- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
- 12 MP
- 20x f/3.5
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 3" LCD
Released February, 2012
Rated 76% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)A high speed (Class 6 or higher) card is recommended for best performance.
Conclusion Check out the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
First reviewed February, 2012
Features Key features of the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
12 MP
1/2.5"
megapixels
| 0 MP | 20 MP    | 20 MP |
PowerShot SX260 HS by L.-Benedict (Jul, 2012)The picture quality is excellent and although 12.1 megapixels isn't a whole lot, it is good because the really good sensors can get to each pixel more.
PowerShot SX260 HS by TrustedReviews (May, 2012)Effective resolution remains at 12.1MP, which strikes us as quite a sensible move given that the SX260 uses a regular 1/2.3in compact-sized sensor.
sensor size
PowerShot SX260 HS by Penny-Johnson (Sep, 2012)digital noise is apparent when using high ISO, this is probably due to the small sensor size.
PowerShot SX260 HS by Alan-Houston--alanhouston-texas (Jul, 2012)Under cloudy/hazy conditions, I use ISO 400 and I found that an 8 x 10 enlargement from the ISO 400 photos look just as sharp as an 8 x 10 enlargement from a ISO 100 photo.
wide angle lens
aperture size
PowerShot SX260 HS by N-V (Mar, 2012)Aperture value could be set anywhere between f/3.5 & f/8.0, but it also depends on the zoom position (with maximum zoom, aperture value could be set either at f/6.8 or at f/8.).
PowerShot SX260 HS by Deanna-Aguinaldo-Walcott--Baby-Dee (Jul, 2012)It takes beautiful, crisp and vibrant pictures even on the "auto" setting (meaning, even if you do not know what aperture or f-stop to use and/or are not necessarily photography savvy... I mean, it is a point and shoot camera).
zoom range
| 0x | 5x  | 20x |
PowerShot SX260 HS by Robinhelene (Apr, 2013)At first, I was impressed with the camera because of all that it had to offer: the zoom, well mostly the zoom.
body size
106 x 61 x 33 mm
112 x 76 x 48 mm
111 x 73 x 44 mm
PowerShot SX260 HS by K.-S.-Bowen--KS-Bowen (May, 2012)I have concluded that for me, a camera that takes 'very good' pictures, that is small and lightweight, is a NECESSITY.
PowerShot SX260 HS by Bill-Showalter (Feb, 2013)The camera seems very well made and finished and is quite heavy for it's size.
Performance Real world tests of Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
shutter lag
PowerShot SX260 HS by W.-Lae (Jan, 2013)The reason I bought this specific camera after hours of research was because its response time was supposedly quick.
PowerShot SX260 HS by W.-Lae (Jan, 2013)Its response time is miserable anyway-pathetic-even if you manage to get your fingers in all of the right places.
battery life
210 photos
400 photos
380 photos
PowerShot SX260 HS by SAW (Sep, 2012)After a two week vacation with it overseas as my first real use of it I have to say that I am impressed with the size/weight of the package, the quality of the pictures, the acceptable speed of operation, the battery life, the image stabilization, and the zoom.
PowerShot SX260 HS by Photography Blog (Apr, 2012)Fast 10.3fps burst shooting at full 12 megapixel resolution is another big improvement offered by the SX260 HS, although we'd have liked longer battery life when employing the GPS.
max continuous shooting
PowerShot SX260 HS by L.-Benedict (Jul, 2012)It is also good for motion, and my dad was surprised it had a burst mode, because my mama got her DSLR camera mainly because of it.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
HD video -
For that film look -
Records the location of your photos automatically -
HD video -
Create slow motion video -
Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view -
33 mm -
231 g -
106 x 61 x 33 mm -
1/3200 s
cons
-
f/3.5 -
20x -
12 MP -
3,200 ISO -
3.2 fps -
50 mm -
510 ms -
210 -
No automatic 3D -
8.23 fps -
9 -
The screen is fixed in place -
No automatic HDR -
Feb, 2012
Reviews Word on the street
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 | Rated by 267 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by RhondaH (Sep, 2012) Rated 100% by by Stevan-Varnell (Jun, 2012) Rated 80% by by Travis-Householder |
Lens
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 60% by by Bruce-A.-Moon--ESLBruceI was very happy with the NIkon S8100, but I went through two of them (scratched lens on the first; "lens error" on the second).
