[Review] Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Point and Shoot

The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS digital camera is an ultra-slim camera with a powerful 20x optical zoom. You'll see amazing detail through the huge zoom and wide-angle lens, while the camera's 12.1MP high-sensitivity CMOS sensor deliver rich, clear low-light performance.

Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer is a sophisticated system that uses lens-shift technology to correct unwanted camera movement. It makes handheld photography more practical, providing excellent image quality in many difficult shooting situations: outdoors at dusk, inside without a flash, and even at the telephoto end of the zoom range without a tripod. For photos, it enables shooting at slower shutter speeds, accommodating more low-light shooting situations than ever before without having to boost ISO sensitivity.

At just over 1-1/4 inches thick, the PowerShot SX260 HS is an ultra-slim digital camera. But because its lens embodies the quality and legacy of Genuine Canon Optics, its advantages go far beyond making the camera slim enough to slip in your pocket and carry anywhere. With a range of 25mm-500mm (35mm equivalent), the lens gives you the power to capture the full breadth of scenes, with details you've never captured before.

Pioneered by Canon, UA Lens technology makes possible compact lenses with remarkable optical performance. By using molded glass with an ultra-high refractive index in aspherical lens elements, Canon has succeeded in reducing lens size while significantly reducing image aberrations. Another stellar example of cutting-edge Canon optics, UA Lens technology helps make PowerShot digital cameras pocket-friendly and capable of astounding image quality.

Improved chip architecture and algorithms deliver greatly expanded functionality with further refinement in image quality. Improved noise reduction produces clearer images when shooting in low light at high ISO speeds. Enhanced i-Contrast performance adjusts differences between light and dark areas to achieve even more natural-looking results. The DIGIC 5 Image Processor also makes possible a new, highly advanced automatic white balance system.

The Canon HS SYSTEM lets you take bright, clear photos in an even wider range of shooting situations. The system is the result of two technologies brought together in PowerShot cameras: a high-sensitivity imaging sensor, which is able to capture more light; and the DIGIC 5 Image Processor, which actively reduces noise with high-speed image processing. The DIGIC 5 Image Processor provides a major boost in noise reduction, expanding the usable ISO range to an amazing high of ISO 3200.

The combination of the advanced CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor in the PowerShot SX260 HS makes it possible to shoot crisp, clear high definition video. Imagine the fun and excitement of being able to shoot spectacular 1080p Full HD video with stereo sound that you can later watch on your HDTV or download to your computer to share with family and friends. In addition to being able to shoot Full HD 1080p video at 24 frames per second, the PowerShot SX260 HS can also shoot 720p HD video at 30 frames per second.

The PowerShot SX260 HS has a dedicated movie button that lets you start and stop recording instantly. There is no need to go through layers of menus or operate switches or dials to switch to and from video recording mode. The camera is always ready to shoot stills or video whenever you want. The PowerShot SX260 HS also incorporates an electronic wind filter, which suppresses wind noise that can muffle or distort the sound. And unlike less sophisticated point-and-shoot cameras, the PowerShot SX260 HS lets you use the full range of optical zoom when you are shooting a video.

With the PowerShot SX260 HS, you can also shoot video in the Apple iFrame format. The iFrame format enjoys native support in compatible Mac and Windows video applications, making it unnecessary to perform time-consuming and often quality-degrading conversions.

Its easy to enjoy and share the videos you shoot with the PowerShot SX260 HS. Simply connect its HDMI terminal to your HDTV using an HDMI cable. And because the PowerShot SX260 HS supports HDMI-CEC technology, you'll be able to control the playback of your images and videos on any CEC-enabled HDTV using the TVs remote control. (CEC – Consumer Electronic Control – is part of the HDMI specification, enabling components in a system to communicate with one another.)

Smart AUTO for the PowerShot SX260 HS has been significantly expanded, making it easier than ever to capture the sharp, bright, colorful images – and videos – you are looking for. By assessing various factors in both the background and the subject, the system recognizes 58 predefined shooting situations and automatically selects the camera settings that will yield the best possible results. Simply frame the shot you want, and in dozens of common or challenging scenarios the camera takes care of the rest. Smart AUTO makes the PowerShot SX260 HS ideal for capturing excellent quality still images and video on the go.

The latest advance in Canon Optical Image Stabilization technology, Intelligent IS analyzes camera movement and applies the best shake correction method for the shooting situation. For stills, the system automatically selects among Normal, Panning, Macro (Hybrid) and Tripod IS modes. When shooting video, the system automatically selects among Dynamic, Powered, Macro and Tripod IS modes. With Intelligent IS, you can concentrate on image capture, letting the camera make the most effective IS settings to assure the steadiest possible image.

Face ID is one of the most advanced and exciting new features of the PowerShot SX260 HS, giving you an easy way to improve every shot of the people you love. Simply take a picture of up to 12 faces you would like the camera to register, then enter names and ages. Once a person is registered, the camera will pick him or her out of a group (even against a busy background) and adjust focus and exposure to his or her face, even recognizing faces in profile. Face ID is particularly great for shots of babies and children. The system can pick your baby out of a group of children, focus on your baby when pictured with an adult, and capture her best smile by taking three successive images when the smile is detected. The flash is even disabled so as not to startle the baby and interrupt the moment. Older children in motion are tracked, with focus and exposure continually adjusted with Servo AF; with one shutter press three successive images are captured so the best shot is never missed. And because you'll identify each face you register, Face ID makes it easy to search images by name.

High-Speed Burst HQ makes it possible to capture fast action stills at full resolution during continuous shooting. The results are exceptionally high-quality images recorded in rapid sequence. In this mode, the PowerShot SX260 HS can capture a maximum of 10 shots in a single burst.

You can maximize the usefulness of the GPS feature by using the special bundled Map Utility software that makes it fun to share the memories of your world adventures. In addition to displaying all your photos' locations on a world map, the camera's GPS system can also track your route from photo to photo – a great way to visualize each trip! You can also create and share custom maps and personal mini-travel guides with friends and family members.

With the PowerShot SX260 HS digital camera, capturing trips and special occasions with a high-quality video highlights reel is as easy as switching on the Movie Digest feature. When activated, the feature automatically records the four seconds before each still shot as video, then auto-edits them into a short movie. Played back together, the video clips capture the mood and ambiance of special days in a way that's completely different from still images, both documenting the creation of still images and providing a unique stand-alone memory preserver. With bundled software ImageBrowser EX, you can easily delete any scenes you don't want.

The camera's silky-smooth coating provides a luxurious feel and radiates a deep, subtle sheen. And the fact that PowerShot SX260 HS is packed with serious specs and technological advancements doesn't mean you're limited to basic black: your color choice is as individual as the images you'll create. Choose from black, red and green.

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