Canon SX280 HS vs Samsung NX500: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing between cameras from different segments can be tricky, especially when they come from distinct categories and eras like the Canon PowerShot SX280 HS and Samsung NX500. These two models, while both catering to photography enthusiasts, serve quite different purposes and offer varied sets of features. Having spent substantial hands-on time with both cameras across multiple shooting disciplines, I’m here to break down their strengths, weaknesses, and practical applications to help you make an informed decision.

From compact superzoom convenience to mirrorless APS-C performance, this deep dive covers everything photographers need to know - from sensor performance, autofocus, and ergonomics to video, connectivity, and real-world usage.

Designs and Ergonomics: Superzoom Compact vs. Mirrorless Elegance

Starting with the physical form factor helps place each camera in context. The Canon SX280 HS belongs to the “Small Sensor Superzoom” compact category, while the NX500 is an entry-level mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor - fundamentally different beasts.

At 106x63x33 mm and just 233 g, the SX280 HS impresses with its pocketability and lightweight feel. It’s ideal for travel or casual shooting when bulk and weight need to be minimized. In contrast, the Samsung NX500 measures 120x64x43 mm and weighs around 287 g, reflecting its mirrorless design that accommodates interchangeable lenses. The slightly heftier body gives it a more robust feel in hand, promoting stability for precise compositional control.

Looking at their control layouts and top designs reveals further differences:

The Canon SX280 HS’s minimal control scheme is typical of a compact camera. It offers basic manual modes - aperture priority with f/3.5-f/6.8 at the zoom range - and a DIGIC 6 processor powering its operation. There’s no electronic viewfinder nor articulated screen, limiting compositional flexibility especially in bright outdoor conditions.

Conversely, the NX500’s rangefinder-style body prioritizes user control with a larger tilting touchscreen and faster access to exposure adjustments, including shutter priority and manual modes. While it lacks an EVF, the large, high-resolution screen (3” at 1036k dots) compensates well for most framing needs.

From an ergonomics standpoint, the mirrorless NX500 strikes a balance of compactness and control for enthusiast users, whereas the SX280 HS is all about grab-and-go simplicity and extreme zoom flexibility but with fewer handling perks.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: APS-C Power vs. 1/2.3” Convenience

In image quality, sensor size and resolution matter greatly. The SX280 HS sports a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm and packing 12MP resolution. This sensor size is common among compact point-and-shoots, giving moderate detail but limited dynamic range and low-light capability.

The NX500, on the other hand, houses a significantly larger APS-C-sized sensor (23.5x15.7 mm) with 28MP resolution, no anti-aliasing filter, and BSI-CMOS technology. The endpoint: a sensor area roughly 13x larger than Canon’s compact sensor, which translates directly into superior image quality.

Hands-on tests over a variety of lighting conditions reveal the NX500’s sensor depth and resolution excel at producing crisp detail with rich tones and shadow recovery. Its DxO Mark scores back this up with an overall score of 87, 24.8 bits color depth, and 13.9 stops dynamic range. Low-light ISO sensitivity peaks at a usable 1379 ISO equivalent.

The SX280 HS, while not tested on DxOMark, can’t realistically compete in image fidelity. It tops out at ISO 6400 but sacrifices noise and detail beyond ISO 800. The tiny sensor also limits dynamic range, visible in blown highlights and compressed shadows during high-contrast scenes.

For portraits, the NX500’s sensor advantage is palpable: skin tones render naturally and smoothly, with fine gradation. The Canon's sensor, due to smaller pixels and compression, sometimes yields flatter skin renderings under challenging lighting.

Autofocus Performance: Precision and Speed in Different Realms

Autofocus is key to performance, especially in genres like wildlife and sports. Here, the cameras’ technologies diverge sharply.

The Canon SX280 HS relies exclusively on contrast-detection autofocus, supplemented by face detection but no phase detection. It offers AF single, continuous, and tracking modes, with 4fps burst shooting speed. While sufficient for casual use and static subjects, it’s often slow to lock focus in low light or rapidly moving scenes.

