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Canon SX20 vs Nikon Z9

The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and the Nikon Z9 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2009 and October 2021. The SX20 is a fixed lens compact, while the Z9 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX20) and a full frame (Z9) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 12 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 45.4 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon SX20
versus
Nikon Z9
Canon SX20   Nikon Z9
Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
28-560mm f/2.8-5.7 Nikon Z mount lenses
12 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 45.4 MP – Full Frame sensor
720/30p Video 8K/30p Video
ISO 100-3,200 ISO 64-25,600 (32 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (202k dots) Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)
2.5" LCD – 230k dots 3.2" LCD – 2089k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Fully flexible touchscreen
0.7 shutter flaps per second 30 shutter flaps per second
Lens-based stabilizationIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
123 x 88 x 87 mm, 600 g 149 x 150 x 91 mm, 1340 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and the Nikon Z9? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon SX20 and the Nikon Z9. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon SX20 vs Nikon Z9
Compare SX20 versus Z9 top
Comparison SX20 or Z9 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Z9 is considerably larger (106 percent) than the Canon SX20. It is noteworthy in this context that the Z9 is splash and dust-proof, while the SX20 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the SX20 has a lens built in, whereas the Z9 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

As can be seen in the images above, the Z9 has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. The power pack in the Z9 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
  empty 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.
 
Nikon Z9 149 mm 150 mm 91 mm 1340 g 740 Y Oct 2021 5,499 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1440 g 2850 Y Jan 2020 6,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX1 128 mm 88 mm 88 mm 615 g .. n Sep 2008 599ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX10 123 mm 88 mm 87 mm 600 g .. n Sep 2008 399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX30 123 mm 92 mm 108 mm 601 g 370 n Sep 2010 429ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX40 123 mm 92 mm 108 mm 600 g 380 n Sep 2011 429ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX50 123 mm 87 mm 106 mm 595 g 315 n Sep 2012 429ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 549ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX730 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 300 g 250 n Apr 2017 399ebay.com
11.
 
Canon XS 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
12.
 
Leica V-LUX 2 124 mm 80 mm 95 mm 520 g 410 n Sep 2010 849ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D6 160 mm 163 mm 92 mm 1270 g 3580 Y Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
14.
 
Nikon Z7 134 mm 101 mm 67 mm 675 g 330 Y Aug 2018 3,399ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon Z7 II 134 mm 101 mm 70 mm 705 g 420 Y Oct 2020 2,999 amazon.com
16.
 
Nikon Z8 144 mm 119 mm 83 mm 910 g 340 Y May 2023 3,999 amazon.com
17.
 
Panasonic FZ100 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 540 g 410 n Jul 2010 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The SX20 was launched at a lower price than the Z9, despite having a lens built in. 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.

Sensor comparison

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

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX20 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Nikon Z9 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the Z9 is 2964 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.0. The sensor in the SX20 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the Z9 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Canon SX20 and Nikon Z9 sensor measures

With 45.4MP, the Z9 offers a higher resolution than the SX20 (12MP), but the Z9 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.35μm versus 1.53μm for the SX20) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Z9 is a much more recent model (by 12 years and 2 months) than the SX20, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon Z9 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Z9 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.3 x 27.5 inches or 104.9 x 69.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33 x 22 inches or 83.9 x 55.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.5 x 18.3 inches or 69.9 x 46.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon SX20 are 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm for good quality, 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm for very good quality, and 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Z9 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Z9 are ISO 64 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 32-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the SX20 is build around a CCD sensor, while the Z9 uses a Stacked BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

SX20 versus Z9 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty 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.
 
Nikon Z9 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55048K/30p26.314.4245198
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.214.5324891
4.
 
Canon SX1 1/2.3 10.0 3648 27361080/30p19.010.314435
5.
 
Canon SX10 1/2.3 10.0 3648 2736480/30p19.010.314435
6.
 
Canon SX30 1/2.3 14.0 4320 3240720/30p19.410.732039
7.
 
Canon SX40 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.610.940941
8.
 
Canon SX50 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/24p20.311.217947
9.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
10.
 
Canon SX730 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.511.992450
11.
 
Canon XS APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
12.
 
Leica V-LUX 2 1/2.3 14.0 4320 32401080/60i19.410.732139
13.
 
Nikon D6 Full Frame 20.7 5568 37124K/30p25.314.3288695
14.
 
Nikon Z7 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/30p26.314.6266899
15.
 
Nikon Z7 II Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/60p26.314.72841100
16.
 
Nikon Z8 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55048K/30p26.314.2254898
17.
 
Panasonic FZ100 1/2.3 14.0 4320 32401080/60i19.410.730639
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Z9 provides a better video resolution than the SX20. It can shoot movie footage at 8K/30p, while the Canon is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the Z9 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the SX20 (3690k vs 202k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX20 and Nikon Z9 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty 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.
 
