• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX260 HS
SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 SX280 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1049.99 $329.99
Street Price: $859.40 $299.69
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
8.2 oz (233 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 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: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
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, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 14.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60/​30)
1280x720 (30)
Movie File Format:   MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 25 - 500mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 4.5 - 90mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) 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: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes 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: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800  
Minimum ISO (native): 200  
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 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: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View 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: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: 50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW  
Movie File Format:   MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC:
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: Optional Wireless or Wired  
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote 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): 0.41  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 14.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15  
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): 0.18 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary NB-6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary NB-6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Canon software suite
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked). 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.