- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Canon PowerShot S110
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS
- Canon PowerShot G12
- Canon PowerShot G15
- Panasonic Lumix ZS20
Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)Image quality is excellent, with a perfectly usable ISO range of 80-1600 and fast f/2.0 maximum aperture, albeit only at the wide-angle lens setting, making the S100 very well-suited to low-light, hand-held photography.
Rated 76% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)The SX260 can shoot Full HD video with stereo sound and use of the optical zoom and image stabilizer.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Canon Powershot S100 compared to the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
MP12
1/1.8"
Rated 79% by by c|net (Nov, 2011)Given its size (and its relatively small sensor) it delivers excellent JPEG quality up to ISO 200, and photos remain quite good up through ISO 800.
12 MP
1/2.5"
Rated 76% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)PhotoStitch can take photos that you've lined up using the Stitch Assist feature on the camera, and combine them into a single panoramic image.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 12 MP   | 20 MP |
Powershot S100 by DPReview (Dec, 2011)While the 2MP increase in sensor resolution over the S95 is modest in terms of the additional detail that the camera can capture, the 20% increase in total pixel count does help to offset the effect of noise at a given display size/magnification..
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.
sensor size
Powershot S100 by David-Pierce (Nov, 2011)The S95 had a larger-than-average sensor (though still small compared to DSLRs or Micro Four Thirds cams), and 3.8x optical zoom on a bright, f/2.0 lens that extended from 28-105mm.
PowerShot SX260 HS by Photography Blog (Apr, 2012)The shooting mode dial is also where you'll find the camera's scene modes, some of which again mirror the kind of selections you'll find on the latest consumer DSLRs and Micro Four Thirds hybrids.
wide angle lens
Powershot S100 by Thomas-G-Lavaty-Jr (Feb, 2012)With the S90 I would often have trouble getting the focus to lock when doing wide-angle landscape shots.
aperture size
Powershot S100 by DPReview (Dec, 2011)The function ring around the lens is a particularly effective control point, offering quick access to controls like shutter speed, aperture and ISO.
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).
zoom range
| 0x | 20x | 20x |
Powershot S100 by DPReview (Dec, 2011)The S100's lens covers a useful range of 24-120mm (equivalent), which is far from the most versatile of any current raw-shooting compact camera, but significantly more useful than the S95's 28-105mm (equivalent) zoom.
body size
99 x 60 x 28 mm
106 x 61 x 33 mm
Powershot S100 by Sheraz-A.-Choudhary (Nov, 2011)But none of these competitors are comfortably pocketable-this means that the s100 has practically no competition for it's size as a truely pocketable semi-pro camera.
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.
Performance Real world tests of Canon Powershot S100 vs Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
shutter lag
Powershot S100 by Daniel-Appleman (Oct, 2000)There are several things I especially like about this camera: It's fast - you can quickly browse through shots in memory, and the time between shots is very short.
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.
battery life
200 photos
210 photos
Powershot S100 by K-Gill (Nov, 2000)Quite simply, it is easy to use, and the battery life is better than most and it recharges fast.
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.
max continuous shooting
Powershot S100 by DPReview (Dec, 2011)A 4-channel readout system also improves the continuous shooting rate, up to 2.3 fps compared to the S95's maximum framerate of 1.9 fps.
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.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the PowerShot SX260 HS
| Much faster lens | f/2.0 | vs | f/3.5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| More than 40% faster aperture; Better in low light | |||
| Much higher light sensitivity | 12,800 ISO | vs | 3,200 ISO |
| 4x higher light sensitivity; Avoid blur in low light situations | |||
| Shoots RAW | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Adjust white balance and exposure more easily in post production | |||
| Significantly faster rapid fire | 10 fps | vs | 3.2 fps |
| More than 3x faster continuous shooting; Take photos in rapid succession to capture motion | |||
| Supports HDR | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Combines multiple photos together to capture both bright and dark areas | |||
| Less delay taking photos | 250 ms | vs | 510 ms |
| 2x less shutter lag; Avoid missing spontaneous moments | |||
| Slightly wider lens | 24 mm | vs | 25 mm |
| Almost the same | |||
| Better macro lens | 30 mm | vs | 50 mm |
| 40% closer macro focus; Take great close-up photos | |||
Advantages compared to the Powershot S100
| Significantly larger zoom range | 20x | vs | 5x |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x larger zoom; Great for sports or nature when your subject is further away | |||
| Automatic panorama | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view | |||
| Faster benchmarked shot to shot times | 8.23 fps | vs | 10.08 fps |
| Around 20% faster shot to shot; Take multiple consecutive photos quickly | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Feb, 2012 | vs | Sep, 2011 |
| Announced date 4 months later | |||
| More highly reviewed by consumers | 82.43% | vs | 78.26% |
| Around 10% more highly reviewed by consumers | |||
| Faster max shutter speed | 1/3200 s | vs | 1/2000 s |
| Around 40% faster max shutter speed; capture fast action | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Canon Powershot S100 | Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | ||
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 | Rated by 109 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by A.-Schek (Dec, 2000) Rated 100% by by Donna-Roach (Nov, 2000) Rated 100% by by Richard-Burge (Dec, 2000) | Rated by 267 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by RhondaH (Sep, 2012) Rated 100% by by Private (Sep, 2012) Rated 100% by by CMB (May, 2012) | |
sensor
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 83% by by David-Pierce (Nov, 2011)The S100 does a solid job of getting crisp photos without the flash in low light, and it’s clean and clear all the way up to ISO 1600 (and still usable beyond), but all the way up the S95’s photos just looked a little brighter, and a little better.
