Company Canon represents compact camera Canon PowerShot SX260 HS as the ideal companion in travel to what in great measure should promote the integrated GPS-receiver. PowerShot cameras of two hundredth series traditionally cause much interest with the optimum combination of characteristics. The lenses are easy to carry at all times due to their uniquely compact size for high magnification zooms . Popular with beginners and experienced amateurs alike.
Technical parameters
| Image sensor format | 1/2.3 inch CMOS |
| Lens | 25-500mm 35mm Eq. , f/3.5-6.8, 5 cm MF for macro shooting , image stabilizer |
| Sensor size | 12.1 million., 4000×3000 pixels. |
| LCD display | 7.5 cm, 461,000 pixels. |
| Photo formats | 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1 |
| Autofocus | 1 point, Face Detection |
| Shutter speed range | 15-1/3200 s |
| Shooting Modes | Smart Auto 58 scenes , P, Av, Tv, M, simplified Live, scene mode, video selection |
| Continuous Shooting | 2.4 fps 10.3 fps speed shooting |
| Exposure metering | Evaluative metering by Face detection AF frame , Center-weighted integral metering, Spot metering by center |
| White balance | Auto, 7 presets, Smart Auto |
| Sensitivity | Auto, 100-3200 ISO |
| Flash | Built-in, up to 3.5 m W , up to 2.0 m T |
| Video shooting | Full HD up to 1920×1080, 24 fps, MOV, H.264 stereo, slow motion video |
| GPS | GPS tagging, GPS logger, automatic time synchronization |
| Memory cards | SD, SDHC, SDXC |
| Interfaces | Hi-Speed miniUSB, miniHDMI |
| Power | Li ION NB-6L 230 shots |
| Dimensions | 105,5×61×32,7 mm |
| Weight | 231 g with battery and memory card |
| Indicative price | 10 800 Dollars. |
About the camera
SX260 HS causes special interest among travelers, because this model is equipped with a GPS-module. This feature allows you to precisely “fix” footage to the area, which is very important for long and saturated with a large number of objects travel.
the camera body traditionally has no protruding parts, and holding the camera after using a DSLR seems unreliable, but given the lightness of the camera and the features of its holding when sighting exclusively on the monitor, there are no special problems. However, to be on the safe side, be sure to attach the strap provided and always use it.
Camera controls are quite ascetic and intuitive. Easy-to-use controls for customizing settings and conveniently located controls for current operations. On the top of the camera there is a power button, zoom control and shutter button. Rear panel vertical gear wheel for quick switching of shooting modes, video start button, playback button.
Just below the classic multifunction dial for exposure compensation, flash, focus and shutter modes. At the very bottom, current info and menu buttons. All controls are right hand oriented and the good news is that there is nothing superfluous.
The characteristics of the camera allow to take quite good pictures. Although they are not record breaking by any of the parameters, their combination is optimal and fully complies with the quoted price.
Shooting
The first photos were taken at the Canon company representative office right after I got the camera for a test, I was eager to try it! Considering the clarity of the controls, it was not difficult to shoot a few frames for a preliminary assessment. The camera felt very comfortable in my hands, despite the smooth body. The small overhang on the front for the right hand is a better feel for the camera’s position. Zooming is done quite comfortably with the index finger, and in further shootings it seemed quite convenient.
I shot the streets of New York in different modes: from manual settings to auto scene selection. Exposure was very accurate in almost all situations, only in scenes with backlighting did I need to make adjustments, and not always. Camera performance in this respect was quite predictable, and a simple program mode was subsequently used. In the process of shooting we found out an interesting peculiarity of sensitivity auto-setting algorithm.
Usually with compact cameras, the automation keeps the ISO to a minimum, even in night scenes, sometimes forcing you to shoot with too slow shutter speeds. The reason for this approach is clear: image quality drops a lot at high sensitivities, and therefore there is almost no response to light reduction. The PowerShot SX260 HS has a completely different approach.
When the light level falls and the lens focal length increases, the sensitivity really does increase, and the image quality remains high thanks to the amazingly low noise level. This makes it possible to set the ISO speed to auto ISO mode and not have to worry about it later on.
The camera’s compact size and rather austere appearance have turned out to be very convenient for street photography. The device doesn’t draw public’s attention at all of course, it is true for the silver or black coloring of the body if a photographer will be holding a bright green or crimson camera, it will be more noticeable . It also helps to be able to shoot from a distance with the 20x zoom.
the high magnification of the lens has its own characteristics, and when shooting, it’s sometimes difficult to keep track of the zoom position and control the shutter speed in telemode. A number of pictures taken at maximum focus confirmed not only the high efficiency of the automatic exposure control, but also the good work of the image stabilizer. In addition to the strong optical zoom the camera has a digital zoom with a factor of 39x, but its use is better to limit, because the drop in image quality is quite noticeable.
Full HD video shooting looks good on the big screen, aided greatly by high-quality image stabilization. Virtually no flicker. Nevertheless the small weight of the camera influences: without a tripod it is difficult enough to hold a horizon, also shaking of the camera in long rollers is noticeable. Carrying a large tripod is not necessary, but a lightweight monopod is a must to shoot video. The camera has many shooting modes and picture editing functions.
It is difficult to tell about all of them in a magazine article, and not all modes are used in everyday photography. The same applies to GPS, which is of little use when traveling around town. However travelers with its help can not only position the place of shooting, but also to lay out a route of travel.
Conclusions
Exposure programs work fine. Only needed to correct against the light. The quality of the lens is excellent for this class of camera. The auto sensitivity mode is very well worked out and is very responsive to changing shooting conditions. No problems during the file processing with graphics editors, because the internal image processor of the camera processes the image very correctly.
High zoom rate requires careful consideration of shutter speed in telephoto mode. Even a great stabilizer does not always help. It is very simply solved by using a compact monopod tripod. This is, however, a feature of all superzooms.
The camera can be recommended not only for travelers, but also for the widest range of photographers.
Tests in pictures
A shot in an office center in very difficult lighting. No adjustments necessary 25mm, f/8, 1/125 sec, ISO 100 .
Street Scene. Nobody paid attention to the photographer
(186mm, f/5.6, 1/800s, ISO 125 .
Sharpness on the subject is exceptional. Thanks to the open aperture the background of the image is well blurred
(235 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 s, ISO 200 .
Close up photography example. Very good dynamic range sensor 25 mm, f/4, 1/250 s, ISO 160 .
How accurate is the GPS module in Canon PowerShot SX260 HS? Can it effectively track locations while traveling in different countries?
How accurate and reliable is the GPS module on the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS? Can it effectively track and geotag photos while traveling?