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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Introduced March 2009
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
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX30 IS
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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX20 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are designed by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX1 IS (10MP) and the SX20 IS (12MP) is relatively similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was manufactured 15 months earlier than the SX20 IS which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SX1 IS matches up versus the SX20 IS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX1 IS SX20 IS 
Screen dimension2.8"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX1 IS

 SX20 IS SX1 IS 
AnnouncedJuly 2010March 2009More modern by 15 months

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX20 IS

 SX1 IS SX20 IS 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX1 IS has got exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Canon SX20 IS has dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX20 IS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX1 IS compared to the SX20 IS.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and SX20 IS is 64 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes merely by going over specs. The pic underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX1 IS and SX20 IS.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SX20 IS to offer extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography info
46
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500s)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
37
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
56
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (615 grams)
49
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX20 IS as a Sports photography camera
33
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (4.0 fps)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
34
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX20 IS Travel photography highlights
52
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (615g)
MP count low (10MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography highlights
44
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (2.8")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse mode
35
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging info
Canon SX20 IS Vlogging info
57
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no mic support
heavier than competition (615g)
50
decently wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX20 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISCanon PowerShot SX20 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-03-27 2010-07-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Digic 4
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus distance 0cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.8 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 secs 1/500 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 615 gr (1.36 lbs) 600 gr (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $600 $500