Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1 MP CMOS

Resolution: 12.1 MP
LCD Size: 3"
Shutter: 15 ~ 1/3200 sec.
Price: $289 - $299/£244 - £289

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Review

Canon's PowerShot SX260 HS is definitely one of the strongest contenders yet in the sub-compact ultra-zoom class. Released in spring 2012 it's built on the formidable SX230 HS yet with a lot more power and quite a few new features. At the center of the new camera is the powerful 20x zoom lens which really pushes the boundaries of the sub-compact class. As always, Canon offers very good picture quality that rivals some of its competitors in higher classes.

Also new for the PowerShot SX260 are some redesigned controls and menu options. This may be the one area of disappointment. Why? Because Canon has always been able to produce controls and menus that are intuitive and very natural. That's one of the things that make their cameras so easy to use. But some of the changes they made here seem to be completely unnecessary and counterintuitive to what Canon users are used to.

On the positive side, Canon has added built-in GPS for you geo-tracking photographers. It also has several different shooting modes that should make both the casual and serious photographer happy. Though you don't get the same image quality provided by more expensive cameras, you'll certainly be satisfied for the price. The PowerShot SX260 should certainly be on your list if you're in the market for a new sub-compact.

Advantages: very good picture quality; 20x zoom lens; built-in GPS; optical image stabilization; optional external flash

Disadvantages: video limited to 24 fps; inconsistent performance at low light; some indoor images can appear soft; poor battery performance

Price and Availability: the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS is available in North America, Europe, and Australia - other markets are limited; US price: $289-$299 UK price: £244-£289

Release Date: March 1, 2012

Ratings:

Megapixel Count: 4/5
Lens: 4/5
Shutter Lag & Sensor Size: 4/5
Flash: 5/5
Memory Card: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.4/5

Basic Specifications:

Resolution: 12.1 mp
Kit Lens: Canon 20x xZoom lens
View Finder: None
LCD Size: 3"
ISO: auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Shutter: 15 ~ 1/3200 sec.
Max Aperture: F3.5-F6.8
Dimensions: 106 x 61 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.4 x 1.3")
Weight: 231 g (0.51 lb / 8.15 oz)
MSRP: USD $349
Availability: N. America, Europe, Australia

Detailed Specifications:

General Information: 5 different drive modes, including self-timer; 9 exposure modes, 10 scene options; extra effects for video manipulation
Image Sensor: BSI-CMOS 12.1 mp
Image Capture: JPEG format; 16 res. options
Video Capture: H.264, 720p and 1080p video; MOV and iFrame formats; 6 res. options
Optics: 20x xZoom lens; focal length 25-500 mm
Auto Focus: yes; with image stabilization, TTL contrast detection
Display: 3" LCD
Exposure and Flash: ±2 EV range (1/3 EV steps); built-in flash, external flash option
Image Storage: SD, SDHC, SDXC
Connectivity: high speed USB, composite video/audio, HDMI
Power: Canon NB-6L Li-ion rechargeable battery
Software: Canon ZoomBrowser EX, PhotoStitch, Drivers & Utilities, ImageBrowser

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Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1 MP CMOS

Review

Ratings:

Basic Specifications:

Detailed Specifications:

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