• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Canon SX280 HS

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 500 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX280 HS

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S9100

Olympus SZ-31MR
Nikon S9100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
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

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
Canon SX280 HS
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon SX260 HS

Olympus SZ-31MR
Canon SX260 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in GPS
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

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SZ-15
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Canon SX280 HS
Olympus SZ-15
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SH-50
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Canon SX280 HS
Olympus SH-50
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
Compare Other Cameras?