Nikon Z93690 Y3.2 / 2089 full-flex Y 1/32000s 30.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIIoptical Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon SX1202 n2.8 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 4.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX10202 n2.5 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.7/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon SX30202 n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.6/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon SX40202 n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 10.3/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon SX50202 n3.0 / 461 swivel n 1/2000s 2.2/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
10.
 
Canon SX730none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon XSoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Leica V-LUX 2202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 11.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Nikon D6optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
14.
 
Nikon Z73690 Y3.2 / 2100 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n Y
15.
 
Nikon Z7 II3690 Y3.2 / 2100 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
16.
 
Nikon Z83690 Y3.2 / 2089 full-flex Y 1/32000s 30.0/s n Y
17.
 
Panasonic FZ100202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 11.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The SX20 has one, while the Z9 does not. While the built-in flash of the SX20 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the Z9 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon Z9 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The SX20 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the Z9 uses CFexpress (type B) or XQD cards. The Z9 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the SX20 only has one slot.

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Connectivity 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 Nikon Z9 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty 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.
 
Nikon Z9Ystereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIIYmono / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Canon SX1Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
5.
 
Canon SX10Ystereo / mono---2.0---
6.
 
Canon SX30Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
7.
 
Canon SX40Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
8.
 
Canon SX50Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
10.
 
Canon SX730-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
11.
 
Canon XSY- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Leica V-LUX 2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D6Ystereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
14.
 
Nikon Z7Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
15.
 
Nikon Z7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
16.
 
Nikon Z8Ystereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
17.
 
Panasonic FZ100Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---

It is notable that the Z9 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the SX20 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon Z9 (unlike the SX20) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the Z9 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

The Z9 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the SX20 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the SX20 was succeeded by the Canon SX30. Further information on the features and operation of the SX20 and Z9 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX20 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon Z9 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon SX20 better than the Nikon Z9 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS:

  • Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the Z9 requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (123x88mm vs 149x150mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the Z9).
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2009).

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Reasons to prefer the Nikon Z9:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (45.4 vs 12MP), which boosts linear resolution by 98%.
  • Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
  • Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (8K/30p vs 720/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (3690k vs 202k dots).
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2089k vs 230k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/32000s vs 1/3200s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (30 vs 0.7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More modern: Reflects 12 years and 2 months of technical progress since the SX20 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Z9 is the clear winner of the contest (30 : 6 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

SX20 06:30 Z9

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX20 and the Nikon Z9 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the SX20 or the Z9 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  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.
 
Nikon Z95/5..4.5/594/1005/55/5 Oct 2021 5,499 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III..+ +5/5..4.5/54/5 Jan 2020 6,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SX1..+ +..+..3.5/5 Sep 2008 599ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX10..+ +......4/5 Sep 2008 399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX303/5+ +....3.5/54/5 Sep 2010 429ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX40..+....4.5/54/5 Sep 2011 429ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX503/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 429ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 549ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX730..+....4/54/5 Apr 2017 399ebay.com
11.
 
Canon XS..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
12.
 
Leica V-LUX 2............ Sep 2010 849ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D6....4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
14.
 
Nikon Z75/5+4.8/589/1004.5/55/5 Aug 2018 3,399ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon Z7 II4.5/5..4.5/5..4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2020 2,999 amazon.com
16.
 
Nikon Z85/5..5/594/1005/54.5/5 May 2023 3,999 amazon.com
17.
 
Panasonic FZ100..+....4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2010 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon SX20 vs Nikon Z9

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon SX20 Nikon Z9
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens 28-560mm f/2.8-5.7 Nikon Z mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2009 October 2021
    Launch Price USD 399 USD 5,499
    Sensor Specs Canon SX20 Nikon Z9
    Sensor Technology CCD Stacked BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 35.9 x 23.9 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 858.01 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 43.1 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels 45.4 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.53 μm 4.35 μm
    Pixel Density 42.74 MP/cm2 5.30 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video 8K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3,200 ISO 64 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 32 - 102,400 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED 7
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 98
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 26.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 14.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 2451
    Screen Specs Canon SX20 Nikon Z9
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.80x
    Viewfinder Resolution 202k dots 3690k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 2089k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Fully flexible screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Canon SX20 Nikon Z9
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/3200s 1/32000s
    Continuous Shooting 0.7 shutter flaps/s 30 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/32000s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationLens-based stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards CFexB or XQD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Canon SX20 Nikon Z9
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.2
    HDMI Port YES HDMI full HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Geotagging no internal GPS GPS built-in
    Body Specs Canon SX20 Nikon Z9
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Canon 4xAA Nikon EN-EL18d
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 123 x 88 x 87 mm
    (4.8 x 3.5 x 3.4 in)
    149 x 150 x 91 mm
    (5.9 x 5.9 x 3.6 in)
    Camera Weight 600 g (21.2 oz) 1340 g (47.3 oz)
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