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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced November 2008
  • New Model is Panasonic LX5
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic LX3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the SX260 HS (1/2.3") and LX3 (1/1.63") provide different sensor sizes.

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The SX260 HS was revealed 3 years later than the LX3 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SX260 HS grades versus the LX3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Panasonic LX3

 SX260 HS LX3 
AnnouncedJune 2012November 2008Fresher by 44 months
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Canon SX260 HS

 LX3 SX260 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic LX3

 SX260 HS LX3 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX260 HS has got physical 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 Panasonic LX3 has sizing of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic LX3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX260 HS vs the LX3.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX260 HS and LX3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX260 HS and LX3.

Clearly, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SX260 HS with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Canon SX260 HS will give you extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern SX260 HS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography information
Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography information
37
has manual focus
features face detect autofocus
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
40
you can focus manually
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX260 HS
Street photography with Panasonic LX3
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (231 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
more heavy than others (265g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX260 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic LX3
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LX3 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competitors (231g)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
60
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (265 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography highlights
41
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
52
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging advice
Panasonic LX3 Vlogging advice
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (231g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
30
fairly wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
more heavy than others (265g)
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic LX3
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-06-04 2008-11-04
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-60mm (2.5x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.0-2.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 8.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 231g (0.51 pounds) 265g (0.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 39
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 94
Other
Battery life 230 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $349 $449