Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


96 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 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
- Introduced March 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
- 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
- Launched February 2012

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Overview
The following is a in depth analysis of the Canon SX280 HS and Sony TX20, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and TX20 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX280 HS was unveiled 13 months after the TX20 making the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX280 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX280 HS grades vs the TX20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20. The full galleries are available at Canon SX280 HS Gallery & Sony TX20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Sony TX20
SX280 HS | TX20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2013 | ![]() | February 2012 | Newer by 13 months |
Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Canon SX280 HS
TX20 | SX280 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Sony TX20
SX280 HS | TX20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS offers outer dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony TX20 has proportions of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX280 HS and Sony TX20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the TX20.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and TX20 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching a spec sheet. The pic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX280 HS and TX20.
Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Sony TX20 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher SX280 HS will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2013-03-21 | 2012-02-28 |
Body design | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 6 | BIONZ |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.5-4.6 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | - | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 3.70 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 233 gr (0.51 pounds) | 133 gr (0.29 pounds) |
Dimensions | 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
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 photos | 250 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6L | NP-BN |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $325 | $330 |