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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 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
  • Revealed March 2009
Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Revealed January 2016
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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Canon SX1 IS versus Canon SX420 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are built by Canon. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and SX420 IS (20MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was announced 7 years before the SX420 IS and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX1 IS scores vs the SX420 IS for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Canon SX420 IS

 SX1 IS SX420 IS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon SX1 IS

 SX420 IS SX1 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2016March 2009Fresher by 82 months
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX420 IS

 SX1 IS SX420 IS 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX1 IS enjoys exterior dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Canon SX420 IS has dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX1 IS versus Canon SX420 IS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SX1 IS compared to the SX420 IS.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and SX420 IS is 64 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to see the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The visual here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX1 IS and SX420 IS.

All in all, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX420 IS to provide you with greater detail with its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older SX1 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
44
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography info
Canon SX420 IS Street photography info
56
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others (615 grams)
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography features
Canon SX420 IS Sports photography features
33
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
41
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
very slow continuous shooting (0.5 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (195 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Travel photography camera
52
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others (615g)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
good MP (20MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (195 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography details
44
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
47
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery pack (195 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Vlogging camera
57
relatively wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no mic jack
heavier than others (615g)
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX420 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISCanon PowerShot SX420 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-03-27 2016-01-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - DIGIC 4+
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-6.6
Macro focus range 0cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 0.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 615 grams (1.36 lbs) 325 grams (0.72 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3")
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 life - 195 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $600 $299