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Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
43
Features
51
Overall
46

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 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
  • Launched June 2012
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX270 HS
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony HX200V
  • Replacement is Sony HX400V
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Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Canon SX260 HS versus Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the SX260 HS (12MP) and HX300 (20MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was unveiled 8 months before the HX300 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX260 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX260 HS matches up vs the HX300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Sony HX300

 SX260 HS HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Canon SX260 HS

 HX300 SX260 HS 
ReleasedFebruary 2013June 2012More recent by 8 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k461kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Sony HX300

 SX260 HS HX300 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX260 HS features outer dimensions 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 HX300 has dimensions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Check the Canon SX260 HS versus Sony HX300 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 depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX260 HS vs the HX300.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX260 HS and HX300 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at technical specs. The graphic below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX260 HS and HX300.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX300 to give greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SX260 HS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Portrait photography camera
37
manual focus
offers face detection focus
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
41
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography features
Sony HX300 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (231g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than average in class (623g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Sports photography camera
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
54
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Travel photography factors
Sony HX300 Travel photography factors
61
lighter than average in class (231 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (230 shots)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (623 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX300 Landscape photography highlights
41
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery power (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
48
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging information
Sony HX300 Vlogging information
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (231g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
25
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
heavier than average in class (623 grams)
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Canon SX260 HS vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Sony HX300
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-06-04 2013-02-20
Body design 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 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231g (0.51 pounds) 623g (1.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
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 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots One One
Launch price $349 $339