Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1
91 Imaging
36 Features
44 Overall
39


61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85
Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 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
- Revealed June 2012
- Replaced the Canon SX240 HS
- Replacement is Canon SX270 HS
(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

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.

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.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX260 HS and Sony Alpha a1. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX260 HS Gallery and Sony a1 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2021 | ![]() | June 2012 | Fresher by 105 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer 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 dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony a1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Sony 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 |