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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX30 IS
Sony W510
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 54 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony W510, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the W510 (12MP) is fairly similar and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was manufactured 6 months before the W510 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W510 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX20 IS grades vs the W510 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony W510

 SX20 IS W510 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony W510 over the Canon SX20 IS

 W510 SX20 IS 
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony W510

 SX20 IS W510 
RevealedJuly 2010January 2011Similar generation
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS features physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony W510 has proportions of 96mm x 54mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") and a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony W510 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SX20 IS and the W510.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and W510 is 65 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and W510.

As you can tell, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you should expect similar quality of files however you really should factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony W510 Portrait photography factors
37
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography highlights
Sony W510 Street photography highlights
49
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than others in class (600g)
57
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography information
Sony W510 Sports photography information
34
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
Travel photography with Sony W510
53
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (600 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony W510 Landscape photography advice
35
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
32
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W510 as a Vlogging camera
50
quite wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
heavier than others in class (600 grams)
29
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W510 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony W510
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2010-07-06 2011-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 0cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m 2.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500s -
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 119g (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 96 x 54 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $500 $99