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Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Fujifilm FinePix S8500 front
Portability
61
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39

Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 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
  • Released July 2010
  • Older Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Fujifilm S8500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/7000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1104mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 670g - 123 x 87 x 116mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Canon SX20 IS and Fujifilm S8500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and FujiFilm. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and Fujifilm S8500 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX20 IS was announced 3 years before the Fujifilm S8500 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX20 IS scores against the Fujifilm S8500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Fujifilm S8500

 SX20 IS Fujifilm S8500 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Fujifilm S8500 over the Canon SX20 IS

 Fujifilm S8500 SX20 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2010Newer by 30 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Fujifilm S8500

 SX20 IS Fujifilm S8500 
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS has outside measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Fujifilm S8500 has measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 116mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.6") accompanied by a weight of 670 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check the Canon SX20 IS and Fujifilm S8500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX20 IS and the Fujifilm S8500.

Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and Fujifilm S8500 is 65 and 61 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through technical specs. The pic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and Fujifilm S8500.

As you can tell, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Fujifilm S8500 to show extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography advice
Fujifilm S8500 Portrait photography advice
37
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
31
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography factors
Fujifilm S8500 Street photography factors
49
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competition (670 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography details
Fujifilm S8500 Sports photography details
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
52
long zoom range (24-1104mm 46.0 x zoom)
high shutter speed (1/7,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Fujifilm S8500 as a Travel photography camera
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (1104mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (670 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Fujifilm S8500 as a Landscape photography camera
35
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging factors
Fujifilm S8500 Vlogging factors
50
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
24
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (670g)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Fujifilm S8500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Fujifilm S8500
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISFujifilm FinePix S8500
General Information
Company Canon FujiFilm
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Fujifilm FinePix S8500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1104mm (46.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.9-6.5
Macro focusing distance 0cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT color LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/7000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 secs -
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 (60 fps), 320 x 120 (480 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lbs) 670 gr (1.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 123 x 87 x 116mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $500 $500