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Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS

Portability
62
Imaging
77
Features
88
Overall
81
Canon EOS R front
 
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS Key Specs

Canon R
(Full Review)
  • 30MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 40000 (Push to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Canon RF Mount
  • 660g - 136 x 98 x 84mm
  • Revealed September 2018
Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Old Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX30 IS
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Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Canon R and Canon SX20 IS, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Canon. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the R (30MP) and SX20 IS (12MP) and the R (Full frame) and SX20 IS (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The R was launched 8 years after the SX20 IS which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the R matches up against the SX20 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon R over the Canon SX20 IS

 R SX20 IS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018July 2010More modern by 100 months
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2100k230kSharper screen (+1870k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon R

 SX20 IS R 

Common features in the Canon R and Canon SX20 IS

 R SX20 IS 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon R comes with external dimensions of 136mm x 98mm x 84mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.3") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) while the Canon SX20 IS has proportions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Canon R and Canon SX20 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the R vs the SX20 IS.

Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the R and SX20 IS is 62 and 65 respectively.

Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to see the gap in sensor sizes just by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the R and SX20 IS.

Clearly, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The R due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Canon R will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more recent R is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS sensor size comparison

Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon R as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX20 IS as a Portrait photography camera
86
focusing manually
excellent megapixels (30MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
37
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon R Street photography advice
Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
73
screen can move to multiple angles
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (40,000)
lack of image stabilization
49
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon R as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX20 IS as a Sports photography camera
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent megapixels (30MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low battery (370 CIPA)
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon R
Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
73
weather proofing
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
excellent megapixels (30MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery (370 per charge)
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon R Landscape photography factors
Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography factors
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Canon RF mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
excellent megapixels (30MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (40,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
low battery (370 per charge)
35
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon R as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
73
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
has face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone port
lack of image stabilization
50
quite wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
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Canon R vs Canon SX20 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R and Canon SX20 IS
 Canon EOS RCanon PowerShot SX20 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model Canon EOS R Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2018-09-05 2010-07-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Digic 4
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 30 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6720 x 4480 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 40000 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 5655 9
Lens
Lens mount Canon RF fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus distance - 0cm
Amount of lenses 17 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3.2" 2.5"
Display resolution 2,100 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.80 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/500 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 480 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (with LP-E6N only) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 660g (1.46 lb) 600g (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 98 x 84mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.3") 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 89 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 2742 not tested
Other
Battery life 370 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD card (UHS-II supported) SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus
Storage slots One One
Retail price $2,299 $500