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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX30 IS
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony W550, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was released 12 months before the W550 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the W550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony W550

 SX20 IS W550 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon SX20 IS

 W550 SX20 IS 
AnnouncedJuly 2011July 2010More modern by 12 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony W550

 SX20 IS W550 
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS offers external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony W550 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony W550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX20 IS and the W550.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and W550 is 65 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by going over specs. The image underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and W550.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Sony W550 to offer more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W550 as a Portrait photography camera
37
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography info
Sony W550 Street photography info
49
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (600 grams)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography highlights
Sony W550 Sports photography highlights
34
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W550 as a Travel photography camera
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (600 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Sony W550 Landscape photography details
35
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
42
fairly wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging advice
Sony W550 Vlogging advice
50
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (600g)
29
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony W550
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2010-07-06 2011-07-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 pounds) 110g (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 ID 4 x AA NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media 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 -
Retail price $500 $119