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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Z7 front
Portability
62
Imaging
79
Features
89
Overall
83

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Previous Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Nikon Z7
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Revealed August 2018
  • Updated by Nikon Z7 II
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and Z7 (46MP) and the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and Z7 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SX20 IS was brought out 9 years before the Z7 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon Z7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a short view of how the SX20 IS grades vs the Z7 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon Z7

 SX20 IS Z7 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 over the Canon SX20 IS

 Z7 SX20 IS 
RevealedAugust 2018July 2010More modern by 99 months
Display sizing3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution2100k230kCrisper display (+1870k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon Z7

 SX20 IS Z7 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS features physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Nikon Z7 has dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SX20 IS versus the Z7.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and Z7 is 65 and 62 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and Z7.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SX20 IS due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Nikon Z7 will give more detail having its extra 34MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon Z7 Portrait photography highlights
37
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
87
manual focus
great resolution (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Nikon Z7 Street photography advice
49
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than average in class (600 grams)
79
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts touch focus
environment proof
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography features
Nikon Z7 Sports photography features
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
83
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography highlights
Nikon Z7 Travel photography highlights
53
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (600g)
MP count low (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
great resolution (46 megapixels)
bad battery pack (330 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon Z7
35
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
83
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (46 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Nikon Z7
50
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (600g)
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Z7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon Z7
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Z7
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Z7
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-07-06 2018-08-23
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Expeed 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 46MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 8256 x 5504
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 493
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Nikon Z
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus range 0cm -
Amount of lenses - 15
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 2,100 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,690 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.8x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lb) 675 gr (1.49 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 99
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 2668
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus XQD card
Card slots One One
Price at release $500 $2,797