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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX270 HS
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched January 2010
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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Canon SX280 HS and Pentax E90, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the E90 (10MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX280 HS was released 3 years after the E90 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SX280 HS matches up versus the E90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Pentax E90

 SX280 HS E90 
LaunchedMarch 2013January 2010More modern by 39 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Canon SX280 HS

 E90 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Pentax E90

 SX280 HS E90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS enjoys external dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Pentax E90 has proportions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX280 HS and Pentax E90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SX280 HS versus the E90.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and E90 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through specs. The image here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX280 HS and E90.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX280 HS to show greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent SX280 HS should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography advice
Pentax E90 Portrait photography advice
34
you can focus manually
includes face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography details
Pentax E90 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (233 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography highlights
Pentax E90 Sports photography highlights
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX280 HS
Travel photography with Pentax E90
61
lighter than competitors (233 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery (210 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
50
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX280 HS
Landscape photography with Pentax E90
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery (210 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E90 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (233g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Pentax E90
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSPentax Optio E90
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Pentax Optio E90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-03-21 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 Prime
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 3
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 6cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233g (0.51 lbs) 145g (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $325 $100