Verdict

Pros

• Good compact design
• Impressive image quality
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• High speed shooting mode

Cons

• High speed mode is in reduced MP
• Poor battery life
• Pop-up flash position

What is the Canon PowerShot SX280HS?

It’s not difficult to see why travel zoom range compacts have proved so popular over recent times. The combination of a large zoom, manual controls, a good level of image quality and other advanced features, all in a pocketable body, make this type of compact the perfect travel companion.

Canon’s SX series has excelled in this category for some time, producing compacts that combine all of the above elements at a competitive price. The SX280HS goes one-step further than previous models in the series, adding Wi-Fi connectivity to the list of features that already includes an impressive 20x optical zoom and Full HD video recording.

Canon PowerShot SX280HS – Features

The Canon SX280HS features a 12.1MP backlit CMOS sensor that measures in at 1/2.3in – a size in keeping with most standard compact cameras. The sensor is combined with Canon latest imaging processor – the DIGIC 6.

The DIGIC 6 processor offers some impressive image processing claims, with a headline continuous shooting speed of 14fps, as well as full HD video capture of up to 60fps. This sensor also has an ISO range of 80 – 6400, with the combination of the sensor’s backlit technology and DIGIC 6 processor combining to promise good noise control at higher ISO settings.

The other core element of the camera’s imaging specification is the SX280HS’s lens. The compact features a 20x optical zoom with an equivalent focal range of 25-500mm. The lens is supported by optical image stabilisation, promising sharp images across the focal range.

There’s a large 3-inch LCD screen complete with Canon’s PureColor II technology at the rear. Unfortunately the resolution isn’t the highest at 461k-dots, and it’s not touch sensitive either..

As well as full manual shooting controls for those happy to take care of their shooting settings, the SX280HS features a host of Smart Auto controls that will manage those shooting settings for you.

As mentioned, the SX280HS is capable of capturing movies at Full HD resolution of 1080p and right up to a frame rate of 60fps, although it also offers a 30fps frame rate.

One of the real headline additions on the SX280HS, and one which is new to the SX series on the whole, is Wi-Fi connectivity. This Wi-Fi connectivity allows for simple image transfer between the camera and other Wi-Fi enabled devices through an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network.

The Wi-Fi control also allows for browsing of images on the camera through the Canon Camera Window app which is available for either iOS or Android devices.

Accompanying the Wi-Fi connectivity is the addition of GPS technology. This allows for images to be tagged with location data and then placed on a map, which can then be reviewed using specialist software.