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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Revealed September 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX20 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX40 HS
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX30 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both built by Canon. The resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the SX30 IS (14MP) is pretty close and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was announced 2 months before the SX30 IS so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SX20 IS grades vs the SX30 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX30 IS

 SX20 IS SX30 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX30 IS SX20 IS 
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX30 IS

 SX20 IS SX30 IS 
RevealedJuly 2010September 2010Same generation
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS comes with exterior dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Canon SX30 IS has proportions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") along with a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX30 IS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX20 IS against the SX30 IS.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and SX30 IS is 65 and 64 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The visual here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and SX30 IS.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX30 IS to provide you with more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography info
37
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
42
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography details
Canon SX30 IS Street photography details
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than average in class (600g)
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (601 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX30 IS
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
43
long zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX30 IS as a Travel photography camera
53
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (600 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (840mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (601 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography information
Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography information
35
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX30 IS Vlogging features
50
reasonably wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
heavier than average in class (600 grams)
50
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (601 grams)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX30 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX30 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISCanon PowerShot SX30 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2010-09-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
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 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.7-5.8
Macro focus distance 0cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 601 grams (1.32 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 NB-7L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $500 $400