• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Sony RX100 IV

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    500 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Canon SX280 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch 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
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 280 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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 JPEG shooting
    16.0 fps vs 14.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX280 HS
Canon SX280

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 IV
All RX100 IV Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.

  • Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.

  • Read our Sony RX100 IV 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

Sony RX100 IV
Nikon S9100
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 IV 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

Sony RX100 IV
Panasonic ZS15
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 IV 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

Sony RX100 IV
Canon SX260 HS
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Canon SX260 HS

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Canon SX280 HS
Sony RX100 III
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Canon SX280 HS
Sony RX100 V
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 V
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 V

Compare Other Cameras?