Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Digital Camera Review

Shooting Modes

An extensive mode dial is found at the upper right corner of the rear plate, and it includes traditional "PASM" shooting modes plus a slew of others, including two automatic modes, a dedicated video mode, scene and effects modes, discreet mode, and more.

Focus

The SX260 performed poorly in our new focus test, particularly in low light. On a few occasions the camera missed focus when it shouldn't have, and once even committed the cardinal sin of missing focus but falsely reporting a lock.

A dedicated macro focus mode is available from a menu hotkey, though it only works at certain focal lengths as indicated by an onscreen display. "By wire" manual focus is also available, along with some digital zoom assists. It doesn't work very well, but can be slightly useful in a pinch.

Recording Options

Four aspect ratio options are available, and each have four resolutions of varying size associated with them. Unlike the Canon S100, RAW encoding is not available, however JPEG compression may be set to either Fine or Super Fine.