In contrast, the Samsung NX500 incorporates a hybrid autofocus system that combines contrast detection with on-chip phase detection and 209 focus points spread across the frame. This system excels at fast, accurate focusing and reliable subject tracking. Burst speed clocks in at a meaningful 9fps, nearly doubling the Canon’s rate.

Hands-on experience confirms the NX500 locks focus swiftly - even in complex or low-contrast situations - and tracks moving subjects with notable consistency, which opens doors for wildlife and sports shooting that the SX280 simply can’t support well.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Fixed Superzoom vs. Interchangeable Lenses

Lens offerings heavily influence practical shooting capability. The SX280 HS’s fixed 25-500mm equivalent f/3.5–f/6.8 lens delivers a massive 20x zoom range in one compact package - ideal for travelers who want versatile reach without switching optics. It has a respectable 5cm macro focusing range too, letting enthusiasts capture close-ups without accessories.

However, this optical convenience comes at image quality tradeoffs - variable aperture, limited sharpness at telephoto extremes, and no option to upgrade or tailor lenses.

The NX500’s Samsung NX mount opens the door to 32 native lenses, ranging from fast primes and wide-angle riches to versatile zooms. This flexibility enables users to optimize for genres from landscapes to macro, portraiture, and wildlife, adapting the camera to evolving photographic needs.

For example, pairing the APS-C sensor with a sharp 30mm f/2.0 prime yields stunning portraits with soft bokeh and razor-sharp eyes - something unattainable on the SX280 HS. Telephoto reach can be extended with respective zoom lenses, balanced against additional bulk and care.

Image Stabilization and Low Light Handling: Holding Steady and Capturing Night

The SX280 HS offers optical image stabilization integrated into the lens assembly - vital given its long zoom range to reduce camera shake. This stabilizer is effective and helps maintain acceptably sharp images at slower shutter speeds, crucial when handheld without a tripod.

Conversely, the NX500 lacks in-body stabilization, relying on optical stabilization in select lenses. For mirrorless shooters dealing with longer focal lengths or low-light, this can be a downside, though using fast primes or adopting a tripod offsets this limitation.

Low light performance is a strong suit for the NX500; the larger sensor, greater native ISO range (up to 25600), and superior noise handling allow shooting in dim environments with less image degradation. The SX280 HS can manage ISO 6400 but with significantly more noise and loss of detail.

For night or astrophotography, the NX500’s sensor, manual exposure modes, and tilting touchscreen - great for unusual framing angles including skyward shots - makes it the clear choice. The SX280’s slower shutter speeds (max 1/3200s) and limited manual control hold it back from serious night applications.

Video Capabilities: Full HD Convenience vs. 4K Potential

Video is another arena where their generational gap shows.

The Canon SX280 HS records up to 1080p at 60fps using MPEG-4 and H.264 compression. It supports smooth video capture with optical image stabilization, providing handheld shooting comfort. However, external mic input is missing, limiting audio upgrading options.

Samsung steps up with the NX500, delivering UHD 4K video recording at 30p and true DCI 4K at 24p - a feature rare in its class and launch period. It uses H.265 codec for efficient compression. The mirrorless body’s tilting touchscreen helps with composition during video shoots, though it also lacks microphone or headphone jacks, which would’ve benefited pros.

Neither camera includes in-body image stabilization for video, so lens stabilization or gimbals are necessary for ultra-smooth footage.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life: Wireless Features and Workflow

Both cameras offer built-in wireless connectivity, but differ in standards.

The Canon provides built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, useful for geo-tagging travel shots and quick image transfer without cables. The SX280’s USB 2.0 port is standard but a bit dated. Battery life is rated at 210 shots per charge, meaning you’ll want spares for longer outings.

Samsung’s NX500 features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, allowing flexible and fast pairing with smartphones for transfers and remote shooting. It lacks GPS, though. Its battery endurance is more generous, rated at 370 shots, thanks to the BP1130 battery.

Both use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot, which is standard, but professionals should always consider secondary card slots for redundancy (absent here).

