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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Key Specs

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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Older Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
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
  • Introduced January 2016
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both created by Canon. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and SX420 IS (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was announced 6 years prior to the SX420 IS which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the SX20 IS scores versus the SX420 IS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX420 IS

 SX20 IS SX420 IS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX420 IS SX20 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2016July 2010More modern by 66 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX420 IS

 SX20 IS SX420 IS 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS offers external measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Canon SX420 IS has sizing of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Check the Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SX20 IS and the SX420 IS.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and SX420 IS is 65 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The image below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and SX420 IS.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon SX420 IS to give you greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography details
Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography details
37
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
44
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Canon SX420 IS
49
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competition in class (600 grams)
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX420 IS
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
41
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
slow fps (0.5 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX420 IS Travel photography info
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (600g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
decent megapixels (20MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Landscape photography camera
35
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
47
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging info
Canon SX420 IS Vlogging info
50
reasonably wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
heavier than competition in class (600g)
29
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX420 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISCanon PowerShot SX420 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2016-01-05
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-6.6
Macro focusing distance 0cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 0.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 325 grams (0.72 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 195 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $500 $299