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Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Pentax X70
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Pentax X70

 SX20 IS X70 
LaunchedJuly 2010March 2009Newer by 17 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SX20 IS

 X70 SX20 IS 
Screen dimension2.7"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 resolution230k230kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax X70
37
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography info
Pentax X70 Street photography info
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than average (600g)
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography factors
Pentax X70 Sports photography factors
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
50
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Travel photography camera
53
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
really wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than average (600g)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
great zoom (624mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography factors
Pentax X70 Landscape photography factors
35
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
35
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging information
Pentax X70 Vlogging information
50
really wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than average (600g)
24
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Pentax X70
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPentax 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