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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Pentax Optio H90 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX270 HS
Pentax H90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Canon SX280 HS versus Pentax H90, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the H90 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was brought out 3 years later than the H90 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX280 HS grades versus the H90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Pentax H90

 SX280 HS H90 
RevealedMarch 2013January 2010Fresher by 39 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Canon SX280 HS

 H90 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Pentax H90

 SX280 HS H90 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX280 HS provides external dimensions 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 Pentax H90 has measurements of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX280 HS versus Pentax H90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SX280 HS vs the H90.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and H90 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX280 HS and H90.

As you can tell, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of images however you may want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher SX280 HS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography info
Pentax H90 Portrait photography info
34
manual focus
includes face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography advice
Pentax H90 Street photography advice
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography advice
Pentax H90 Sports photography advice
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography highlights
Pentax H90 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competition in class (233g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (210 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography advice
Pentax H90 Landscape photography advice
41
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (210 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
36
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging details
Pentax H90 Vlogging details
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic support
28
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Pentax H90
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSPentax Optio H90
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Pentax Optio H90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-03-21 2010-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 lbs) 153g (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1")
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 -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L D-LI68
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
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $325 $150