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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
60
Overall
49

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 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
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced March 2016
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX80, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and HX80 (18MP) but they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was revealed 6 years earlier than the HX80 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the SX20 IS scores against the HX80 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony HX80

 SX20 IS HX80 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Canon SX20 IS

 HX80 SX20 IS 
IntroducedMarch 2016July 2010More modern by 69 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX80

 SX20 IS HX80 
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX20 IS offers physical dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony HX80 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SX20 IS vs the HX80.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and HX80 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and HX80.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony HX80 to provide greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony HX80 Portrait photography factors
37
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
39
good MP (18MP)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Sony HX80
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (600g)
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography factors
Sony HX80 Sports photography factors
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery (390 CIPA)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography highlights
Sony HX80 Travel photography highlights
53
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
76
better than average battery (390 shots)
lighter than average in class (245g)
good MP (18MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Landscape photography camera
35
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
49
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
better than average battery (390 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Sony HX80
50
really wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
75
quite wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX80
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2016-03-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Bionz X
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 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 secs -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lbs) 245g (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" 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 - 390 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $500 $368