Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 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
- Launched July 2010
- Earlier Model is Canon SX10 IS
- Renewed by Canon SX30 IS
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony W550
SX20 IS | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon SX20 IS
W550 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | More modern by 12 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony W550
SX20 IS | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony W550 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Sony 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 |