Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon D5500

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Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon D5500

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX260 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX260 HS.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5500.
Compare Nikon D5500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SX280 HS
Compare SX260 HS vs SX280 HS

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600

Compare CANON SX280 HS vs NIKON D5600

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Differences

Canon SX260 HS advantages over Nikon D5500

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
32 mm vs 70 mm
Thinner
Faster JPEG shooting
10.3 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D5500 advantages over Canon SX260 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

820 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
1037k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.20 vs 0.52 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Read D5500 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Red)
Kit with 18-140mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-140mm lens (Red)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Red)

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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

Amazingly small for a DSLR; Great image quality for its class, including superb low light and high ISO performance; Generous JPEG buffer depth; High resolution.
Buffer depths are shallow when shooting RAW; Lacks GPS from the predecessor; No AA filter means it's susceptible to aliasing artifacts.
Read our Nikon D5500 Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Nikon D5500

Nikon S9100

$697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon S9100

Compared to Nikon S9500

Canon SX260 HS

Nikon S9500

$480
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Manual focus

$470
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon S9500

Nikon D5500

Nikon S9500

$697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$470
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon S9500

Compared to 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

Nikon D5500

Canon SX280 HS

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$300
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Canon SX280 HS

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon SX260 HS

Nikon D3400

$480
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Nikon D5600

Canon SX260 HS

Nikon D5600

$480
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500

Nikon D5600

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$898
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D5600

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