Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung ST30
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


98 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26
Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung ST30 Key Specs
(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
- Older Model is Canon SX10 IS
- Newer Model is Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 0 - 0
- 640 x 480 video
- ()mm (F) lens
- 87g - 82 x 52 x 17mm
- Introduced January 2011

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung ST30 Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon SX20 IS and Samsung ST30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Samsung. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the ST30 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and ST30 (1/3") have totally different sensor sizing.

The SX20 IS was revealed 6 months prior to the ST30 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung ST30 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SX20 IS grades versus the ST30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung ST30 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Samsung ST30. The full galleries are available at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Samsung ST30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Samsung ST30
SX20 IS | ST30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Canon SX20 IS
ST30 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Samsung ST30
SX20 IS | ST30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2010 | ![]() | January 2011 | Same age |
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung ST30 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS features exterior 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) and the Samsung ST30 has sizing of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX20 IS and Samsung ST30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the ST30.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and ST30 is 65 and 98 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung ST30 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and ST30.
As you can tell, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SX20 IS with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Canon SX20 IS will provide more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs more aggressively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung ST30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung ST30 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Samsung ST30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Samsung |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Samsung ST30 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2010-07-06 | 2011-01-19 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 4.8 x 3.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 17.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | - |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | () |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | - |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 7.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.80 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 640 x 480 |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | H.264 | - |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600g (1.32 lb) | 87g (0.19 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 82 x 52 x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") |
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 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | - |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $500 | $55 |