Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


71 Imaging
34 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Key Specs
(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
- Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
- Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 50 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
- Launched March 2009

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Overview
Below, we will be matching up the Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the X70 (12MP) is pretty close and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX20 IS was introduced 17 months after the X70 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SX20 IS grades against the X70 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Pentax X70. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Pentax X70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Pentax X70
SX20 IS | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2010 | ![]() | March 2009 | Newer by 17 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SX20 IS
X70 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Pentax X70
SX20 IS | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch screen |
Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys external dimensions 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 Pentax X70 has measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SX20 IS vs the X70.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and X70 is 65 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The image here should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and X70.
To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you should always take the production date of the cameras into account. The more modern SX20 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Pentax X70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Pentax X70 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2010-07-06 | 2009-03-02 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 50 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 26-624mm (24.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.80 m | 9.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/500 secs | - |
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600 grams (1.32 lbs) | 410 grams (0.90 lbs) |
Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $500 | $200 |