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Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 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
  • New Model is Canon SX270 HS
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Announced August 2012
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Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon SX260 HS versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the SX260 HS (12MP) and X-5 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was released 2 months earlier than the X-5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX260 HS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX260 HS grades vs the X-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Pentax X-5

 SX260 HS X-5 
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Canon SX260 HS

 X-5 SX260 HS 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Pentax X-5

 SX260 HS X-5 
AnnouncedJune 2012August 2012Same generation
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX260 HS comes with external dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Pentax X-5 has dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

See the Canon SX260 HS versus Pentax X-5 in the all new 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 choose at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SX260 HS vs the X-5.

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX260 HS and X-5 is 91 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The photograph below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX260 HS and X-5.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax X-5 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
37
manual focus
includes face detection focusing
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
44
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX260 HS
Street photography with Pentax X-5
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (231g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography information
Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
no phase detect AF
53
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX260 HS
Travel photography with Pentax X-5
61
lighter than average in class (231 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
54
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (595g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX260 HS
Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
41
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
no Timelapse function
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging advice
Pentax X-5 Vlogging advice
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (231 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no external microphone jack
27
fairly wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition (595g)
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Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Pentax X-5
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSPentax X-5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Pentax X-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-06-04 2012-08-22
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230 thousand dots
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231 gr (0.51 lb) 595 gr (1.31 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
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 shots 330 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $349 $230