Canon
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS 12.1MP CMOS Renewed
1080p1MP12MP
Twenty stops of optical zoom and built-in GPS let you chase the moment from wide street scenes to tight wildlife frames — all in a pocket-sized renewed compact.
$449.98*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 28, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Key Features
12MP CMOS sensor
25–500 mm equivalent F3.5 - 6.8 lens
ISO 100-3200
1080p -24FPS HD video
3" LCD with 461,000 dots
Digic 5 Processor
Built-in GPS
12.1 effective megapixel, 1/2.3-inch high-sensitivity CMOS sensor
3-inch TFT color LCD with wide viewing angle
25mm wide-angle lens with optical image stabilizer
20x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and 80x combined zoom
Full 1080p HD video with stereo sound
Specifications
Sensor
12.1MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS
Lens
25–500mm equivalent, F3.5–6.8
Optical Zoom
20x
Digital Zoom
4x (80x combined)
ISO Range
100–3200
Video
1080p HD at 24fps with stereo audio
LCD
3-inch TFT, 461,000 dots
Processor
Digic 5
GPS
Built-in
Condition
Renewed
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- The 25–500mm equivalent zoom range handles everything from wide environmental shots to compressed telephoto frames in a single body — eliminating the need for multiple lenses on travel and wildlife days.
- The optical image stabilizer on the long end of the zoom lets you shoot handheld at 500mm equivalent with a usable hit rate, which a lens-based stabilizer at that focal length would cost significantly more to achieve.
- Built-in GPS silently geotags every frame, making trip documentation and wildlife location logging effortless without an external accessory.
- The 1080p/24fps video with stereo audio captures travel footage at broadcast-standard resolution — enough quality for serious travel videography from a carry-everywhere compact.
- Renewed pricing puts a capable 20x zoom travel camera within reach at a fraction of the original cost.
👎 Cons
- The 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor limits low-light performance — images above ISO 800 show noise that will soften fine detail, making this a daylight and golden-hour camera rather than a low-light workhorse.
- F6.8 maximum aperture at the telephoto end means shots in shade or overcast conditions require higher ISO settings to maintain shutter speed, compounding the noise challenge.
- Digic 5 is a mature processor — autofocus performance in challenging light or on moving subjects won't match contemporary cameras, and subject tracking can hunt in variable conditions.
- As a renewed unit, battery and accessory condition may vary; a spare battery for full-day shoots is a practical precaution.
- No RAW file format support — JPEG-only output means post-processing latitude is limited compared to interchangeable-lens cameras in a similar price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Renewed" mean for this camera, and what condition should I expect?
Renewed means the camera has been inspected, tested, and refurbished to verified working condition — typically by the manufacturer or a certified refurbisher. Cosmetically there may be minor wear, but core functions including the sensor, lens, and LCD should perform as specified. It's a practical way to access a capable compact at a reduced price point.
How useful is the 20x optical zoom in real-world shooting — what subject distances does it cover?
The 25–500mm equivalent range is genuinely versatile. At 25mm you're capturing environmental portraits and wide street scenes; at 500mm you're filling the frame with a bird on a branch 30 meters away or isolating a face in a crowd at an event. The optical image stabilizer helps keep shots sharp at the long end where camera shake is amplified.
Does the built-in GPS log location data to photos automatically, or does it require activation?
The GPS logs geotag data to each image's EXIF metadata when the feature is enabled. There's a brief acquisition delay when powering on in a new location. For travel photography and wildlife documentation where location context matters, it's a useful passive feature — but it does draw additional battery, so you may prefer to toggle it off for sessions where geotagging isn't needed.
How does the 12.1MP CMOS sensor perform at higher ISO settings like 1600 or 3200?
At the 1/2.3-inch sensor size, ISO 1600 produces noticeable noise — acceptable for web use and small prints but not for large output. ISO 3200 is a push setting for emergency use only. This is consistent with the compact class; the camera performs best in good light where the CMOS sensor and Digic 5 processor combine to render clean, detailed images.
Can this camera record video while simultaneously using optical zoom?
Yes — the SX260 HS supports optical zoom during 1080p video recording. Zoom speed during video is smooth enough for deliberate pulls, though rapid zooming may be audible in the audio track.
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