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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)
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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
Photography Glossary
	

		

			
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