Panasonic GF5 vs Canon SX280 HS

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Panasonic GF5 vs Canon SX280 HS

4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 160 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GF5.

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

Go in depth with our full Canon SX280 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX280 HS.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GF6
Compare GF5 vs GF6
Compare Panasonic GF6 vs Canon SX280 HS

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Canon SX280 HS

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.33 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

330 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
More dots on screen
922k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Longer exposure
60 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Panasonic GF5

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Faster JPEG shooting
14.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read GF5 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Kit with 14-42mm Lens
Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX280 HS

Canon SX280

All SX280 HS Deals

Review Excerpt

Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.
LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.
Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX280 HS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Canon SX280 HS First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S9100

Panasonic GF5

Nikon S9100

$430
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs 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

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9100

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3

$430
4/3

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Canon SX280 HS

Olympus E-PL3

$300
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PM1

$430
4/3

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$500
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Canon SX280 HS

Olympus E-PM1

$300
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$500
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3X

$430
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

$750
4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic GF3X

$300
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Canon SX260 HS

Panasonic GF5

Canon SX260 HS

$430
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$480
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs 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

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX260 HS

Compare Other Cameras?