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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Alpha a6000 front
Portability
85
Imaging
65
Features
78
Overall
70

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Sony A6000
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 51200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 344g - 120 x 67 x 45mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-6
  • Updated by Sony A6300
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony A6000, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and A6000 (24MP) and the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and A6000 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The SX20 IS was introduced 4 years earlier than the A6000 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A6000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the A6000 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony A6000

 SX20 IS A6000 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A6000 over the Canon SX20 IS

 A6000 SX20 IS 
LaunchedApril 2014July 2010Newer by 46 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony A6000

 SX20 IS A6000 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony A6000 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 45mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.8") with a weight of 344 grams (0.76 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony A6000 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX20 IS against the A6000.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and A6000 is 65 and 85 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and A6000.

As you can see, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SX20 IS having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony A6000 will resolve more detail using its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Sony A6000
37
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
79
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Sony A6000
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than others (600g)
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average in class (344g)
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography features
Sony A6000 Sports photography features
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
72
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony A6000 as a Travel photography camera
53
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (600g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
77
lighter than average in class (344g)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Sony A6000 Landscape photography details
35
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony A6000 Vlogging highlights
50
relatively wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than others (600 grams)
33
features face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (344 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have external mic support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A6000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony A6000
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Alpha a6000
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Alpha a6000
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2010-07-06 2014-04-23
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 179
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 0cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction, hi-speed sync, wireless control
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lb) 344 grams (0.76 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 120 x 67 x 45mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life - 360 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $548