As the new replacement for Canon’s predecessor SX230 HS, the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS has a lot of detail changes in both the physical design as well as the hardware inside the machine.
Compared to its predecessor, the PowerShot SX260 HS looks sturdier due to its lack of four-corner design. The right hand side of the PowerShot SX260 HS is also fitted with a rubberized bezel to provide a more solid feel when used.
The unit we tested came in black and red. There’s also an all-black version, and a black one with blue accents.
The zoom goes up to 20x, from 14x on the SX230 HS, so it reaches about 1.4 times further. That covers 4.5–90mm, or 25–500mm in 35mm terms, and Canon’s Intelligent IS handles stabilization.
Processing moves to the newer DIGIC 5 chip, which pairs with the sensor to form what Canon calls its HS (High Sensitivity) System. The payoff is cleaner images at high ISO.
The sensor itself is unchanged: the same 12.1-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOS as the SX230 HS. Stills still top out at 4000 x 3000 pixels (4:3), and video is 1080p at 24 fps. The GPS carries over too. It records where each photo was taken and can keep the camera’s clock correct as you move between time zones.
It takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. In the box you get the NB-6L rechargeable battery, which Canon rates at about 230 shots, along with a charger, a strap, a software CD and the manual.
From the practical experience, the 106mm x 61.7mm, weighs 231g (including battery and memory card), the PowerShot SX260 HS feels very comfortable. The push button system on the PowerShot SX260 HS is generally highly sensitive, with almost no change compared to its predecessor SX230 HS. However, the power button design is not very convenient, hard to hit. The 3-inch LCD monitor of the PowerShot SX260 HS has a fairly wide viewing angle, but the image looks very attractive and detailed, but the color is still a bit fresher than it actually is Dazzling light when viewed outdoors.
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Image Stabilized Zoom 25mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full-HD Video (Black) (OLD MODEL): Buy it now
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Image Stabilized Zoom 25mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full-HD Video (Green) (OLD MODEL): Buy it now
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Image Stabilized Zoom 25mm Wide-Angle Optical Lens and 1080p HD Video (Red) (OLD MODEL): Buy it now
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Image Stabilized Zoom 25mm Wide-Angle Optical Lens and 1080p HD Video Super Bundle Includes Camera 16 GB Memory Card, Card Reader, Battery Pack, Carrying Case, Mini Tripod, and More.: Buy it now
Canon Powershot Sx260 Hs: Buy it now
In terms of visual quality, Test Lab found the PowerShot SX260 HS to be beautiful, natural-looking colors, especially skin color in portraits. Image detail of the PowerShot SX260 HS is also impressive. Moreover, the focus system of the machine is not only fast focus but also very quiet operation. The built-in Flash of the PowerShot SX260 HS can also be customized with manual exposure intensity, which is well suited for manual exposure mode.
The 20x lens pulls distant subjects in without losing much color or detail, and the image stabilization does a good job of keeping those long shots steady. At full zoom it reaches 90mm, which works out to 500mm in 35mm terms.
Noise is well controlled. Shots at ISO 800 and 1600 still look clean. At ISO 3200 the noise becomes visible, but the images are still usable.
Test Lab is also very impressed by the video quality (Full HD) shot from this viewfinder. The optical zoom system works smoothly and fairly fast even while recording. Stereo sound from the integrated microphone system of the PowerShot SX260 HS is very clear. If the user activates the Wind Filter feature on the machine, the background noise will improve significantly. However, as with other digital camera models, the built-in speakers on the PowerShot SX260 HS have a fairly small volume despite the maximum volume boost. The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS also supports the ability to create 720p HD quality movies by combining snapshots in the unique Movie Digest mode.
The GPS feature of the PowerShot SX260 HS works pretty well, fast satellite detection speed. But by default this feature is not enabled and users should also pay attention to setting the date and time zone for the previous machine. Users can also view location information of images or video directly on the computer, or use the software provided from the accompanying disc. However, because the GPS system stays on even when the phone is off, you should turn it off when not in use to ensure battery life.
User Experience
The SX260 HS doesn’t take long to learn. The menus are where you’d expect them to be, and between the mode dial and a few dedicated buttons, most setting changes don’t involve the menus at all.
The screen is a 3-inch LCD with 461,000 dots. It’s bright, and on playback you can zoom in far enough to tell whether you got the focus right. It isn’t a touchscreen, though the buttons react quickly enough that you may not care.
Canon rates the NB-6L battery at around 230 shots per charge. That’s typical for this class of camera, and typical isn’t much. On a long day of sightseeing you’ll likely run out before the day does, so pack a second battery.
Connectivity
The built-in GPS geotags your photos and can log the route you took, which you can later view on a map. On a travel camera, this is one of the more useful extras.
For getting files off the camera there’s USB 2.0, plus HDMI out for viewing on a TV. There’s no Wi-Fi. A wireless SD card can fill that gap if you really need it, though that means extra cost and one more thing to set up.
Against the competition
The 20x zoom is the reason to buy this camera. Canon’s HS System helps in dim light as well: indoor and evening shots come out with less noise than a sensor this small usually manages.
That said, the two cameras it’s most often compared with, Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-ZS20 and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V, also have GPS and 20x zooms, so the zoom doesn’t set the Canon apart from them. The Sony is fast and takes good pictures. It also has 3D shooting modes, which most buyers will treat as a novelty.
What’s good
20x optical zoom, usable while recording video
Sharp, colorful images from the 12.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor
Good low-light performance for its class
1080p video with stereo sound
Built-in GPS with route logging
Small and light enough for a jacket pocket
What’s not
No Wi-Fi
Around 230 shots per charge
No touchscreen
Burst mode stops after 10 frames, which limits it for action
Verdict
If you want a pocketable camera with a long zoom and GPS, the SX260 HS does the job well. Its weak points (no Wi-Fi, average battery, no touchscreen) are the kind that feel more dated every year. For travel it’s still a sensible pick. If wireless transfer is a must, look at newer models first.
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Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.