What is the pixel pitch of the Canon SX20?
The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS provides 12 megapixels from a 1/2.3-inch sensor. This pixel density gives rise to a size of the individual pixel of 1.53µm.
The pixel size or pixel pitch can be calculated by dividing the sensor area by the pixel count and then taking the square root. In particular, the sensor in the Canon SX20 measures 6.17mm in width and 4.55mm in height, so that the total imaging area of the sensor amounts to 28 mm2. Moreover, the SX20 has 4 000 horizontal pixels and 3 000 vertical pixels, for a total of 12 megapixels. Then, the size (height or width) of each individual pixel can be calculated as the square root of the ratio of the sensor area (28 mm2) to the MP count (12 000 000).
Larger pixels provide advantages with respect to gathering light, particularly in low-light situations. Large pixels notably have a better signal to noise ratio, meaning that they can better differentiate between incoming photons and the noisy signals that the internal processes of the camera create. As a result, big pixels are particularly helpful to the photographer when shooting with high ISO settings.
Sensor specs and performance
The table below compares the sensor specs of the Canon SX20 to those of several similar cameras. The reported DXO values are indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better), covering color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SX20 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 720/30p | 19.2 | 10.5 | 225 | 37 | |
2. | Canon SX1 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 1080/30p | 19.0 | 10.3 | 144 | 35 | |
3. | Canon SX10 | 1/2.3 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 480/30p | 19.0 | 10.3 | 144 | 35 | |
4. | Canon SX30 | 1/2.3 | 14.0 | 4320 | 3240 | 720/30p | 19.4 | 10.7 | 320 | 39 | |
5. | Canon SX40 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/24p | 19.6 | 10.9 | 409 | 41 | |
6. | Canon SX50 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/24p | 20.3 | 11.2 | 179 | 47 | |
7. | Canon SX60 | 1/2.3 | 14.2 | 4608 | 3072 | 1080/60p | 19.2 | 10.8 | 127 | 39 | |
8. | Canon SX730 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 924 | 50 | |
9. | Canon XS | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.0 | 10.9 | 719 | 62 | |
10. | Leica V-LUX 2 | 1/2.3 | 14.0 | 4320 | 3240 | 1080/60i | 19.4 | 10.7 | 321 | 39 | |
11. | Panasonic FZ100 | 1/2.3 | 14.0 | 4320 | 3240 | 1080/60i | 19.4 | 10.7 | 306 | 39 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Further information on the sensor in the Canon SX20 and the camera's operation can be found in the camera manual.
In the United States, the SX20 was initially launched in August 2009 at a price of $399.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Camera Model | Canon SX20 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
Camera Lens | 28-560mm f/2.8-5.7 | |
Launch Date | August 2009 | |
Launch Price | USD 399 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CCD | |
Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | |
Sensor Area | 28 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | |
Crop Factor | 5.6x | |
Sensor Resolution | 12 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 4 000 x 3 000 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 1.53 μm | |
Pixel Density | 42.74 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | 720/30p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 3 200 ISO | |
Image Processor | DIGIC 4 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 202k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 2.5 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 230k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | No front-flip | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/3200s | |
Continuous Shooting | 0.7 shutter flaps/s | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDHC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | YES HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Canon 4xAA power pack | |
Body Dimensions |
123 x 88 x 87 mm (4.8 x 3.5 x 3.4 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 600 g (21.2 oz) |
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