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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Alpha A7R II front
Portability
68
Imaging
76
Features
84
Overall
79

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II 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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Superseded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX30 IS
Sony A7R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 625g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Older Model is Sony A7R
  • Updated by Sony A7R III
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and A7R II (42MP) and the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and A7R II (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The SX20 IS was revealed 5 years earlier than the A7R II and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7R II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the A7R II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony A7R II

 SX20 IS A7R II 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7R II over the Canon SX20 IS

 A7R II SX20 IS 
IntroducedJune 2015July 2010Fresher by 60 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony A7R II

 SX20 IS A7R II 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys outside dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R II has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") having a weight of 625 grams (1.38 lbs).

Check the Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SX20 IS vs the A7R II.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and A7R II is 65 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The graphic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and A7R II.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX20 IS with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A7R II will resolve more detail because of its extra 30MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The older SX20 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography info
Sony A7R II Portrait photography info
37
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
85
has manual focus
excellent MP (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography information
Sony A7R II Street photography information
49
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than others in class (600 grams)
81
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography advice
Sony A7R II Sports photography advice
34
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 fps)
bad battery power (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography highlights
Sony A7R II Travel photography highlights
53
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (600 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
62
environment sealing
excellent MP (42MP)
bad battery power (290 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography factors
Sony A7R II Landscape photography factors
35
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery power (290 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R II as a Vlogging camera
50
decently wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (600g)
37
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A7R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony A7R II
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Alpha A7R II
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Alpha A7R II
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-07-06 2015-06-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 7974 x 5316
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 399
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus range 0cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 625 grams (1.38 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 98
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.9
DXO Low light score not tested 3434
Other
Battery life - 290 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $2,913