• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
  • Nikon D500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon SX260 HS
SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
Nikon D300S
D300S vs D500
Successor:    
General
Model Number: SX280 HS D500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $329.99 $1999.95
Street Price: $299.69 $1,598.45
Date Available: 2013-04-15 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 8.2 oz (233 g)
includes batteries
30.2 oz (856 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 63 x 33 mm)
5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in.
(147 x 115 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 20.9
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 4.22 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   None
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   83
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   1,324
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)
5568 x 3712 (20.7 MP, 3:2),
4176 x 2784 (11.6 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1856 (5.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
3200 x 2136 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1424 (3.0 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 14.0 10.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60/​30)
1280x720 (30)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
Movie File Format: MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo)) MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
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 Nikon F
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 25 - 500mm  
Focal Length (actual): 4.5 - 90mm  
Zoom Ratio: 20.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 (wide) / f/6.8 (tele) - f/8.0  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center) OVF: Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection fine-tuning, and 153 focus points (including 99 cross-type sensors and 15 sensors that support f/8), of which 55 (35 cross-type sensors and 9 f/8 sensors) are available for selection; ; Contrast-detect AF in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x magnification (~0.67x 35mm eq.), 16mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.67x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   1.00x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 2,359,000 dots (589,750 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   51200
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 Auto, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to Lo-1 ISO 50 to Hi-5 ISO 1,638,400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom Auto (3 types), Cloudy, Shade, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent (7 types), Incandescent, Kelvin Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K), Preset manual (up to 6); Fine tuning available.
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with approximately 180K (180,000) pixels; Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G, E, and D lenses), color matrix metering III (other CPU lenses); Center-weighted (weight of approximately 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 6, 10, or 13mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 8-mm circle); Spot: meters circle with diameter of about 3.5mm (about 2.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used); Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D lenses
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) N/A
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T) n/a
Max Flash Sync:   1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:   -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot Shoe, PC-sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC XQD / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:   Dual slots, XQD+SD
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Movie File Format: MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo)) MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: Yes No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional: wired or wireless
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI, Built-in Wi-Fi, Built-in GPS Type-C Mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, 10-pin Remote Terminal, PC Sync
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   <0.3
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):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 14.0 10.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   200
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   200
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   27
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.17 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.103 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.049 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.049 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:   0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 210 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   1240 shots
Battery Life, Video:   50 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6 Proprietary EN-EL15, optional MB-D17 battery grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 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: Canon software suite ViewNX-i, ViewNX-Movie Editor, Capture NX-D, Nikon Transfer 2, Picture Control Utility 2 downloads
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.9.5-10.11.5
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.