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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Superseded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced September 2018
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 Overview

Here is a extensive overview of the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and HX99 (18MP) and the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) come with different sensor sizes.

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The SX20 IS was brought out 9 years earlier than the HX99 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX99 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SX20 IS scores against the HX99 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony HX99

 SX20 IS HX99 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Canon SX20 IS

 HX99 SX20 IS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018July 2010Fresher by 99 months
Screen sizing3.00"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX99

 SX20 IS HX99 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS has physical dimensions 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 HX99 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony HX99 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SX20 IS vs the HX99.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and HX99 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The photograph below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and HX99.

To sum up, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SX20 IS because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony HX99 will show extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older SX20 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony HX99 Portrait photography factors
37
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
53
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Sony HX99 Street photography advice
49
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
77
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (242 grams)
small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography features
Sony HX99 Sports photography features
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
58
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization
MP count good (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (360 shots)
small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Travel photography camera
53
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
76
better than average battery power (360 per charge)
lighter than average in class (242g)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography factors
Sony HX99 Landscape photography factors
35
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
58
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3.00 inch)
built in image stabilization
MP count good (18MP)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (360 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging details
Sony HX99 Vlogging details
50
quite wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
76
quite wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than average in class (242g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of external mic jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony HX99
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2018-09-01
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor dimensions 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
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 0cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5" 3.00"
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 pounds) 242 gr (0.53 pounds)
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 - 360 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $500 $469