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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX30 IS
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A99
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony A900, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and A900 (25MP) and the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and A900 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The SX20 IS was revealed 21 months later than the A900 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the A900 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony A900

 SX20 IS A900 
LaunchedJuly 2010October 2008Fresher by 21 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Canon SX20 IS

 A900 SX20 IS 
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony A900

 SX20 IS A900 
Manually focus More exact focus
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS comes with exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony A900 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX20 IS vs the A900.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and A900 is 65 and 54 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The graphic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and A900.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX20 IS with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony A900 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 13MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger SX20 IS will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Sony A900
37
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
71
manual focus
high sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony A900 as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than competitors (600 grams)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Sony A900
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography highlights
Sony A900 Travel photography highlights
53
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (600g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
54
environment sealing
high sensor resolution (25MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography information
Sony A900 Landscape photography information
35
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
72
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
no liveview feature
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging advice
Sony A900 Vlogging advice
50
decently wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (600 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony A900
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-07-06 2008-10-22
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CCD 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 12MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 0cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 seconds 1/250 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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lb) 895 gr (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots One 2
Launch cost $500 $2,736