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Still loving it 5 years later

Started Jan 17, 2019 | User reviews
Steve_PandS New Member • Posts: 3
Still loving it 5 years later
1

Excellent pictures.

GPS, WiFi image transfer, 20X zoom, lots of manual options and exposure modes, decent low light, HD 1080p @ 30 or 60 fps, pocket size, what's not to like?

Oh yeah, the battery life thing.   Only applies to movies, not stills.  That's a pain in the neck but once you get used to it (don't zoom in and out so much during one shot, turn the camera off and on between movie shots) it's not so bad, I find that shorter sequences are generally appreciated, if you know what I mean.     Newer battery 1060mAh is much improved over the original 1000mAh, if you are still using this camera and struggling it's probably time for a new battery anyway and you will have 2 then so get the upgraded firmware and the 1060mAh battery if you can find one.

This camera has been my go to for years and people still remark on the picture quality.

At its introduction it was a solid leap forward.  No reason to replace it as the newer cameras (SX700's) don't take better pictures although they do have a few nice features.

The Canon Camera App (Canon Connect) sucks, but I don't blame the camera and no matter what camera you buy from Canon you will be stuck with the same kludgy app.

When I see all the GoPro's around I wonder why Canon didn't stick the guts of the SX280 in to a slightly different shape and kick butt...with a zoom!   I've done side by side without the zoom....in auto mode this is the equal of an expensive action cam....add the zoom and adjust some settings to suit the lighting and it's game over GoPro.

Last camera in the series to include GPS, last camera in the series to include underwater colour compensation.  I use mine underwater all the time, did I mention the ZOOM, take that SportsCam.  I bought a DigiPac bag for the underwater use and it works great although pressing the camera buttons is a hassle and takes some learning.

 Steve_PandS's gear list:Steve_PandS's gear list
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
12 megapixels • 3 screen • 25 – 500 mm (20×)
Announced: Mar 21, 2013
Steve_PandS's score
4.0
Average community score
3.1
bad for good for
Kids / pets
excellent
Action / sports
great
Landscapes / scenery
good
Portraits
good
Low light (without flash)
good
Flash photography (social)
great
Studio / still life
unrated
= community average
jshen808
jshen808 Forum Pro • Posts: 16,067
Re: Still loving it 5 years later

..Thanks for sharing this review!

..Cheers..

 jshen808's gear list:jshen808's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82
Patricia H Cate Contributing Member • Posts: 927
Re: Still loving it 5 years later

I also love it.  I don't do videos so that is not a problem.  I always have it with me in my purse, b/c you never know what will appear.  Good to read that someone else likes it.

Mr Aitch
Mr Aitch Junior Member • Posts: 47
Re: Still loving it 5 years later

Steve_PandS wrote:

Excellent pictures.

GPS, WiFi image transfer, 20X zoom, lots of manual options and exposure modes, decent low light, HD 1080p @ 30 or 60 fps, pocket size, what's not to like?

Oh yeah, the battery life thing. Only applies to movies, not stills. That's a pain in the neck but once you get used to it (don't zoom in and out so much during one shot, turn the camera off and on between movie shots) it's not so bad, I find that shorter sequences are generally appreciated, if you know what I mean. Newer battery 1060mAh is much improved over the original 1000mAh, if you are still using this camera and struggling it's probably time for a new battery anyway and you will have 2 then so get the upgraded firmware and the 1060mAh battery if you can find one.

This camera has been my go to for years and people still remark on the picture quality.

At its introduction it was a solid leap forward. No reason to replace it as the newer cameras (SX700's) don't take better pictures although they do have a few nice features.

The Canon Camera App (Canon Connect) sucks, but I don't blame the camera and no matter what camera you buy from Canon you will be stuck with the same kludgy app.

When I see all the GoPro's around I wonder why Canon didn't stick the guts of the SX280 in to a slightly different shape and kick butt...with a zoom! I've done side by side without the zoom....in auto mode this is the equal of an expensive action cam....add the zoom and adjust some settings to suit the lighting and it's game over GoPro.

