• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Olympus TG-860

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    500 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus TG-860 advantages over Canon SX280 HS

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $330 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 25 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX280 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-860

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to 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
Olympus TG-860
Nikon S9100
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Canon SX280 HS
Panasonic ZS15
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus TG-860
Panasonic ZS15
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to 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
Olympus TG-860
Canon SX260 HS
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Canon SX280 HS
Olympus TG-850
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-850
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Canon SX280 HS
Olympus TG-870
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus TG-860
Olympus TG-870
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
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