• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Sony QX30

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 57 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony QX30 advantages over Canon SX280 HS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 500 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S9100

Canon SX280 HS
Nikon S9100
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony QX30
Nikon S9100
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Canon SX280 HS
Panasonic ZS15
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS15
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon SX260 HS

Canon SX280 HS
Canon SX260 HS
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Slow-motion videos
Sony QX30
Canon SX260 HS
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon S9500

Canon SX280 HS
Nikon S9500
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More dots on screen
Sony QX30
Nikon S9500
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Canon SX280 HS
Panasonic ZS40
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS40
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
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