It has to be a tough time to be a camera manufacturer. With the leaps and bounds in the quality of phone cameras, along with the popularity of Instagram filters and the likes, everyone is now a photographer.

Those of us who love taking pictures will always want a camera to be its own thing, but for or the average weekend snapper, the phone just might be enough. To counteract this, camera companies now have to up their game and rethink their offer. Few companies do this better than Canon, and the Powershot SX 280 HS is a camera that may have even have the most casual of photographers upping their dedication and spend.

The curved design and rounded edges initially disguise the fact that this camera is weightier than many current pocket cameras, but it packs a pretty punch for a what is still a small package (233g), not least a super-zoom with its 20x optical range. With built-in Wifi and GPS, this 12 megapixel tool allows you to upload straight to the web, which may be the swing vote in undecided phone snappers.

The three-inch screen takes over much of the back view of the camera, with all controls situated to the right of the screen. There are multiple features available that can take the Powershot from casual snapper tool to pro-quality image producer, entirely dependent on the users prowess or willingness to learn.

 

Specs Talk… Here comes the science bit 

Compact 20x optical zoom, 25mm wide-angle lens. ZoomPlus doubles zoom power

HS System: 12.1 Megapixel CMOS, DIGIC 6 for stunning results even in low light

Intelligent IS for sharp shots; Enhanced Dynamic IS powerfully compensates for movement in movies

Wi-Fi for fast sharing

Full HD (1080p) at 60fps for smoother movies in stereo with optical zoom

Large 7.5 cm (3.0”) PureColor II G LCD (460k)

GPS with A-GPS for faster location tagging

Hybrid Auto creates a movie summary; Smart Auto (58 scenes) for ultimate ease

Manual, Av and Tv modes for full creative control

High-speed shooting to capture action. Optional 40m Waterproof Case

 

 

Her thoughts: 

The Canon PowerShot SX280 HS boasts some really impressive features, not least the DIGIC 6 processor and burst mode that allows the user to record up to 14 shots per second, so you can capture any moment perfectly. The high sensitivity means stunning shots in even the dullest of lighting conditions. The video mode is also a big plus, full HD video at 60 images per second could turn anyone into a budding director. 

We took this camera on holdays for a week and put it to good use, shooting hundreds of snaps and plenty of video, and the camera was up to every challenge we put to it. It feels well-made and sturdy, but it’s lightweight enough to take on every adventure. The only minor gripe we had was that the battery life wasn’t the best, but that’s more than likely a sign we were getting plenty of use out of the Powershot. The Wifi capabilities are perfect for the Tweeting Traveller or Facebook addict, and the image quality is fantastic in even the lowest of light, something you certainly won’t be able to say about your smartphone. All in all, another quality Canon release and a camera we’d heartily recommend to a friend.