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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Announced March 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic ZR1
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Panasonic ZR1

 SX280 HS ZR1 
ReleasedMarch 2013July 2009Newer by 45 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX280 HS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
34
has manual focus
offers face detect focusing
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography information
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography information
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (233g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography features
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than competitors in class (233g)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (210 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
41
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery life (210 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging features
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging features
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (233g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
28
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZR1
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSPanasonic 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