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Canon SX20 Comparison Review

The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in August 2009 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 12 megapixel.

camera

Is the Canon SX20 a good camera? The SX20 has a Camera Elo of 1071. This rating puts the SX20 below average of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the SX20 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Canon SX20 is more than 14 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2009.

Headline Specifications
Canon SX20
Fixed lens compact camera
28-560mm f/2.8-5.7
12 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
720/30p Video
ISO 100 - 3 200
Electronic viewfinder (202k dots)
2.5 LCD, 230k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
0.7 shutter flaps per second
123 x 88 x 87 mm, 600 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Canon SX20 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Canon SX20 vs credit card front
SX20 versus credit card top view
SX20 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon SX20 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX20 123 mm 88 mm 87 mm 600 g .. n Aug 2009 399ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 116 mm 74 mm 66 mm 553 g 240 n Feb 2014 799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 549ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX50 123 mm 87 mm 106 mm 595 g 315 n Sep 2012 429ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX40 123 mm 92 mm 108 mm 600 g 380 n Sep 2011 429ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX30 123 mm 92 mm 108 mm 601 g 370 n Sep 2010 429ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX10 123 mm 88 mm 87 mm 600 g .. n Sep 2008 399ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX1 128 mm 88 mm 88 mm 615 g .. n Sep 2008 599ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 1000D 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon SX20 was launched in the US market at a price of $399. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Canon SX20 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon SX20 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Canon SX20 sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   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 3000720/30p19.210.522537
2.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 1.5-inch 13.0 4160 31201080/30p21.510.858158
3.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
4.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
5.
 
Canon SX50 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/24p20.311.217947
6.
 
Canon SX40 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.610.940941
7.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
8.
 
Canon SX30 1/2.3 14.0 4320 3240720/30p19.410.732039
9.
 
Canon SX10 1/2.3 10.0 3648 2736480/30p19.010.314435
10.
 
Canon SX1 1/2.3 10.0 3648 27361080/30p19.010.314435
11.
 
Canon 1000D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The SX20 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the SX20 can use is 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon SX20 and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon SX20202 n2.5 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.7/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 5.2/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX50202 n3.0 / 461 swivel n 1/2000s 2.2/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon SX40202 n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 10.3/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon SX30202 n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.6/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon SX10202 n2.5 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.7/s Y Y
10.
 
Canon SX1202 n2.8 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 4.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon 1000Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the SX20

One convenient feature of the SX20 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon SX20Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
2.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon SX50Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon SX40Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
7.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon SX30Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
9.
 
Canon SX10Ystereo / mono---2.0---
10.
 
Canon SX1Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
11.
 
Canon 1000DY- / ----2.0---
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The SX20 has a zoom lens built in (5-100mm f/2.8-5.7), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 28 to 560mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the SX20 can be found in the free online Canon SX20 Manual or on the Canon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the SX20 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX20..+ +..73/100..4/5 Aug 2009 399ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II3/5+..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2014 799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 549ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX503/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 429ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX40..+....4.5/54/5 Sep 2011 429ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX303/5+ +....3.5/54/5 Sep 2010 429ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX10..+ +......4/5 Sep 2008 399ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX1..+ +..+..3.5/5 Sep 2008 599ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 1000D..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Canon SX20 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the SX20.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Canon SX20 based on?

The camera is build around a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Canon SX20 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Canon equipped the SX20 with the DIGIC 4 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon SX20?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200.

Does the Canon SX20 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon SX20 for flash photography?

The SX20's flash sync speed is 1/500 sec.

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.

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    Specifications Summary
    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 Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/3200s
    Continuous Shooting 0.7 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno 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 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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