Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37
54 Imaging
66 Features
62 Overall
64
Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 Key Specs
(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
(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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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 GlossaryThe 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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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. The full galleries are available at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Sony A900 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony A900
| SX20 IS | A900 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | July 2010 | October 2008 | Fresher by 21 months | |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Selfie screen | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Canon SX20 IS
| A900 | SX20 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen sizing | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
| Screen resolution | 922k | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A900 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Sony 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 |