• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G15
  • Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G12
G12 vs G15
Canon SX260 HS
SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
Successor: Canon G16
G15 vs G16
 
General
Model Number: G15 SX280 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $329.99
Street Price: $649.95 $299.69
Date Available: 2012-10-15 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 12.3 oz (350 g)
includes batteries
8.2 oz (233 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 3.0 x 1.6 in.
(107 x 76 x 40 mm)
4.2 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 63 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.90 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 46  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 19.9  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.5  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 165  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 10.2 14.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
1920x1080 (60/​30)
1280x720 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM) MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 25 - 500mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.1 - 30.5mm 4.5 - 90mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/1.8 (W) / f/2.8 (T) - f/8.0 f/3.5 (wide) / f/6.8 (tele) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 58.0mm n/a
Thread Type: Via optional lens adapter n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track) Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom; Picture coverage: approx. 80%; Eyepoint: 15mm; Dioptic Adjustment Range: -3.0 - +1.0m  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 922,000 dots (307,200 px) 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800  
Minimum ISO (native): 80  
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 80 to 12800 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 15 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene modes (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst HQ, Handheld NightScene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist), Creative Filters (High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap) Sports, SCN (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks), Creative Filters (Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Soft Focus, Super Vivid, Poster Effect)
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-15 ft./50cm-4.5m (T) Auto ISO: 50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM) MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Wired  
Connections (extended): Combined USB/AV, Mini (Type-C) HDMI, Remote Terminal Mini HDMI, Built-in Wi-Fi, Built-in GPS
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.07  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.83  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 2.91  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 10.2 14.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 10  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 1.2  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 20  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 1.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 5  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.46 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.46 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.454 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.71 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.073 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.2 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.7 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 350 shots 210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 770 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-10L Proprietary NB-6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM Canon software suite
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Fast f/1.8(W)-f/2.8(T) lens, DIGIC 5 processor, Intelligent Image Stabilization, improved AF performance, 10 fps High-Speed Burst mode, Full HD 1080p24 video, 58 scene Smart Auto, supports conversion lenses. Optical Image Stabilization, DIGIC 6, 1080p60 Full HD Movies, 14 fps HQ Burst Mode, Built-in GPS, Built-in Wi-Fi. Available in black or red.