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Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Ricoh CX2 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
35
Overall
33

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 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
  • Announced July 2010
  • Superseded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX30 IS
Ricoh CX2
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Canon SX20 IS and Ricoh CX2, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Ricoh. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and CX2 (9MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was manufactured 11 months after the CX2 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Ricoh CX2 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the CX2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Ricoh CX2

 SX20 IS CX2 
IntroducedJuly 2010August 2009Newer by 11 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX2 over the Canon SX20 IS

 CX2 SX20 IS 
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Ricoh CX2

 SX20 IS CX2 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS has exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Ricoh CX2 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check the Canon SX20 IS and Ricoh CX2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX20 IS vs the CX2.

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and CX2 is 65 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specs. The image below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and CX2.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX20 IS to resolve more detail due to its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer SX20 IS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography information
Ricoh CX2 Portrait photography information
37
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
25
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Ricoh CX2 Street photography advice
49
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than average in class (600 grams)
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography features
Ricoh CX2 Sports photography features
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
26
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (9MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography info
Ricoh CX2 Travel photography info
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (600 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competition in class (185g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long zoom (300mm)
low MP (9MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography features
Ricoh CX2 Landscape photography features
35
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
low MP (9 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging features
Ricoh CX2 Vlogging features
50
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
heavier than average in class (600 grams)
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (185g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Ricoh CX2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Ricoh CX2
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISRicoh CX2
General Information
Brand Name Canon Ricoh
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Ricoh CX2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2009-08-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Smooth Imaging Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focus distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 3.00 m (ISO 400)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE 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
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 600g (1.32 lbs) 185g (0.41 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 DB-70
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $500 $341