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Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
32
Features
29
Overall
30

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 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
  • Superseded the Canon SX240 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX270 HS
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Launched May 2009
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Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Canon SX260 HS versus Sony H20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the H20 (10MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was revealed 3 years later than the H20 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SX260 HS grades against the H20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Sony H20

 SX260 HS H20 
LaunchedJune 2012May 2009More recent by 38 months
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Canon SX260 HS

 H20 SX260 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Sony H20

 SX260 HS H20 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX260 HS has got physical dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony H20 has proportions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX260 HS versus Sony H20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX260 HS versus the H20.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX260 HS and H20 is 91 and 87 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX260 HS and H20.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon SX260 HS to give greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher SX260 HS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography features
Sony H20 Portrait photography features
37
you can focus manually
comes with face detection focus
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
focusing manually
can't use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Street photography camera
Sony H20 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (231g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography info
Sony H20 Sports photography info
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Travel photography factors
Sony H20 Travel photography factors
61
lighter than competition (231 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
long reach (380mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (250g)
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX260 HS
Landscape photography with Sony H20
41
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
36
focusing manually
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging details
Sony H20 Vlogging details
34
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (231 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
more heavy than competition (250g)
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Canon SX260 HS vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Sony H20
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-06-04 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 -
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231g (0.51 pounds) 250g (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
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 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $349 $249