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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Superseded the Canon SX240 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX270 HS
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Canon SX20 IS versus Canon SX260 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both sold by Canon. The resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the SX260 HS (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was introduced 23 months earlier than the SX260 HS which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX260 HS being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX20 IS scores against the SX260 HS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX260 HS

 SX20 IS SX260 HS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX260 HS SX20 IS 
AnnouncedJune 2012July 2010More modern by 23 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX260 HS

 SX20 IS SX260 HS 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS features exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Canon SX260 HS has dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX20 IS versus Canon SX260 HS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SX20 IS vs the SX260 HS.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and SX260 HS is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and SX260 HS.

As you can see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you should expect similar quality of photos but you will need to consider the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX260 HS
37
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
37
manual focus
has face detection focusing
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX260 HS Street photography factors
49
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition in class (600 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (231g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX260 HS as a Sports photography camera
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography details
Canon SX260 HS Travel photography details
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
really wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (600g)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition (231g)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery life (230 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography details
35
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
41
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery life (230 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SX260 HS Vlogging factors
50
really wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (600g)
34
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (231 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing external microphone support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX260 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISCanon PowerShot SX260 HS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2012-06-04
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Digic 5
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focusing distance 0cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - PureColor II TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lbs) 231 gr (0.51 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $500 $349