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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX30 IS
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released July 2010
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was introduced around the same time to the WX5 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX20 IS scores against the WX5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony WX5

 SX20 IS WX5 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Canon SX20 IS

 WX5 SX20 IS 
Screen dimensions2.8"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony WX5

 SX20 IS WX5 
ReleasedJuly 2010July 2010Same age
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS offers external measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony WX5 has sizing of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX20 IS vs the WX5.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and WX5 is 65 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and WX5.

As you have seen, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP so you can expect comparable quality of pictures but you should consider the age of the cameras into account.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Portrait photography camera
37
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography features
Sony WX5 Street photography features
49
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition (600 grams)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography highlights
Sony WX5 Sports photography highlights
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
Travel photography with Sony WX5
53
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (600 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony WX5 Landscape photography advice
35
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
37
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Sony WX5
50
rather wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competition (600g)
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no mic socket
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Canon SX20 IS vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony WX5
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-06 2010-07-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 2.8 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 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) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 146 grams (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $500 $250