• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
  • Canon PowerShot SX720 HS
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon SX260 HS
SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
Canon SX710 HS
SX710 HS vs SX720 HS
Successor:   Canon SX730 HS
SX720 HS vs SX730 HS
General
Model Number: SX280 HS SX720 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $329.99 $379.99
Street Price: $299.69 $279.00
Date Available: 2013-04-15 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 8.2 oz (233 g)
includes batteries
9.5 oz (270 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 63 x 33 mm)
4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 in.
(110 x 64 x 36 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 20.3
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.19 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   None
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 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)
5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3),
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
5184 x 2912 (15.1 MP, 16:9),
3888 x 3888 (15.1 MP, 1:1),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 2736 (7.5 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1368 (2.8 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 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),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 14.0 5.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60/​30)
1280x720 (30)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo)) MP4 (Image data: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio data: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
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): 25 - 500mm 24 - 960mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.5 - 90mm 4.3 - 172mm
Zoom Ratio: 20.00x 40.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 (wide) / f/6.8 (tele) - f/8.0 f/3.3 (W) / f/6.9 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No 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: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a 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 with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
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):   3200
Minimum ISO (native):   80
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 Auto, ISO 80-3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot (Center)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: 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) Live View Control, Creative Shot, Sports, Portrait, Smile, Wink Self-Timer, Face Self-Timer, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Fireworks, Standard (Movie), Short Clip, iFrame Movie
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T) Auto ISO: 1.6 - 13 ft. (W), 1.6 - 6.6 ft. (T) / (50cm - 4.0m (W), 50cm - 2.0m (T))
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo)) MP4 (Image data: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio data: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: Yes No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI, Built-in Wi-Fi, Built-in GPS Micro-B USB, Micro (Type-D) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 14.0 5.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):    
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots 250 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:   50 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6 Proprietary NB-13L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-13L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Canon software suite  
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 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.