“Images taken using the full 20x optical zoom are
impressive, and the image stabilization gives you good shots handheld”
There is a build-in GPS system that allows you to track your
photo locations.
The SX260 can shoot movies in full HD.
The 20x zoom lens allows you to get in close to distant
subjects.
Buy this if…
You want an advanced compact with a huge zoom
The SX260 HS joins Canon’s PowerShot line-up as the
latest addition to the travel zoom range
Offering an impressive 20x optical zoom in a very compact
body, the SX260 focuses itself on being a travel compact. It therefore to have
a zoom range that can cope with any situation, and settings that are ideal for
any subject.
It’s common for cameras with longer zooms to struggle at the
longer end of the zoom length. Although there is a noticeable drop in quality,
images taken using the full 20x optical zoom are impressive, and the image
stabilization gives you good shots handheld.
The abundance of shooting modes found on the SX260 is enough
to cater for any photographer. If you’re looking for an easy camera that will
be ready for any situation, the 58 recognisable scenes make the Auto setting
ideal. If you’re looking to take more control of your photos, the SX260 comes
with Shutter and Aperture Priority, as well as full Manual modes. The Manual
Focus option allows you to fine-tune the focus on screen and the overlay
Options menu allows for simple tweaks to things like ISO and white balance.
Using the SX260 is very easy, with an accessible button
layout that makes changing settings very quick and simple. There is a mode dial
on the back of the menus. The pop-up flash on top of the body is very small and
discreet; although its positioning can easily catch you out with your finger
placement.
Photos taken with the SX260 are generally excellent. Colours
look slightly more saturated the usual, but this helps to give them a punchy
look, making for impressive shots straight out of the camera. However, although
noise levels are kept fairly reasonable, going any higher than ISO 800 gives a
noticeable lack of detail. This won’t become an issue though, unless you’re
shooting in very dark conditions.
Around the back
you’ll find a high – res 3 –inch PureColor LCD screen
Hands-on…
The SX260 is very well laid out, providing all of the
different buttons on the back of the camera. There is also a simple overlay
menu that allows you to adjust simple settings while framing the shot.
We answer your questions…
Is this camera a good one to develop my knowledge of
manual settings?
The SX260 has a huge amount of auto settings and creative
filters. But, it also has full manual control, as well as some more advanced
options for thing like flash exposure compensation. Making it the perfect
camera to develop with.
What’s good about it
ü
Full manual settings allow you to develop your photography
ü
The button layout allows you to quickly and easy switch settings
What could be better
ü
Low-light images are perfectly usable, but the loss of detail is
noticeable
ü
The focusing distance means you won’t be able to capture really
close subjects
How good is it for
Portraits: Multiples-face recognition is great for
quick snaps of family and friends
Landscapes: The rich colour saturation boosts the
colours for great landscapes
Sports: Manual shutter speed control allows you to
easily freeze the action
Low light: Images start to lose detail as ISO
settings creep higher
Macro: A 5cm minimum-focus distance can make close-up
shots a little difficult
The info
Price: $350
Megapixels
/ 12.1MP
Enough for
prints of almost any size
Zoom
/ 20x optical, 4x digital
A huge
range for such as small body
Shutter
speeds / 15-1/3200sec
Ideal for
shooting in any light as well as freezing fast-moving action
ISO
sensitivity / 100-3200
Noise is
handled very well, even at higher ISO levels
Exp.
modes/ A, M, P, AP, SP, Easy, Discreet, Movie Digest, ten scene modes,
nine creative filters
Take full
control or experiment with the creative modes
Aperture:
f3.5-6.8
Flash
modes: A, FOff, FOn, SS
Weight:
231g with battery
Dimensions:
106 x 61 x 32.7mm
Batteries:
Lithium-ion
Storage:
SD/ SDHC/ SDXC
Screen:
3 inches
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Verdict
Features:
5/5
Design and
handling: 5/5
Build
quality: 4/5
Image
quality: 4/5
Value for
money: 4/5
The SX260
HS is an all-singing, all-dancing advanced compact camera. It has every
setting anymore could want, a huge zoom lens and impressive image quality to
boot: 5/5
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