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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 110 IS
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
  • Released July 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX10V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX30V
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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Canon SD960 IS versus Sony HX20V, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD960 IS (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was revealed 4 years before the HX20V and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the SD960 IS grades versus the HX20V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Sony HX20V

 SD960 IS HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Canon SD960 IS

 HX20V SD960 IS 
ReleasedJuly 2012February 2009Fresher by 41 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Sony HX20V

 SD960 IS HX20V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SD960 IS features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Canon SD960 IS versus Sony HX20V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SD960 IS vs the HX20V.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SD960 IS and HX20V is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading through technical specs. The graphic below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD960 IS and HX20V.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony HX20V to resolve more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older SD960 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX20V Portrait photography highlights
26
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
44
focusing manually
good megapixels (18MP)
features face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (254 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Sports photography information
Sony HX20V Sports photography information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Travel photography features
Sony HX20V Travel photography features
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others in class (254g)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
36
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (2.8 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse function
50
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony HX20V Vlogging highlights
30
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (254g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no microphone socket
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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Sony HX20V
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Alternative name Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-18 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 2cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 145 gr (0.32 lb) 254 gr (0.56 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 320 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-4L NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost - $397