Clicky

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 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
  • Replaced the Canon SX240 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX270 HS
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Canon SX260 HS versus Sony a1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the SX260 HS (12MP) and a1 (50MP) and the SX260 HS (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) provide different sensor dimensions.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The SX260 HS was announced 9 years earlier than the a1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX260 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SX260 HS matches up versus the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

				

Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Sony a1

 SX260 HS a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Canon SX260 HS

 a1 SX260 HS 
IntroducedJanuary 2021June 2012Fresher by 105 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k461kClearer screen (+979k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Sony a1

 SX260 HS a1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and size. The Canon SX260 HS has got physical measurements 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 Sony a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX260 HS versus Sony a1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX260 HS versus the a1.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX260 HS and a1 is 91 and 61 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through specifications. The photograph here might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX260 HS and a1.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX260 HS using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Sony a1 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 38MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The older SX260 HS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
37
focusing manually
supports face detect autofocus
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
88
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/400 seconds)
amazing resolution (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography factors
Sony a1 Street photography factors
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (231g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides touch focus
weather proof
great high ISO (32,000)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography highlights
Sony a1 Sports photography highlights
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high fps (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing resolution (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery pack (530 CIPA)
comes with phase detect AF
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony a1 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than others in class (231g)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery life (230 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
73
great battery pack (530 per charge)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
amazing resolution (50MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography highlights
Sony a1 Landscape photography highlights
41
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery life (230 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
88
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing resolution (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW files
weather proof
great battery pack (530 shots)
2 card slots
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging details
Sony a1 Vlogging details
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (231g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
does have external mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Sony a1
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSSony Alpha a1
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Sony Alpha a1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-06-04 2021-01-26
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 3200 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 133
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video format H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 231g (0.51 pounds) 737g (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
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 pictures 530 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single Dual
Cost at release $349 $6,498