Last camera in the series to include GPS, last camera in the series to include underwater colour compensation. I use mine underwater all the time, did I mention the ZOOM, take that SportsCam. I bought a DigiPac bag for the underwater use and it works great although pressing the camera buttons is a hassle and takes some learning.

Currently I have the SX260 and I am considering buying a used SX280. I see you say that the "battery problem" only refers to movies. In that case it won.t affect me because I take very few movies. But it has a newer processor than the SX260 (DIGIC 5 vs DIGIC 6). Would you recommend an upgrade?

SX260 Slightly edited in FastStone

SX260 Slightly edited in FastStone

 Mr Aitch's gear list:Mr Aitch's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Canon PowerShot A1200 Nikon Coolpix P7100 +8 more
Keelie
Keelie Regular Member • Posts: 451
Re: Still loving it 5 years later

I loved mine too, but replaced it in August with the sx730 and have not reached for it once since. The 730 is a bit bulkier but the pictures are nicer and the zoom, wow, cant get over how great it is to have double the zoom of the 280. Also macro, I can get a much better macro shot.

I never did much with video, but now that I can, I actually have done a lot of really great video, and the battery goes long without a charge.

I'm not ready to let the 280 go, and probably never will, I'm sure there will be a time I want something a little lighter to carry in a pocket. The low light ability is amazing and a flash is rarely needed.

 Keelie's gear list:Keelie's gear list
Canon PowerShot A70 Canon PowerShot A650 IS Canon ELPH 100 HS Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Canon PowerShot SX730 HS
OP Steve_PandS New Member • Posts: 3
Re: Still loving it 5 years later

HDBCT wrote:

Currently I have the SX260 and I am considering buying a used SX280. I see you say that the "battery problem" only refers to movies. In that case it won.t affect me because I take very few movies. But it has a newer processor than the SX260 (DIGIC 5 vs DIGIC 6). Would you recommend an upgrade?

SX260 Slightly edited in FastStone

SX260 Slightly edited in FastStone

Supposedly improved low light performance, and processed faster than Digic 5, so that you could shoot the next image sooner or more fps as it were.

I *think* that most of the change from Digic 5 to 6 was about video as Canon needed to get to 60fps at 1080p due to competition so the 'faster' part was necessary.

Not sure you will actually see the difference but if the cost is low enough, might be worth a try.   If you don't need the GPS or WiFi then SX270 is the same camera.  Post here and let us know if you go ahead.

 Steve_PandS's gear list:Steve_PandS's gear list
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Mr Aitch
Mr Aitch Junior Member • Posts: 47
Re: Still loving it 5 years later
1

Steve_PandS wrote:

HDBCT wrote:

Currently I have the SX260 and I am considering buying a used SX280. I see you say that the "battery problem" only refers to movies. In that case it won.t affect me because I take very few movies. But it has a newer processor than the SX260 (DIGIC 5 vs DIGIC 6). Would you recommend an upgrade?

SX260 Slightly edited in FastStone

SX260 Slightly edited in FastStone

Supposedly improved low light performance, and processed faster than Digic 5, so that you could shoot the next image sooner or more fps as it were.

I *think* that most of the change from Digic 5 to 6 was about video as Canon needed to get to 60fps at 1080p due to competition so the 'faster' part was necessary.

Not sure you will actually see the difference but if the cost is low enough, might be worth a try. If you don't need the GPS or WiFi then SX270 is the same camera. Post here and let us know if you go ahead.

I think I got confused between the numbers. In stead of the SX270 I went and bought a SX720! I only noticed it now when I was reading your post again. Anyway I thought I would let you know.  Included is one of my trial and errors.  This time it is SOOC.  Maybe I can improve it with some post processing. I will see how it goes.

Sunrise over Simonsberg

 Mr Aitch's gear list:Mr Aitch's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Canon PowerShot A1200 Nikon Coolpix P7100 +8 more
David Tallboys Regular Member • Posts: 473
Re: Still loving it 5 years later
1

Still use mine

 David Tallboys's gear list:David Tallboys's gear list
Fujifilm X100S Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Canon PowerShot S120
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