Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38
![Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-PowerShot-SX280-HS/Canon-SX280-HS-front.jpg)
![Pentax Optio VS20 front Pentax Optio VS20 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-Optio-VS20/Pentax-VS20-front.jpg)
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 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
- Succeeded the Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
- 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
- Announced January 2012
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon SX280 HS and Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The SX280 HS was unveiled 15 months later than the VS20 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX280 HS matches up vs the VS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS and Pentax Optio VS20. The full galleries are available at Canon SX280 HS Gallery and Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Pentax VS20
SX280 HS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | More recent by 15 months |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX280 HS
VS20 | SX280 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Pentax VS20
SX280 HS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX280 HS provides outside 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 Pentax VS20 has sizing of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX280 HS and Pentax VS20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SX280 HS and the VS20.
![Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX280-HS-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and VS20 is 91 and 90 respectively.
![Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX280-HS-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by viewing specs. The visual underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and VS20.
All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax VS20 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The more recent SX280 HS should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
![Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX280-HS-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX280-HS-vs-Pentax-Optio-VS20-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Pentax Optio VS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Pentax Optio VS20 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-03-21 | 2012-01-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 3 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.1-4.8 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 461k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/2500 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 2.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 233g (0.51 lb) | 235g (0.52 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photographs | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6L | D-LI122 |
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 | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $325 | $106 |