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Apr, 2012)The Canon Powershot SX260 HS' 20x zoom lens provides a versatile focal length of 25-500mm in 35mm terms, as demonstrated below.
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 100% by by T.-A.--TA (Jul, 2012)Not hard to figure out how to use- pictures are crystal clear (even zooming far out)- the cropping feature is easy to use and works wonderfully!
Zoom
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 100% by by Pra--PL (Jun, 2012)The wide to superzoom is really great, and combined with some really good low/natural light capabilities, this camera is lots of fun.
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 60% by by Robinhelene (Apr, 2013)With 12 MP, the overall size of the pictures were not very big and zooming in on them once in the computer, you see many artifacts.
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 100% by by Donald-Switzler--Poppie (Feb, 2013)The quick focus, 14X optical zoom, size and everything else makes this a great tool for taking pictures, even in dim light.
Video
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 60% by by Bruce-A.-Moon--ESLBruceI am hoping that Canon gives corrects the problem because as a travel camera, having this much zoom and quality of video in a pocket-size package is great.
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 100% by by E.-Town (Jan, 2013)In the meantime, it takes great photos and HD videos.
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Apr, 2012)The SX260 HS records 1920x1080p Full HD movies at 24fps with stereo sound, making it one of the few compact cameras currently on the market to offer such good quality, while the new Intelligent IS system helps to keep footage steady.
Image quality
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 100% by by GT (Oct, 2012)Start-up is awesome for those quick shots you don't have much time to prepare for, the color saturation was incredible, it even did good on quick moving shots through the RV window!
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 100% by by egillan (Apr, 2013)This is exactly what we were looking for in regards to size, price, picture quality etc..
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 100% by by RhondaH (Sep, 2012)The pics in low light conditions are very clear.
Photography
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 100% by by ritteremr (Apr, 2012)I am working on family tombstones and the clarity is excellent when I add to our family tree.
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 80% by by Barbara-S (Sep, 2012)It is perfect for everyday use or travel, being small and light and fits easily in my handbag.
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (May, 2012)In all other aspects though, the SX260 HS is a fantastic little travel compact that's well worth a closer look if you're in the market for such a camera.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 2 | Canon PowerShot G12 Has a flip out screen G12 vs SX260 HS |
 | 3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Fastest to start up Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V vs Canon PowerShot SX260 HS |
 | 4 | Panasonic Lumix TZ30 Has a touch screen Panasonic Lumix TZ30 vs Canon PowerShot SX260 HS |
 | 5 | Canon PowerShot G15 Good benchmarked shot to shot times PowerShot G15 vs PowerShot SX260 HS |
 | 6 | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 4-way tie: Shoots high speed video SX280 HS vs SX260 HS |
 | 7 | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS 4-way tie: Best macro lens SX160 IS vs SX260 HS |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
April 26, 2012
I want to be able to take beautiful photos that I can use in photobooks as large
I'm a beginner, I prefer to have a versatile camera with buttons, good optical zoom and preferably a rechargeable battery or long battery life for travelling
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Answers April 9, 2012
I'm going travelling throughout Southeast Asia in the rainy season.
I'm a novice and mostly take picture of people (both close up and crowds) and nature shots. The features that are most important to me are image quality, low light sensitivity, zoom and battery a...
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1
Answers April 25, 2012
Help please!
Tell us more! Are you a beginner or expert? What types of photos do you like to take? What features in a camera are important to you? moderate beginner... mostly people shots but would a...
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Answers Unanswered Questions
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Answers January 18, 2013
What is the best overall compact zoom camera?
I have a Nikon D3 and many Nikkor lenses. Of course the image quality is superb compared to compact point shoot digital cameras but I need a backup camera for times when I don't want to or D3...
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Answers January 6, 2013
Image quality, low light, wider angles.
Best for real estate pics. Mostly inside, try to take pics with as much natural light as possible vs flash.
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Answers Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
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Canon PowerShot SX240 HS
- 12 MP
- 20x f/3.5
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 3" LCD
1 more Sortable user recommendeds the SX240 HS over the SX260 HS.
View all discussions | View comparison 
Beginner I
0
votes These cameras are the same. The only difference is that 260 has the GPS and the 240 doesn't, making the sx240's battery life longer and the camera itself a little lighter. Do you want a GPS? what...
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- June 14, 2012
- Reply to: I want to be able to take beautiful photos that I can use in photobooks as large
