• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 360.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX120 IS advantages over Canon SX260 HS

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos

Canon SX260 HS advantages over Canon SX120 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~1.95 vs 3.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    500 mm vs 360 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 44 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    231g vs 302g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.52 vs 0.80 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.3 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Buy the Canon SX120 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX260 HS
Canon SX260 HS
All SX260 HS Deals

Review Excerpt

  • 20x zoom ranges from very wide to ultra telephoto; Wide range of exposure settings, including Manual, plus many auto modes; Full HD video at 1080p; Video autofocus and zoom while shooting, HDMI interface; Very good image quality; Built-in GPS.

  • Tight control placement; Low battery life; Soft corners at wide angle; Small front fingergrip; No live histogram. No raw mode.

  • Read our Canon SX260 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S1000fd

Canon SX120 IS
Fujifilm S1000fd
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Fujifilm S1000fd

Canon SX260 HS
Fujifilm S1000fd
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Fujifilm S1000fd

Compared to Canon SX110 IS

Canon SX120 IS
Canon SX110 IS
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX110 IS

Canon SX260 HS
Canon SX110 IS
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX110 IS

Compared to Fujifilm S1500

Canon SX120 IS
Fujifilm S1500
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Fujifilm S1500

Canon SX260 HS
Fujifilm S1500
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Fujifilm S1500

Compared to Nikon S9100

Canon SX120 IS
Nikon S9100
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S9100

Canon SX260 HS
Nikon S9100
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S9100

Compared to Canon SX280 HS

Canon SX120 IS
Canon SX280 HS
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX280 HS

Canon SX260 HS
Canon SX280 HS
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Canon SX280 HS

Compare Other Cameras?