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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was manufactured 5 months later than the S2 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SX260 HS scores against the S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Panasonic S2

 SX260 HS S2 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Canon SX260 HS

 S2 SX260 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic S2

 SX260 HS S2 
IntroducedJune 2012January 2012Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX260 HS provides external dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SX260 HS and the S2.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX260 HS and S2 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The visual below may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX260 HS and S2.

All in all, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic S2 to resolve greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography highlights
37
manual focus
features face detection focus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography factors
Panasonic S2 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (231g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (112 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography features
Panasonic S2 Sports photography features
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
good battery pack (280 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition (231g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
good battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than others (112 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX260 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic S2
41
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery life (230 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
41
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good battery pack (280 per charge)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging information
Panasonic S2 Vlogging information
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (231 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have external mic jack
32
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than others (112g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic S2
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-06-04 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 231g (0.51 pounds) 112g (0.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images 280 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $349 $109