Clicky

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS

Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
76
Overall
61
Canon PowerShot G3 X front
 
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS Key Specs

Canon G3 X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 733g - 123 x 77 x 105mm
  • Released June 2015
Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2016
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Canon G3 X versus Canon SX420 IS, former being a Large Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Canon. The sensor resolution of the G3 X (20MP) and the SX420 IS (20MP) is relatively close but the G3 X (1") and SX420 IS (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The G3 X was launched 6 months prior to the SX420 IS and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the G3 X matches up versus the SX420 IS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon G3 X over the Canon SX420 IS

 G3 X SX420 IS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k230kSharper screen (+1390k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon G3 X

 SX420 IS G3 X 

Common features in the Canon G3 X and Canon SX420 IS

 G3 X SX420 IS 
AnnouncedJune 2015January 2016Same age
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Canon G3 X enjoys outer dimensions of 123mm x 77mm x 105mm (4.8" x 3.0" x 4.1") having a weight of 733 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Canon SX420 IS has specifications of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Analyze the Canon G3 X versus Canon SX420 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the G3 X versus the SX420 IS.

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the G3 X and SX420 IS is 60 and 80 respectively.

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The photograph here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the G3 X and SX420 IS.

All in all, both of these cameras provide the same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The G3 X comes with the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field simpler.

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS sensor size comparison

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon G3 X
Portrait photography with Canon SX420 IS
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Canon G3 X as a Street photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Street photography camera
73
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
weather proof
52
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Canon G3 X Sports photography info
Canon SX420 IS Sports photography info
59
amazing zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
low fps (5.9 frames per second)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
no phase detect AF
41
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
max frames per second low (0.5 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (195 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon G3 X Travel photography advice
Canon SX420 IS Travel photography advice
65
weather proof
comes with focus via touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
resolution is good (20MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (195 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Canon G3 X Landscape photography info
Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography info
63
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
47
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery pack (195 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Canon G3 X Vlogging info
Canon SX420 IS Vlogging info
69
decently wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
29
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon G3 X vs Canon SX420 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G3 X and Canon SX420 IS
 Canon PowerShot G3 XCanon PowerShot SX420 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot G3 X Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Category Large Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2015-06-18 2016-01-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 DIGIC 4+
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 31 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-600mm (25.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/3.5-6.6
Macro focusing range 5cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,620 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.9 frames/s 0.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m (with Auto ISO) 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 733 grams (1.62 pounds) 325 grams (0.72 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 77 x 105mm (4.8" x 3.0" x 4.1") 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 521 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 195 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $849 $299