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Sony A100 vs Canon SX280 HS Comparison

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Sony A100

10 MP | APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) CCD Sensor

Sony A100
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Canon SX280 HS

12 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Canon SX280 HS
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Sony A100 vs Canon SX280 HS Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two cameras with different body types: Sony A100, which was introduced in July 2006 is a Entry-Level DSLR camera with a 10.0MP APS-C sensor whereas Canon SX280 HS, which was introduced in March 2013 is a Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 12.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor. As you can see, A100 is 7 years older than SX280 HS. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Comparing a DSLR camera to a Fixed Lens camera is not an easy task but we will do our best to make this a fair comparison.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Sony A100 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2006-07-31
  • 10MP - APS-C CCD Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 2.5" Fixed Type Screen
  • Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder
  • 3 fps continuous shooting
  • No Video Mode
  • 638g. 133 x 95 x 71 mm
  • Replaced Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D Compare

Canon SX280 HS Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2013-03-21
  • 12MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 25-500 mm F3.5-6.8 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3" Fixed Type Screen
  • 4 fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 240fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • Built-in GPS
  • 233g. 106 x 63 x 33 mm
  • Replaced Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Compare

Sony A100 was replaced by Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 vs Canon PowerShot SX280 HS

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 over Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
External Flash Shoe
Yes vs No Better for flash photography
Viewfinder
Optical vs None Better framing and control
RAW Support
Yes vs No Better image quality
Max Mech. Shutter
1/4000s vs 1/3200s faster mechanical shutter
Sensor Pixel Area
37.14µm2 vs 2.34µm2 1487% larger pixel area


Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot SX280 HS over Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Wireless Connection
Built-In vs None Better connectivity
GPS
BuiltIn vs None track your location
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs No very handy for portraits
Max Sensor Resolution
12 MP vs 10 MP 19% more pixels
Max ISO
6.400 vs 1.600 300% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Size
3" vs 2.5" 0.5 inches larger display
LCD Screen Resolution
461k dots vs 230k dots 100% higher resolution screen
Continuous Shooting
4.0fps vs 3.0fps 1 fps faster
Weight
233 g vs 638 g 405 g lighter
Max Video Resolution
1920 x 1080 vs None Higher Resolution Video

Common Strengths of Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift vs Optical Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
Common Weaknesses of Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Fixed Screen
Fixed Type vs No No flexible viewing angles
LCD Screen Resolution
230k dots vs 461k dots Low resolution screens
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
AE Bracketing
No vs No Not good for multi-exposure HDR
Sony A100 vs Canon SX280 HS: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Sony A100 has external dimensions of 133 x 95 x 71 mm (5.24 x 3.74 x 2.8″) and weighs 638 g (1.41 lb / 22.50 oz) (including batteries). Canon SX280 HS has external dimensions of 106 x 63 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.48 x 1.3″) and weighs 233 g (0.51 lb / 8.22 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS. Canon SX280 HS is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 27mm narrower, 32mm shorter and 38mm thinner than Sony A100. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Canon SX280 HS has a built-in lens but Sony A100 doesn't. Once you put a lens on A100, its thickness will increase significantly.

Sony A100 vs Canon SX280 HS Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Canon SX280 HS is significantly lighter (405g ) than the Sony A100 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on A100, the total kit will weigh much higher.

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 nor Canon PowerShot SX280 HS provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top DSLR Cameras with Weather Sealing
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Canon SX280 HS's 3" LCD screen is slightly larger than Sony A100's 2.5" screen.

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.
Sony A100 vs Canon SX280 HS: Sensor Comparison

Sony A100 has a 10.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, Canon SX280 HS has a 12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Digic 6 processor.

Below you can see the A100 and SX280 HS sensor size comparison.

Sony A100 vs Canon SX280 HS Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS Cameras


As seen above, Sony A100 has a 13.3x Larger sensor area than Canon SX280 HS. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

What types of Photography are Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Sony A100 for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Canon SX280 HS for Portrait Photography

POOR
Large APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Sony A100 for Street Photography

GOOD

Canon SX280 HS for Street Photography

GOOD
Large APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
No Live-view
Large Body
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Sony A100 for Sports Photography

GOOD

Canon SX280 HS for Sports Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
Slow Continuous Shooting: 3.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Wireless Connection
500 mm Tele Lens
Average Continuous Shooting: 4.0fps
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Unknown Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 210 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.80
Read the details

Sony A100 for Daily Photography

GOOD

Canon SX280 HS for Daily Photography

GOOD
Large APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) sensor
Large Body
638g
Body Thickness 71mm
Read the details
Compact Body
233g
20.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Sony A100 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Canon SX280 HS for Landscape Photography

POOR
Large APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
No Environmental Sealings
No Live-view
Read the details
Built-in GPS
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Sony A100 vs Canon SX280 HS: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Sony A100 and Canon SX280 HS scores compare:

Sony A100
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #61 out of 79 in Compact SLR cameras
Ranked #495 out of 1226 in all Cameras
Canon SX280 HS
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #124 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #620 out of 1226 in all Cameras

Sony A100 scores higher than the Canon SX280 HS in Overall. It has better image quality and better value than Canon SX280 HS. On the other hand, Canon SX280 HS is more portable and has more features than Sony A100.
If image quality is very important for you and you want to get the most bang for your bucks, choose the Sony A100.
If you are looking for a small camera where you can take everywhere with you, and having more features are also important, Canon SX280 HS is the right choice for you.

Sony A100
Sony A100
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Canon SX280 HS
Canon SX280 HS
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Canon SX280 HS vs Sony A100 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Brand Sony Canon
Announced 2006-07-31 2013-03-21
Body Type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor
Type CCD BSI-CMOS
Size APS-C 1/2.3-inch
Dimensions 23.6 x 15.8 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area 372.88mm2 28.07mm2
Megapixels 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Max Resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max Native Light sensitivity 1,600 ISO 6,400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 100 ISO 100 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 9 n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens Focal Range no lens 25-500 mm (20×)
Max Aperture no lens F3.5-6.8
Macro Focus Range no lens 5cm
Screen
Type Fixed type Fixed type
Size 2.5" 3"
Resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder Coverage 95% n/a
Viewfinder Magnification 0.55x n/a
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/4000s 1/3200s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization Sensor-shift Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range n/a 3.50 m
Max Flash Sync 1/160s n/a
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps 4.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution None 1920 x 1080
Video Formats n/a MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity None Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 638g 233g
Dimensions 133 x 95 x 71mm 106 x 63 x 33mm
Battery Life n/a 210 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None Built-in
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score 61 not tested
DxO Color Depth 22.0 not tested
DxO Dynamic Range 11.2 not tested
DxO Low Light ISO 476 not tested
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