Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax K-1 II

Cameras
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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax K-1 II

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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.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1 II.
Compare Pentax K-1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 II conclusion.

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Differences

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
32 mm vs 85 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
233g vs 1010g
Lighter weight
Faster JPEG shooting
14.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Canon SX280 HS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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

670 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
7 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
36.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/3200 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read K-1 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

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

Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.
Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.
Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

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

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9100

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon S9100

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon S9100

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

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15

Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic ZS15

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$273
1/2.3 inch

Internal flash
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic ZS15

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

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX260 HS

Pentax K-1 II

Canon SX260 HS

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$480
1/2.3 inch

Internal flash
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon SX260 HS

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon SX280 HS

Canon 5D Mark IV

$300
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon SX280 HS

Nikon D850

$300
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

$2597
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$2597
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?