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 83% by by David-Pierce (Nov, 2011)The ability to quickly change ISO, white balance, and shutter speed settings is one of the things I personally really need in a camera, and the S100 does it as well as any small camera I’ve used.
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)Aimed at the serious photographer looking for a capable compact, the new Canon S100 features a high-sensitivity 12.1 megapixel 1/1.7-type CMOS sensor, 5x zoom lens with a focal range of 24-140mm and fast maximum aperture of f/2.0, DIGIC 5 processor, and a 3.0 inch LCD display with a resolution of 461K dots, The S100 also offers a maximum ISO of 6400 at full resolution, built-in GPS, 1080p movie recording at 24fps, full range of manual shooting modes, RAW format support and 9.6fps burst shooting.
raw
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 72% by by DPReview (Dec, 2011)The S100 is one of the few compact cameras on the market today that stays light on its feet even in RAW+JPEG mode (assuming you're not trying to shoot continuous bursts).
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 72% by by DPReview (Dec, 2011)For an enthusiast, one of the S100's most useful features is likely to be its ability to shoot raw files.
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 72% by by DPReview (Dec, 2011)In raw mode the S100 doesn't deliver much more 'true' detail, but moiré patterning is very apparent from around 2400 lp/ph..
iso
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)The Canon PowerShot S100 compact camera is a new compact camera that offers an extensive DSLR-like list of features - ISO range of 80-6400, RAW support, full manual controls, customisable interface and 1080p video - all in a slim and stylish body that you can easily fit in a trouser pocket.
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 83% by by David-Pierce (Nov, 2011)The S100 actually does a better job delivering noise-free photos at high ISOs, but the S95 handles colors better, and unless you're blowing up your photos to huge resolutions I think color performance is more important.
Canon Powershot S100 | Rated 72% by by DPReview (Dec, 2011)A cause of genuine frustration though is that even though Canon has extended the range of ISO settings on the S100 up to 6400, when auto ISO is used, the ISO sensitivity span is capped at a maximum of ISO 1600.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Canon PowerShot S110 Fastest to start up |
 | 3 | Canon PowerShot G12 Largest sensor |
 | 4 | Canon PowerShot G15 Highest resolution screen |
 | 5 | Panasonic Lumix ZS20 2-way tie: Most detailed video recording mode |
 | 7 | Nikon Coolpix P310 Many more contrast-detection focus points |
Popular Questions
April 5, 2012
All around camera - birthday parties to vacations at the English Olympics
I sold on the S100, but concerned about only having a 5X zoom. If it has a 20X like the SX260 HS, I would have bought it. I keep leaning to the SX260 for the zoom, but am I losing the solid of...
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May 23, 2012
Reliability. Travel and family photos.
Used to take a lot of pictures with Nikon F2. Now more interested in highest possible quality photos from legitimately pocket sized camera while traveling . Long zoom is appealing. Of course for...
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Answers May 15, 2012
Taking pictures of 1 year old running and playing, indoors and out.
Not an expert. Don't want to learn manual controls. Want to point and shoot quick, refresh quick for next shot. Burst mode is important.
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Answers May 11, 2012
Landscapes and nightscapes not interested in video shots.
Sort of beginner had 35mm took great shots in Italy, want to take advantage of current canon savings
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Answers Canon Powershot S100
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
WaterlooAlex 
Intermediate III
For birthday parties and vacations I'd recommend the Canon SX260 HS, the 20x zoom will be a huge benefit. The S100 is an awesome camera, but it really sacrifices the zoom. It does have a it ... View WaterlooAlex's recommendation
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- April 13, 2012
- Reply to: All around camera - birthday parties to vacations at the English Olympics
