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Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 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
  • Introduced March 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX270 HS
Sony TX20
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Sony TX20

 SX280 HS TX20 
LaunchedMarch 2013February 2012Newer by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Canon SX280 HS

 TX20 SX280 HS 
Display resolution922k461kSharper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography advice
Sony TX20 Portrait photography advice
34
has manual focus
includes face detect focusing
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
40
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography details
Sony TX20 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (233g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Sports photography camera
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (210 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery power (250 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony TX20 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competitors (233 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery power (210 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
72
better than average battery power (250 shots)
weather proof
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX280 HS
Landscape photography with Sony TX20
41
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
52
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proof
better than average battery power (250 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX280 HS
Vlogging with Sony TX20
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (233 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone port
35
decently wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone port
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Canon SX280 HS vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Sony TX20
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSSony 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