine V |
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 | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 25-200mm (8.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 5.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 233 gr (0.51 pounds) | 158 gr (0.35 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
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 | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $325 | $280 |