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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Old Model is Canon SX40 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX60 HS
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Canon SX20 IS versus Canon SX50 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both built by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the SX50 HS (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was manufactured 3 years prior to the SX50 HS which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the SX20 IS scores against the SX50 HS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX50 HS

 SX20 IS SX50 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX50 HS SX20 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2010More modern by 30 months
Screen size2.8"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX50 HS

 SX20 IS SX50 HS 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS has physical dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Canon SX50 HS has sizing of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX20 IS versus Canon SX50 HS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX20 IS and the SX50 HS.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and SX50 HS is 65 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at specifications. The image below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and SX50 HS.

To sum up, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels so you can expect similar quality of files however you might want to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX50 HS
37
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
48
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX50 HS as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than others (600 grams)
57
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX50 HS
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
39
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography information
Canon SX50 HS Travel photography information
53
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (600 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (595 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX50 HS
35
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
45
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (2.8")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SX50 HS Vlogging factors
50
relatively wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than others (600 grams)
58
pretty wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition (595 grams)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX50 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Canon SX50 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISCanon PowerShot SX50 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2013-01-15
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Digic 5
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.4-6.5
Macro focus distance 0cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 2.8 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 202k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 595 grams (1.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 179
Other
Battery life - 315 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NB-10L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $500 $429