• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX260 HS advantages over Canon SX50

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 105 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    231g vs 603g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SX50 advantages over Canon SX260 HS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 500 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 315 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    13.0 fps vs 10.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX260 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX50

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.

  • 50x optical zoom with whopping 24-1200mm-equivalent reach; Excellent image quality for its class; 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD; Ergonomic design and controls; Improved image stabilization and Zoom Framing Assist; Shoots RAW; Full 1080p HD video.

  • Poor low-light AF performance; Image quality deteriorates at ISO 800 and above; Sluggish cycle times; Below average battery life.

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
Canon SX50
Nikon S9100
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Canon SX50
Nikon S9500
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

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
Canon SX50
Canon SX280 HS
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon P600

Canon SX260 HS
Nikon P600
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SX50
Nikon P600
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon P610

Canon SX260 HS
Nikon P610
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SX50
Nikon P610
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Compare Other Cameras?