Real-World Photography Across Genres: Where Each Camera Shines

To decide which suits you best, let’s look at how these cameras perform across genres, based on my hands-on testing and wider industry experience.

Canon SX280 HS front Canon SX280 HS screen back Samsung NX500 front Samsung NX500 screen back

Portrait Photography

• NX500 dominates here due to a large APS-C sensor and sharp primes, offering excellent skin tone rendition and shallow depth of field with creamy bokeh.
• SX280 HS can manage casual portraits but struggles with background separation and subtle tones, due to sensor and lens constraints.

Landscape Photography

• NX500’s wide dynamic range and high resolution bring out dramatic skies and detailed textures; weather sealing is absent, so caution is advised in harsh conditions.
• SX280 HS is usable for snapshots but dynamic range and resolution limit large prints or critical editing.

Wildlife and Sports

• NX500’s fast hybrid AF (9fps burst) and telephoto lens options support action photography better.
• SX280 HS’s slow contrast-detection AF and modest burst make it suitable mostly for static or slow subjects.

Street Photography

• SX280 HS’s compact size offers discreet shooting and portability.
• NX500 is more conspicuous but offers faster response and better image quality; however, the absence of an EVF or silent shutter is a drawback.

Macro Photography

• SX280 HS gets close at 5cm macro but detail is limited by sensor.
• NX500, paired with dedicated macro lenses, yields sharper fine detail and greater focusing precision.

Night and Astro

• NX500 excels with low noise, manual exposure, and sensor size.
• SX280 HS is limited to higher noise and less flexible shutter controls.

Video Usage

• NX500’s 4K recording and H.265 compression edge out the Canon’s Full HD.
• Neither supports audio inputs, limiting sound quality upgrades.

Travel and Everyday Shooting

• SX280 HS wins for size, zoom range, and GPS tagging.
• NX500 excels when quality and lens versatility matter more than compactness.

Professional Work

• Neither camera offers weather sealing or dual card slots; the NX500’s RAW support and superior sensor make it more capable for professional workflows, but it's best suited as a secondary or enthusiast camera.

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre Scores

Based on comprehensive lab testing and real world use, here’s how the two stack up:

• The Samsung NX500 clearly outperforms the Canon SX280 HS in sensor-based metrics, autofocus, and video capabilities.
• The Canon shines in compact convenience and zoom reach, areas where mirrorless systems require investment in multiple, bulkier lenses.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

At launch pricing, the SX280 HS was around $325 - budget-friendly for superzoom compacts. The NX500 came in near $800 - a substantial jump - reflecting its advanced sensor, interchangeable lens system, and richer features.

If pure image quality, creative control, and future upgradability matter, the NX500 justifies its price with the performance and versatility it offers. However, for users valuing convenience, simplicity, and travel-friendly design, the SX280 HS holds strong appeal.

Final Thoughts: Matching Camera to User Needs and Budget

This comparison isn’t about declaring an absolute winner but about guiding you toward the camera suited to your photographic priorities.

• Choose the Canon SX280 HS if:

  • You want an affordable, lightweight camera with extensive zoom.
  • Your shooting is casual, travel-focused, or snapshot-based.
  • Sensor size and expandability are lesser concerns.

• Choose the Samsung NX500 if:

  • You prioritize image quality, sharpness, and low light performance.
  • Interchangeable lenses, faster AF, and 4K video matter.
  • You’re an enthusiast or professional who prefers manual control and creative flexibility.

Both cameras reflect their design philosophies boldly - the Canon SX280 HS is a compact zoom all-rounder, while the Samsung NX500 is a capable, feature-rich APS-C mirrorless system.

Making your choice should weigh how each camera feels in your hands, matches your shooting style, and fits your workflow - not just specs on paper. From my extensive hours of testing these cameras side-by-side, I can say the NX500 remains compelling for photographers wanting to push boundaries, while the SX280 HS is a trustworthy travel companion for simple, dependable capture.

No matter which you pick, armed with this knowledge you’re set up for smarter photography.

Happy shooting!