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Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 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
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Older Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX270 HS
Nikon S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Announced August 2009
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Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Canon SX260 HS versus Nikon S640, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the S640 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was manufactured 2 years later than the S640 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX260 HS grades against the S640 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Nikon S640

 SX260 HS S640 
AnnouncedJune 2012August 2009Fresher by 35 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Canon SX260 HS

 S640 SX260 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Nikon S640

 SX260 HS S640 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX260 HS has got outside measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Nikon S640 has sizing of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Canon SX260 HS versus Nikon S640 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SX260 HS and the S640.

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX260 HS and S640 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The photograph here will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX260 HS and S640.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you would want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer SX260 HS provides an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S640 as a Portrait photography camera
37
has manual focus
features face detect focusing
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
20
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX260 HS
Street photography with Nikon S640
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (231g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (130 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography factors
Nikon S640 Sports photography factors
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
33
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX260 HS
Travel photography with Nikon S640
61
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
lighter than competitors (130g)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S640 Landscape photography highlights
41
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging information
Nikon S640 Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (231g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (130g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S640 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Nikon S640
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSNikon Coolpix S640
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Nikon Coolpix S640
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-06-04 2009-08-04
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 Expeed
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing range 5cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231 grams (0.51 lb) 130 grams (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $349 $225