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Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Key Specs

Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX270 HS
Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2016
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Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SX260 HS and Canon SX420 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both designed by Canon. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX260 HS (12MP) and SX420 IS (20MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was brought out 4 years earlier than the SX420 IS which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX260 HS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the SX260 HS scores versus the SX420 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Canon SX420 IS

 SX260 HS SX420 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon SX260 HS

 SX420 IS SX260 HS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016June 2012More modern by 43 months

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Canon SX420 IS

 SX260 HS SX420 IS 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX260 HS features outer dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Canon SX420 IS has specifications of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX260 HS and Canon SX420 IS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SX260 HS against the SX420 IS.

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX260 HS and SX420 IS is 91 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The picture here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX260 HS and SX420 IS.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon SX420 IS to offer you extra detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged SX260 HS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Portrait photography camera
37
focusing manually
comes with face detect focus
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
comes with face detection focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography factors
Canon SX420 IS Street photography factors
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (231g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography information
Canon SX420 IS Sports photography information
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
41
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
max fps low (0.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (195 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Travel photography information
Canon SX420 IS Travel photography information
61
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
61
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (1008mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (195 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography details
Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography details
41
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
47
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery (195 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging advice
Canon SX420 IS Vlogging advice
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (231g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic port
29
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
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Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX420 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Canon SX420 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSCanon PowerShot SX420 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-06-04 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 DIGIC 4+
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.5-6.6
Macro focusing distance 5cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 0.5 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231 gr (0.51 lb) 325 gr (0.72 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 195 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $349 $299