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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Later Model is Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX10V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX30V
Photography Glossary

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was brought out 24 months earlier than the HX20V which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX20 IS grades versus the HX20V for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony HX20V

 SX20 IS HX20V 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Canon SX20 IS

 HX20V SX20 IS 
IntroducedJuly 2012July 2010Fresher by 24 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX20V

 SX20 IS HX20V 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX20 IS offers external 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 HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony HX20V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the HX20V.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and HX20V is 65 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The visual here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and HX20V.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Sony HX20V to offer extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older SX20 IS is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography information
Sony HX20V Portrait photography information
37
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
45
manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
has face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Sony HX20V Street photography advice
49
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography factors
Sony HX20V Sports photography factors
34
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (600g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Sony HX20V Landscape photography details
35
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
50
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging details
Sony HX20V Vlogging details
50
pretty wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
more heavy than competition (600g)
34
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX20V
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2012-07-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 254g (0.56 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 life - 320 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
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
Cost at launch $500 $397