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Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
19
Overall
27
Canon PowerShot A800 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Canon A800
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 186g - 94 x 61 x 31mm
  • Released January 2011
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
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Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Canon A800 versus Sony HX20V, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the A800 (10MP) and HX20V (18MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A800 was introduced 18 months before the HX20V which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the A800 grades vs the HX20V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A800 over the Sony HX20V

 A800 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Canon A800

 HX20V A800 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2011Fresher by 18 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k115kSharper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Canon A800 and Sony HX20V

 A800 HX20V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon A800 features physical dimensions of 94mm x 61mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 186 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A800 versus Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the A800 compared to the HX20V.

Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A800 and HX20V is 93 and 90 respectively.

Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The photograph here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A800 and HX20V.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Sony HX20V to produce more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older A800 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A800
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
25
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
45
focusing manually
good resolution (18MP)
has face detection focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A800
Street photography with Sony HX20V
46
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A800 Sports photography factors
Sony HX20V Sports photography factors
29
includes tracking focus
better than average battery life (300 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A800
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
55
better than average battery life (300 shots)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A800 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
26
better than average battery life (300 per charge)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
small screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
50
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A800 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX20V as a Vlogging camera
24
includes face detect focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic support
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
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Canon A800 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A800 and Sony HX20V
 Canon PowerShot A800Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot A800 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-01-05 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 3 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-122mm (3.3x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 115k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 186 grams (0.41 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 61 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 320 photos
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $90 $397