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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Replaced the Canon SX240 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX40
Photography Glossary

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic FX48, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the FX48 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was introduced 3 years after the FX48 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SX260 HS scores versus the FX48 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Panasonic FX48

 SX260 HS FX48 
IntroducedJune 2012January 2009Newer by 41 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Canon SX260 HS

 FX48 SX260 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic FX48

 SX260 HS FX48 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX260 HS has got exterior measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic FX48 has proportions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic FX48 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX260 HS against the FX48.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX260 HS and FX48 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specs. The pic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX260 HS and FX48.

All in all, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you should always factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more recent SX260 HS provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Portrait photography camera
37
you can focus manually
supports face detection autofocus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (231 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX260 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic FX48
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Travel photography factors
Panasonic FX48 Travel photography factors
61
lighter than competitors in class (231g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
58
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX260 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FX48
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
33
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FX48 Vlogging highlights
34
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (231g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
30
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic FX48
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FX40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-06-04 2009-01-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
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 surface 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, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/3000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231g (0.51 lb) 150g (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $349 $325