• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX260 HS advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    231g vs 555g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.3 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Canon SX260 HS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 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
    ~ 3.75 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
    ~0.80 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 540 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    614k 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
    0.21 vs 0.52 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 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
    Unlimited 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX260 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH3

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.

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

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
Panasonic GH3
Nikon S9100
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Panasonic GH3
Nikon S9500
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Panasonic GH3
Canon SX280 HS
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Canon SX260 HS
Olympus E-M1
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Canon SX260 HS
Panasonic GH4
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Compare Other Cameras?