Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


91 Imaging
43 Features
60 Overall
49
Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Sony HX80 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony HX80
SX20 IS | HX80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Canon SX20 IS
HX80 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2016 | ![]() | July 2010 | More modern by 69 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX80 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Sony 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 |