The metal housing (around) makes a very high-quality impression as usual with Canon. I had several lucky that my Canons have endured even violent falls and would therefore no longer do without a metal case. The rotating wheels and buttons that do not want to loose, do a very good quality impression.
The outer shape I find not quite as successful as previous models, or some of its competitors (eg Lumix TZ 25), but that's a matter of taste and not critical to the function. In any case, one can see on the camera, it is a high end product. It is nice that the housing is slightly more compact than the SX200 again and again if necessary so that the camera fits in your pocket. Although its own camera bag prevents scratches, but is just always a bit annoying.
I welcome that the Canon still content with 12.1 megapixels. Nice to have you stay here realistically and do not join the race to ever higher pixel counts. For the chip size is 12.1 probably ideal.
More important is the push for me. With the 12x zoom of the SX200 hardly wishes already remained open, it was enough almost always. With the 20x zoom of the SX260 is now achieved for compact cameras the summit. Of course, it is advisable to use a tripod with full utilization, these are partly yes become very small and light. The image stabilizer makes otherwise good job.
Operation is no mystery, who already had a Canon can put the well-structured and readable manual safely aside. Since the menu is largely self-explanatory, you need it really just for a few special features. An SD card is not in what one can choose which size you need. In a two-week vacation I come with 8GB towards loose, mostly rich and 4GB. A very compact battery charger is included. So can be photographed while the second battery is being charged in the hotel rooms.
After switching on the camera is quickly ready to fire. The trigger could be quiet a little faster for my taste and it is also true that if you want to take multiple shots in succession. Alone, the competition can mE no better.
With the recording quality I am very satisfied. The images are high-contrast and rich in detail, even in close-ups. The colors are particular for outdoor scenes and intense course, but also indoors, where some cameras have difficulty are really good now. On the laptop screen to show only slight improvements to subjectively very good SX200, but maybe we need a large monitor or an expression. Noticeably better night shots seem to be me. Who wants to know, should look at the testing of the relevant magazines.
The automatic mode works very well in almost all situations. The images are better that when preselecting a special mode, I can not really notice. The HD videos are also very good. Zooming is possible. Super wide angle work.
Very interesting is the built-in GPS. So far I have not really missed the like and you can certainly do without. Facilitating for many applications, eg in geocaching, adding images to Google Maps / Earth or other locating a receiving position in difficult terrain, but it is very convenient. Quite as exact as with a good Garmin GPS position is not, but very close.
The battery power is sufficient - with original batteries - for around 150-200 images and thus for more than a vacation. Very useful is when working with the camera of course the huge 3-inch screen. He has an excellent resolution, so you can quickly detect even in unfavorable light conditions, if the picture has become somewhat.
Conclusion: Canon is its reputation and builds with the SX260 mE the reference in the compact class. Excellent workmanship and equipment that leaves nothing to be desired. But the price is reasonable.
