Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX5
91 Imaging
36 Features
44 Overall
39


88 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38
Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced June 2012
- Previous Model is Canon SX240 HS
- Successor is Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
- 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
- Revealed December 2011
- Replaced the Panasonic LX3
- Renewed by Panasonic LX7

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX5 Overview
In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic LX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the LX5 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the SX260 HS (1/2.3") and LX5 (1/1.63") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

The SX260 HS was announced 6 months later than the LX5 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SX260 HS scores against the LX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX260 HS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX260 HS Gallery & Panasonic LX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Panasonic LX5
SX260 HS | LX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Canon SX260 HS
LX5 | SX260 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic LX5
SX260 HS | LX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2012 | ![]() | December 2011 | Similar age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX260 HS has external measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX5 has proportions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic LX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SX260 HS compared to the LX5.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX260 HS and LX5 is 91 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX260 HS and LX5.
Clearly, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SX260 HS with its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Canon SX260 HS will give more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-06-04 | 2011-12-15 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 5 | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.63" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 8.07 x 5.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 44.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 24-90mm (3.8x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/2.0-3.3 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 4.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | PureColor II TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 7.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 231 gr (0.51 lb) | 271 gr (0.60 lb) |
Dimensions | 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 41 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 19.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 10.8 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 132 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 photos | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail price | $349 | $294 |